Pritchard: Broncos run defense deserves more credit than they get
Nov 26, 2018, 11:58 AM | Updated: 5:04 pm
Through 11 games, the Denver Broncos run defense ranks 24th in the NFL, giving up about 10 more yards per game than the league average (113.0).
But over the past five games, the Broncos defensive line has really come into its own, says “Pritchard and Cecil” co-host Mike Pritchard, and stuffed teams’ rushing attacks.
“You’re dominating up front, and that’s not highlighted enough,” Pritchard said.
AUDIO: (For more discussion on this, head to the 22:15 mark in the embedded video)
Since giving up back-to-back 250-plus yard games in Weeks 5 and 6, the Broncos have held opponents to less than 100 yards rushing in five consecutive weeks.
In those games, the Broncos are 2-3. But Denver gave no more than 22 points in a single game over that stretch, well below the league average of 24.1.
Pritchard said he isn’t calling the “new-look” Broncos defense all-world just yet, but stuffing the run has allowed for more creativity to creep into the team’s defensive scheme.
“The Broncos run defense has really allowed them to be creative on the back end, to do matchup stuff, to do combo man-zone stuff, to communicate, to have personnel on the field, and to make it more difficult on a quarterback,” Pritchard said.
A stout run defense is also perhaps the reason why the Pittsburgh Steelers threw the ball so much on Sunday, Pritchard said.
“I believe the Steelers looked at that and looked at that run defense on tape, and they said we’ve got to throw the ball. That’s why Roethlisberger had 31 passing attempts in the first half,” Pritchard said. “They weren’t even going to try to run the ball. They wanted to later on, but then the fumbles happened.
“So, that run defense is not getting a lot of credit, and I believe they should start getting more credit …”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
