Broncos’ running game finally looked like it should — in the end

DENVER — It took until the fourth quarter, through a seemingly endless parade of fits and starts and collisions and runs into impenetrable thickets of humanity that seemed to go nowhere … but finally, the Denver Broncos’ running game looked like it was supposed to, like they hoped it would.

And most importantly, like they needed it to.

When RJ Harvey sprinted into the clear with an exquisitely-blocked 50-yard run after 50 minutes of play had passed Sunday, it happened.

It was the product of seven teammates working in harmony to create one lane. The result was gorgeous: a symphonic gallop the likes of which hasn’t been seen for the Broncos in years.

Three plays later, it happened again, with J.K. Dobbins the ball-carrying beneficiary.

Trautman and Alex Palczewski sealed to the right. Wattenberg and Meinerz took care of creating the left side of the crease. Then a stiff-arm from Dobbins, and the touchdown that put enough distance from the Titans to ensure a happy Sunday night and a task accomplished.

There was plenty of ugliness for the Broncos’ offense.

But by the fourth quarter, there was beauty on the ground.

“That’s the identity you want to have, is being able to wear a team out,” McGlinchey said.

Those opportunities might have come earlier. Should have come earlier. But, that ugliness. Those giveaways.

As McGlinchey saw it, the Broncos offense didn’t earn the right to establish the run earlier.

“I just didn’t think we got enough in enough of a rhythm offensively in the first half to commit to running the football to be able to impose our will on that team,” he said. “We turned the ball over far too much, we didn’t allow drives to even get started by not converting first downs.

“Four turnovers is egregious, and that has to stop. And when you turn the ball over four times, you don’t get the privilege of running the football like that because … you’re not staying on the field.

“And so, it’s a full team effort. We got to be able to be better there. Thank God we have the defense that we do. And we’ll get it cleaned up for next week.”

The defense bailed them out. And gave the offense a chance to show the progress of the spring and summer, to show that this overhauled run game, rebuilt from the studs, can indeed work.

 

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A SIGN THAT IT CAN WORK FOR THE BRONCOS

It’s been far too long since the Broncos had a ground game that could properly and consistently pull its weight. There have been spurts and bursts and occasional signs of progress, but in the last three years, they’ve been thoroughly mid — or worse.

They were 17th in the NFL in rushing EPA per play last year and in 2023. In the debacle that was the 2022 campaign, the Broncos ranked 28th.

Progress, yes. But considering that the Broncos were No. 1 in the league in run-blocking win rate last year, something was amiss.

For three quarters Sunday, it remained askew.

But one thing about zone-based-ground games is this: You have to be patient. Sometimes — especially against a front as stout as Tennessee’s — the haymakers aren’t going to be there immediately.

The problem for the Broncos early was that they weren’t in position to get it going.

Then, after the defense had pushed Tennessee out of field-goal range following Marvin Mims Jr.’s muffed punt return, it broke.

Ben Powers pulled right to join Mike McGlinchey in sealing the right flank. Luke Wattenberg and Garett Bolles created a wall to the left. Harvey burst through.

Then, Quinn Meinerz, Adam Trautman and Courtland Sutton were out in front, allowing the rookie to cut back to the left. All he had to do was make one tackler miss. And with that, he was off like a rocket into the open field.

The rookie RJ Harvey breaks free for 50-yard gain!

TENvsDEN on FOXhttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/XjSqE1ClGM

— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025

“I thought it was a great cut,” McGlinchey said. “The three-technique [Jeffrery Simmons] played out of the gap.

“Ben was the puller on the play and we had a combination from the three-technique to the end who Ben was supposed to kick out. And so they had two in a gap.

“He saw it, took it, and then his athletic ability took over. It was a great run.”

It wasn’t just a great run. It was a great PLAY. It was great BLOCKING. And great TEAMWORK.

Fifty yards later, Harvey had the Broncos’ longest run in 42 games — including playoffs. Shortly thereafter, Dobbins finished the job — and, as it turned out, finished off the Titans.

But of greater significance, they provided a glimpse of how the Broncos can win games going forward. Perhaps with fewer miscues, they won’t have to leave it until the final 10 minutes next time.

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