The Denver Broncos’ ground game has shown more positive signs this fall than it has in many years, and quarterback Bo Nix is stressing the importance of running the ball.
The Broncos rushed for over 175 yards for the second time this season last Sunday, and like the first instance when they achieved that mark, it was a blowout win for Denver at Empower Field. The Broncos have already rushed for 1,102 yards as a team, which places them third in the NFL. And when you consider that the season isn’t even at the halfway point and the team has failed to rush for 2,000 yards as a team in any entire season over the last three years, it’s a massive step forward for the team.
In four of the last five games encompassing the team’s winning streak, the team has surpassed 130 yards on the ground. Both J.K. Dobbins, getting a second 100-yard rushing game of the season, and RJ Harvey, tallying a three-touchdown day, have had standout moments. Coupled with Nix’s own ability to run, gives Sean Payton many options to kickstart the Broncos’ attack. Though Nix hasn’t had to run nearly as much as his rookie season, where he gained 35 or more yards on the ground six times, he’s hit that mark just once this year.
“It goes back and proves that when we do well early in the drive by getting a few first downs and we run the ball efficiently in drives, we can turn it into points,” Nix said. “When you run the ball, it’s really important.”
Only seven teams have scored more points than the Broncos so far, and if the last five quarters of scoring 77 points are any indication, the team may have finally hit its stride on offense.
The Broncos will see if that proves true on Sunday, when they travel to Houston to face the Texans.