October 11th 2024.
When it comes to the NFL, there's nothing quite like a good-on-good matchup. These matchups are the ones that you just can't miss on TV. But, as we all know, sometimes it's the good-on-bad matchups that end up determining the outcome of the game. This was certainly the case for the Denver Broncos as they prepared to face off against the Los Angeles Chargers. In order to continue their winning streak and come out on top, the Broncos knew they would have to step up their game in a particular area where they were not expected to excel: the offensive red zone.
It's no secret that the Broncos have struggled in the red zone this season. In fact, they are currently tied for 27th in the league with a 43.8% red zone touchdown rate. This may not come as a surprise to some, considering they have a rookie quarterback, Bo Nix, leading their offense. But in the fast-paced world of professional football, things can change quickly, especially when the field is compressed in the red zone. The Broncos have been able to reach the red zone with relative ease, but converting those opportunities into touchdowns has been a challenge.
So far this season, the Broncos have made 16 trips to the red zone, which puts them at an average of 15.6 red zone appearances per team in the league. However, they have only managed to convert 7 of those chances into touchdowns, which explains their lowly conversion rate and ranking. But there is some hope for the Broncos, as they have shown improvement in recent weeks. After a slow start, they have gone 6 for 9 in their last three games, which coincides with their three-game winning streak.
But the challenge only gets tougher as they face the Chargers, who have only allowed 9 red zone trips to their opponents in four games and have surrendered just 3 touchdowns. Head coach Sean Payton is well aware of the challenge ahead and is not underestimating the Chargers' strong red zone defense. He acknowledges that the Chargers are near the top of the league in this area and that their film from the preseason is a testament to their impressive performance.
One interesting aspect for the Broncos is the production of their running back tandem in the red zone. Javonte Williams has been on the rise in the past two weeks, but surprisingly, he has yet to score a touchdown this season. At 221 pounds, he is a powerful runner, but he hasn't been successful in converting red zone opportunities into touchdowns throughout his career. On the other hand, Jaleel McLaughlin, who weighs in at just 190 pounds, has managed to score 2 touchdowns in the red zone, one rushing and one receiving. Payton praises McLaughlin's contact balance, vision, and strength, which make him a difficult player to bring down in the red zone.
Overall, Williams has had 9 carries for 17 yards and 1 catch for 11 yards in the red zone, while McLaughlin has had 4 carries for 6 yards and 1 catch for 4 yards. But what sets McLaughlin apart is his ability to finish his touches in the end zone, with 2 out of 5 resulting in touchdowns. Interestingly, out of the 4 rushing touchdowns the Broncos have scored this season, Nix, their rookie quarterback, is responsible for 3 of them.
The Broncos are coming off one of their best red zone performances in recent years, scoring all 3 of their goal-to-go attempts in a 34-18 win against the Raiders. This was their first perfect outing in such a situation since 2022 and their first against a division opponent since 2021. However, the Chargers have only allowed 2 rushing touchdowns this season, which means the Broncos will have to work extra hard to find success in the red zone.
To make matters more challenging, the Broncos will be without their starting right tackle Matt Peart and backup center Alex Forsyth, as their backup right tackle Alex Palczewski and center Luke Wattenberg have been ruled out. Despite these obstacles, Payton remains focused on the task at hand and stresses the importance of knowing what it takes to win the game. As the Broncos prepare to face the Chargers, they are determined to continue their momentum and come out on top. Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to stay updated on all our NFL analysis.
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