Broncos Analysis: Misery continues as defense allows career day by Todd Gurley

The Broncos (2-4) now play at Arizona on Thursday and at Kansas City in two weeks

  • Todd Gurley (30) of the Los ...
    Joe Amon, The Denver Post
    Todd Gurley (30) of the Los Angeles Rams evades a tackle by Darian Stewart (26) of the Denver Broncos during the third quarter. The Denver Broncos hosted the Los Angeles Rams at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
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Todd Gurley (30) of the Los Angeles Rams evades a tackle by Darian Stewart (26) of the Denver Broncos during the third quarter. The Denver Broncos hosted the Los Angeles Rams at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018.
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Denver Post Denver Broncos reporter Ryan ...
By | The Denver Post
UPDATED:

Remember the obituary written about the Broncos’ run defense last week after theNew York Jets ran by them, over them and around them for 323 yards?

A new and record-setting chapter was added during the Broncos’ 23-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Just two weeks ago, the Broncos’ rush defense was actually a strength, ranked fourth-best in the league. They have been exposed by the Jets and Rams.

Down 17 points in the third quarter, the Broncos twice made it a one-possession game only to seeTodd Gurley keep the Rams undefeated (6-0) by rushing 28 times for a career-high 208 yards. The Rams rushed for 270 yards. It’s the first time since 1978 an NFL team allowed at least 270 rushing yards in consecutive games and the first time in Broncos history.

BOX SCORE: Rams 23, Broncos 20

“We couldn’t get him slowed down,” Broncos coachVance Joseph said of Gurley, whose previous high was 159 yards. “That’s a major issue when you’re an NFL defense.”

The Broncos (2-4) have lost four consecutive games, further reminding everybody in the region about last year’s eight-game losing skid following a 3-1 start. That team had major issues they couldn’t fix. This team has major issues they recognize but may not have the roster to fix.

Many players said last week that the Broncos’ season was at a “cross-roads.” Actually, the season took another step toward cliff’s edge and is ready to tumble into nowhere-land if they lose Thursday at 1-5 Arizona.

“I don’t think it gets tougher and tougher (to rebound),” linebackerBrandon Marshall said. “As long as everybody stays together, each week is another opportunity. We’ve lost four in a row and it’s tough. But nobody needs to blink or flinch. We just have to go get a win.”

The Broncos’ road to a victory remains run game- and pass rush-based. They had one of the two against the Rams. The Broncos sacked quarterback Jared Goff five times, but again had to abandon the run game when they fell behind 13-3 at halftime and 20-3 midway through the third quarter.

The Rams had the luxury of sticking with a run game in general and with Gurley in particular.

Joseph said the Broncos’ defensive game plan was to play “shell” coverage, which allows for more defenders to play deep to help account for Goff and his stable of receivers. Something must be given up to gain something. In this case, the Broncos knew they would be susceptible against the Rams’ running game.

But not totally exposed.

“We knew we would be a little leaky in the run because the pass was our focus,” linebackerVon Miller said. “But 270 yards is just ridiculous.”

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Ridiculous because the Rams gained yards even when the Broncos knew Gurley was getting the football. Ridiculous because the same issues that plagued them against the Jets, guys in the wrong spots, happened again. And ridiculous because even when Gurley was hit at or behind the line, help was nowhere to be found and he clawed his way to a positive gain.

“I have to do better,” Miller said.

It is admirable for Miller to take things onto his shoulders, but also a stretch. When Miller goes against an offensive tackle, it is on him to win alone. The same for cornerbacks in tight coverage against receivers. But playing the run is different. It’s understanding the running back’s preferred path. It’s holding down the edge so players like Gurley have to cut back to the rest of the defense. It’s tackling well.

“(It’s) a mindset deal,” Joseph said. “(The statistics) are not nice to look at. We didn’t tackle well, we didn’t fit (the gaps) well. It goes back to having a mindset to stop the run. That’s two weeks in a row — unacceptable.”

Forty years ago, theBuffalo Bills allowed 309 yards at Cleveland and 279 to New England in consecutive games. The Broncos joined that club Sunday. It was also the 14th time in club history the defense allowed at least 270 yards … they dropped to 0-14 in those games.

Gurley had carries of 29, 26, 21 and 21 yards.

Leading the Broncos 20-13 with 8:54 remaining, the Rams had the kind of drive the Broncos strive for. A chance to put the game away.

Gurley carried five times in a six-play span, helping move the Rams from their 25 to the Broncos’ 24. On third-and-13, Goff threw 19 yards to Robert Woods to burn more clock. When the Broncos eventually got the football back, they were down 10 points and only 3:15 remained.

Gurley continued whatBilal Powell andIsaiah Crowell started last week for the Jets. The game tape should excite Arizona running backDavid Johnson, who is averaging only 3.2 yards per carry and hasn’t eclipsed 75 yards in any game this year. The Broncos don’t have much time until Thursday but they know what needs to be prioritized.

“Everybody has to be more stout,” Marshall said. “We have to do better. That’s two weeks in a row the run game just beat us.”

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