Running the ball, playing physically along the offensive line and wearing down opposing defensive fronts (until they quit) goes against the tired narrative that the NFL is just a “passing league.”
However, in the playoffs, the teams that can utilize the run game to facilitate the entire offense usually advance and move on.
Take the Denver Broncos as they begin to prep for this Sunday’s AFC divisional-playoff matchup versus the Indianapolis Colts. Based on the tape I’ve watched, this team has become more balanced in the call sheet over the last two months of the regular season given the talent of running backs C.J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman and Juwan Thompson.
Plus, the Broncos will bring a sixth offensive lineman onto the field—along with tight end Virgil Green—to hit defenses right in the mouth. That’s big-boy football for a team that now doesn’t have to live and die on the arm of quarterback Peyton Manning to consistently make plays.
Yes, Manning is still one of the major keys to another Super Bowl run in Denver. We should all agree there. But the Broncos can also establish tempo in this system running the football out of multiple personnel groupings.Plus, we can’t discount the play-action passing in the Broncos’ game plan that allows Manning to target open receivers (versus both zone and man coverage) with the second-level defenders removed.
There is no question Manning has to make throws for this team to beat the Colts on Sunday and advance in the playoffs, but with Anderson and the run game, the quarterback doesn’t have to sling the ball all over the field for this team to win.
Yes, that goes against the narratives out there, but I see a different Broncos team this time around in the playoffs. It is stronger at the point of attack, and the game plan truly has balance when it focuses on running the ball with Anderson.
That sells in the postseason for a Denver offensive unit that is built to win in January.
How are the Broncos winning up front in the run game? Let’s start with their Ace/12 (2WR-2TE-1RB) “plus” personnel (bring a sixth offensive lineman on the field to replace a tight end).
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2320261-cj-andersons-broncos-arent-the-team-you-think-they-are
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