Initial thoughts on the Broncos’ 30-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7 at State Farm Stadium:
1. Run, Sean! Run!: Amazing things happen when you step into the pocket, Bo Nix. The Broncos’ beleaguered QB1 broke a 6-6 open play in the second quarter by recognizing man coverage and taking off for what turned into a 62-yard touchdown run. Super Bo didn’t just make history for the longest run ever by a Broncos signal-caller. It also seemed to unlock an offense that had frustrated Broncos Country for nearly two months. The defending AFC West champions outscored Arizona 18-7 after Nix’s run, and even the screen game opened up. The running back trio of JK Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman began to control the clock. So why the hell did Sean Payton ruin the afternoon by taking a WR sweep through Jaylen Waddle with less than 5 minutes left and leading by two touchdowns? Waddle appeared to land awkwardly on his shoulder and had to go back inside for treatment. It’s Chiefs week, and the status of the Broncos’ biggest offseason acquisition is now likely in doubt.
2. Interference from Riley Moss? The Broncos needed some unlikely heroes on Sunday. Adam Prentice’s blocked punt changed the game. Rookie running back Jonah Coleman helped the offense stay on the field with a one-point lead in the second half. Malcolm Roach. Kris Abrams-Draine. The Broncos safeties, led by Brandon Jones, kept Fort Morgan native Trey McBride out of the end zone until the third quarter. But let’s give a hand to the referees, who were everywhere at State Farm Stadium, especially during the judging of Riley Moss. A first-half pass interference call on No. 21, after replay, seemed relatively clean. But Moss had a catch, as a contested No. 21 pass in the third quarter that looked pretty handy, conversely, didn’t draw a flag and took the Cards off the field.
3. Good to see you, Marvin Mims: Welcome to the party, Marvin Mims. It’s great to see you finding room to run again. Mims’ 68 return yards in the first half, including 60 on kickoff, were a season high with one half to play – and the most by No. 19 in a game since Dec. 21 against Jacksonville (83 yards). The Broncos’ first three practices began at the Denver 41, the Denver 29 and the Arizona 47. The shame? The Broncos offense essentially came back from two starts at midfield, absolutely golden opportunities on the road, with only two Wil Lutz field goals to show for it.
4. Stops in the red zone: It was the Broncos offense’s fault early on that the game was so close, and it was a credit to their defense that it was as close as it was for as long as it was. Vance Joseph’s D stoned the Cardinals twice inside the Denver 20, making the short field for the hosts even tighter. The Broncos entered the weekend tied for 11th in the NFL with the lowest opponent touchdown rate in the red zone (52.9%). The Cards, on the other hand, entered Week 7 ranked 27th in offensive touchdown conversion rate in the end zone (47.8%). And for an offense that has such a versatile and handy weapon in tight end Trey McBride, that’s an incredibly low touchdown ratio.
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