The Broncos’ offense last left their fans with the high-fiving and back-slapping of another game-winning Jason Elam field goal, the hard-driving running of Ron Dayne and a gutsy decision – and execution – of going for it on fourth down.
All of the above were signs of winning offensive football as Denver evened its record at 1-1 with a come-from-behind, 20-17 victory over visiting San Diego on Sunday. However, the good times and strong finish can’t disguise what happened before Denver’s clutch offensive play. The Broncos were inconsistent in the first three quarters against the Chargers and in a 34-10 loss at Miami in the season opener.
Denver coach Mike Shanahan says his offense needs to continue to work on the nuances of the game beginning Monday night against Kansas City at Invesco Field at Mile High. He said the turnovers, crucial penalties and failures on third down need to stop. The unit showed considerable progress in training camp and in the 4-0 preseason. He’s looking for a quick reversal.
“We haven’t been very consistent on offense,” Shanahan said. “We have to get back on track like we did in the preseason. We have to get back to not making mistakes and stopping ourselves. If we can do that, good things will happen.”
Shanahan said he liked some of what he saw against a strong San Diego defense. Denver finished with 331 total yards and often zipped down the field. However, familiar miscues stalled the Broncos.
On the Broncos’ first possession, after they marched down the field, usually sure-handed tailback Mike Anderson fumbled near the goal line. In the third quarter, quarterback Jake Plummer threw an interception inside the Chargers’ 20-yard line. Otherwise, Plummer was solid in a controlled passing game, going 23-of-37 for 248 yards.
A 36-yard touchdown pass from Plummer to tight end Jeb Putzier in the third quarter was nullified because of a personal-foul penalty on offensive tackle George Foster. Denver stalled twice inside San Diego territory, forcing two long field-goal attempts Elam failed to convert.
Thus, Shanahan saw good signs spoiled by mistakes. He said the Broncos will work to cut down on the mistakes, the red-zone problems and on converting third-down plays. Denver is 2-for-7 in the red zone this season 7-for-28 on third-down plays. All these issues hampered Denver at different points last season.
“Yeah, it is frustrating. But there is some good with it,” Shanahan said. “When you move the ball 80 yards on your first drive, and all of a sudden you’re on the 1-yard line, and all of a sudden you lose your momentum like we did. When you go against a good defense and you’re in long-yardage situations, you’re going to be in for a long day, so you can’t stop yourself. We’re going to play a lot of good defensive football teams this year, so we’d better pick it up. If we don’t, then we’re going to be inconsistent like we have been the past two weeks.”
Denver will try to build on the strength of scoring 10 points against the Chargers in the fourth quarter. The Broncos’ offense clicked with a quick- strike, two-play touchdown drive and a 12-play, 57-yard drive that took 5 minutes, 16 seconds and resulted in the winning 41-yard field goal by Elam with five seconds left. That drive included a fourth-and-1 play with Dayne running 10 yards.
“I’m just glad we were able to finish strong and win the game to help what the defense did,” Dayne said.
Added Anderson, who Shana- han said will start again against the Chiefs: “We have to look at the good stuff. It’s been two games, get me to the bye week (which begins Oct. 31). We have time. We’ll find that consistency.”
How offensive?
Broncos reporter Bill Williamson breaks down the team’s offensive downfalls through two games:
RED-ZONE WOES
Downfall: Denver has scored a touchdown only two out of seven trips inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. The Broncos turned the ball over twice in the red zone against San Diego on Sunday.
Fix: Hold onto the ball and make the same smart decisions that got you into the red zone when you’re in it.
THIRD-DOWN TROUBLES
Downfall: Denver has converted only seven of 28 times on third down. The Broncos improved against the Chargers after starting the season 1-for-12 against Miami.
Fix: Execute better on first and second down to cut down on so many third-and-long situations.
FINISHING DRIVES
Downfall: The combined problems in the red zone and on third down have made Denver stall drives without scoring. Penalties and turnovers have been issues.
Fix: Don’t hurt yourself. Take what the defense gives you. Don’t kill your own drive.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
