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Jacksonville, Fla. – As a Broncos offensive lineman, Tom Nalen has mastered the art of communicating without officially speaking.
What Nalen wanted to know – off the record, of course – as he walked into the visiting locker room, proud of the Broncos’ 20-7 victory against the favored Jacksonville Jaguars but glaring at the group of nonparticipants, was: Who among the know-it-alls predicted nothing close to what happened Sunday at Alltell Stadium?
In defense of the skeptics, there was reason to doubt.
Analysis had the Broncos beat from the time they set their game roster. Gone was not only star cornerback Champ Bailey, but the other starting cornerback, Darrent Williams.
Sure, the Broncos had shown in recent weeks they had the makings of a special defense, one of their best in years. But how well can a defense play without its top two cornerbacks?
The adversity didn’t stop there. Jason Elam, the Broncos’ all-pro kicker, suddenly developed a case of early-game yips. Then there was the state of Florida, where the Broncos were 2-10 and the heat and humidity caused Denver to melt in a 34-10 season-opening drubbing down the highway at Dolphins Stadium. Same thing had happened last year at Jacksonville, where the Jaguars boasted the NFL’s second-ranked defense and held the Broncos without a touchdown.
How were the Broncos supposed to win when so much was wrong?
“It wasn’t easy,” said Broncos fullback Kyle Johnson. “I’m not going to sit here and say this win was no big deal because we did face some adversity today. You could say this was the most impressive win we’ve had (in three years).
“But I wouldn’t say it was surprising. We expected this.”
The Broncos are 3-1, and skeptics might point out they were 5-1 the past two years but failed to win a playoff game either season. The difference this time, however, is a defense so suffocating, Broncos fans may have to keep their Sundays open into late January.
“If we’re still like this in week 13, then I’ll buy into all the hype,” said Broncos defensive end Trevor Pryce. “And the Jaguars, I don’t think are an offensive juggernaut. Not yet, at least. I think they will be at some point, but today they weren’t. It’s not exactly like playing the 1991 49ers.”
Injuries to Bailey and Williams seemed to sucker the Jaguars in. From the first play, when deliberate-releasing quarterback Byron Leftwich fired a long incomplete pass, the Jaguars were intent on beating the Broncos in the air.
“I think that was a bad decision on their part,” Pryce said.
“I think that was smart on their part,” said Domonique Foxworth, a rookie defensive back for Denver. “They knew we have a good front seven, and they also knew we had our top two corners out. It made sense for them to pass.”
Which player was right? Let’s say Pryce was honest and Foxworth was humble.
The Jaguars didn’t even try to run. In beating the New York Jets last week, Jaguars’ tailback Fred Taylor had a career-high 37 carries. Against the Broncos, the Jaguars rushed only 11 times for a franchise-low 12 yards.
The Broncos’ defense was unrelenting. Foxworth had an interception, a fumble recovery and a team-high six tackles. Strong safety Nick Ferguson had an interception and middle linebacker Al Wilson had a sack and two forced fumbles.
“One thing we noticed in watching film was that (Leftwich) takes a lot of time and has a five- to seven-step drop,” said Broncos defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban, who picked off a Wilson-forced fumble in midair.
Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer, whose play-calling was questioned after the Miami game, was praised by his subordinates for his ingenious strategy. Adjusting to the Jaguars’ frequent four-receiver sets, Coyer removed noted run-stuffers John Lynch and D.J. Williams and replaced them with defensive backs Karl Paymah and Sam Brandon, whose speed helped support Foxworth and Lenny Walls at the corners.
“It says a lot about the coaching staff,” Wilson said. “They know how to put together a scheme that understands our strengths and limitations, and they put us in a position to succeed.”
Offensively, the Broncos overcame two failed midrange field-goal attempts by Elam – one he missed, the other was deflected at the line – in the first quarter by sticking to their conservative but effective plan.
The Broncos’ two touchdowns were short passes thrown by quarterback Jake Plummer to offensive tackle-eligible Dwayne Carswell.
“He’s got the best hands on the team next to Rod (Smith),” Plummer said.
Once a 265-pound tight end, Carswell is not supposed to publicly comment, per offensive line policy, now that he plays between 295 and 300 pounds. Yet with Nalen’s permission, Carswell was given clemency Sunday.
“I was in the right place at the right time,” Carswell said.
To answer Nalen’s officially unspoken question, here’s another question: Who would have thought?
Extra points
TURNING POINT – Yellow flag day
A third-down roughing the passer penalty on Jacksonville linebacker Mike Peterson in the fourth quarter gave Denver a critical first down. Five plays later, kicker Jason Elam hit a 33-yard field goal to give the Broncos a 17-7 lead with 8:48 remaining. It was one of 15 penalties for 119 yards committed by the Jaguars. “Way, way too many penalties,” Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said.
HIT OF THE DAY – High-low combo
In the first quarter, Denver middle linebacker Al Wilson slammed Jacksonville quarterback Byron Leftwich high and defensive tackle Gerard Warren came in low, causing a fumble. Denver end Ebenezer Ekuban recovered the ball at the Jaguars’ 29-yard line. “Our guys have taken ownership,” Broncos defensive coordinator Larry Coyer said. “They are great.”
CRAZY PLAY OF THE DAY – TDs are in the House
It was a House call by the hometown boy. Broncos offensive lineman Dwayne “House” Carswell, a former Jacksonville high school star, scored on two short touchdown passes in the first half, giving Denver a 14-0 lead. It was the first two-touchdown game for the former tight end. Carswell moved to offensive lineman in training camp this year like he did last year. “Maybe House should go back to tight end,” cornerback Domonique Foxworth said jokingly.
BESTS – Take it back
Challenge: On the first drive of the game, Jacksonville was credited with a 22-yard catch by Reggie Williams at the sideline. Denver challenged the play and officials reversed the call, saying Williams got only one foot in bounds.
Catch: Denver’s Ashley Lelie made a nice catch at the sideline for a 13-yard gain and a first down during the first quarter. Lelie banged up his ankle on the play but returned.
Attack: The Jaguars knew Broncos starting cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Darrent Williams were inactive with injuries so Leftwich went for it on the first play from scrimmage, throwing to Jimmy Smith. But Lenny Walls was right with Smith, and the Broncos’ defense made the opening statement.
Resurgence: After being slowed by injuries, Broncos running back Tatum Bell came alive Sunday, showing the speed he displayed as a rookie.
Defense: Denver didn’t allow a Jacksonville first down until just more than six minutes left in the first half.
WORSTS – Sold out (sort of)
Sellout: The Jaguars announced their first sellout of the season. However, it isn’t too difficult to have a sellout at Alltel Stadium. Several sections have been transformed into huge team decals.
Misses: While it didn’t kill the Broncos, Elam missed two first-half field goals, with one being blocked.
Weather: It poured before the game and during the third quarter.
Fundamentals: Early in the fourth quarter, penalties were called on five of six plays. Three were on Jacksonville and two were on Walls, who was taken out of the game for one play after his second penalty. Both penalties gave Jacksonville first downs.
Decal: The NFL had players wear “Futbol Americano” decals on their helmets Sunday to commemorate the game in Mexico on Sunday night between San Francisco and Arizona. While it’s nice the league went international for the day, every player didn’t need to advertise it. This is the same league that wouldn’t allow Jake Plummer to wear a decal in honor of Pat Tillman, a friend and former teammate killed in Afghanistan. If the NFL really wanted to promote its trip to Mexico, it should have sent a better matchup than the 49ers and Cardinals.
– Bill Williamson
Report card
Offense: B
It wasn’t perfect, but it was an efficient effort against a strong defense. Denver’s offense clearly was better than Jacksonville’s defense, getting key yards when it needed them. For the second consecutive week, the run offense paved the way. Mike Anderson had a tidy 115 yards on 23 carries with backup Tatum Bell chipping in 60 on 15 carries. Overall, Denver had 188 yards rushing on 44 carries, a terrific effort against this smash-mouth defense. Quarterback Jake Plummer didn’t put up big numbers but was competent and mistake-free.
Defense: A
Something special is happening. Since halftime of the San Diego game on Sept. 18, Denver’s defense has been dominant. It has to be regarded as one of the top units in the NFL. In the past 10 quarters, Denver has outscored the Chargers, Chiefs and Jaguars 67-20, and the defense is leading the charge. The unit held the Jaguars to a franchise-low 12 rushing yards. It was the second-best rushing defense total in Broncos history behind a 1965 effort.
Special teams: B
Jason Elam missed two field goals in the first quarter, but came back with two key field goals in the fourth quarter. Punter Todd Sauerbrun has turned it on the past few weeks and was outstanding again Sunday, averaging 48.5 yards a punt. The coverage unit continues to make strides.
Coaching: A
The Broncos were well-prepared. The coaching staff had the team ready for everything Sunday, including the humidity. Concentrating on stuffing the run put pressure on Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich. The Broncos used a ball-control scheme, which is perfect for a tough road game against a stout run defense. The right buttons were pushed.
Overall: A
The Broncos are 3-1 at the quarter pole. Winning two tough division games at home and splitting two Florida games on the road is a pretty nice way to start the season. Sunday’s victory helped dispel a couple of issues that have nagged at the Broncos: their difficulty in winning in Florida and in early-start times. Good teams win difficult road tests, and the Broncos are showing they qualify as a good team.
– Bill Williamson
Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-820-5440 or mklis@denverpost.com.
