It cannot be denied.
At their current rate, the Broncos are operating with the worst offense in the Mike Shanahan era.
Not one of the worst. The worst.
No easy task, considering the Shanahan era is in its 12th year.
Only once in 11 previous seasons did the Broncos fail to finish in the NFL’s top 10 in scoring. That was the 1999 aberration marked by the retirement of John Elway, followed closely by the season-ending knee injury to Terrell Davis.
Even then, the Broncos finished 18th in scoring at 19.6 points per game.
This year’s Broncos rank 23rd through nine games at 17.6 points per game.
As for total offense, only twice in the past 11 seasons have the Broncos ranked lower than seventh. That was in 1999 and 2001, when Brian “Dink and Dunk” Griese was their quarterback and Davis attempted his ill-fated comeback as starting running back.
This year’s Broncos are ranked 19th in total offense.
Yet the Broncos are 7-2, tied with the San Diego Chargers for the AFC West lead. And when those teams meet for a nationally televised divisional showdown Sunday night at Invesco Field at Mile High, the Broncos will be favored even though the Chargers are averaging an NFL-high 33.0 points per game.
Why? Because the Broncos’ defense has allowed a league-low 12.3 points per game.
“I don’t think we’ve ever won – at least since I’ve been here – with the offense not being real productive,” Shanahan said during his news briefing Monday. “It’s always been offense, and the defense there’s always been questions about. So it’s a little bit different.”
When the Broncos won their Super Bowls, their average scores were 31-19 in 1998 and 30-18 in 1997. The Broncos are trying to reach the Super Bowl this season by way of 18-12. They just played right at their averages, give or take, while defeating the Oakland Raiders 17-13 on Sunday.
“Very disappointed,” Shana- han said about the offensive performance against the Raiders. “Anytime you move the ball like we did and commit the turnovers as we did, very seldom do you win on the road. So yeah, I was disappointed in a lot of different areas.
“But, when we had to make the plays and everything was on the line, we seemed to step up and make those plays.”
Jumpin’ Javon
One reason the Broncos’ offense may have struggled against the Raiders is star receiver Javon Walker touched the ball only twice. He caught one pass for a 39-yard touchdown, the other for a 23-yard gain that moved the ball into Raiders territory.
“Obviously the more times we get the ball in his hands, the better off we are,” Shanahan said.
More roster moves
The Broncos signed running back Andre Hall and safety Steve Cargile to their practice squad Monday. Hall was cut by the Bears and Cargile by the Buccaneers before the season. They filled the practice-squad spots vacated by the promotions last week of running back Damien Nash and defensive tackle Antwon Burton.
Footnotes
After the Broncos’ roster and starting-position shake-ups last week, it’s clear that punter Paul Ernster must improve. Ernster grossed just 33.6 yards on seven punts against the Raiders. For the season, Ernster ranks 31st in gross average and 21st in net average. …
The Broncos won’t know until practice Wednesday whether linebacker Ian Gold, defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban or defensive end Patrick Chukwurah have sufficiently healed from their leg injuries. All three missed the game Sunday against the Raiders. …
Tight end Stephen Alexander suffered a badly jammed thumb against the Raiders, although he made each of his team-high six receptions after the injury.
Mike Klis can be reached at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
CHALK TALK
Why did the Broncos throw so many passes to their tight ends during their game-winning touchdown drive? Broncos reporter Mike Klis breaks down a strategic element from the Broncos’ 17-13 victory at Oakland:
* POINT, COUNTERPOINT: Sensing the Raiders would focus on stopping the run and playing a two-man zone on Javon Walker’s deep routes, the Broncos’ game plan featured the double-tight end set. The Raiders brought up strong safety Michael Huff essentially to serve as a fourth linebacker against the run while also having him cover the tight end against the pass. In completing five consecutive passes to tight ends, four to Stephen Alexander, Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer usually rolled out. The tight end on his roll side ran to the flat area while the backside tight end dragged from one side to the other on an underneath route. On the game-winning drive, Alexander caught two passes in the flat, two on the underneath routes. Nate Jackson was the backside tight end on his 24-yard catch that set up first-and-goal. Huff struggled to keep up with the backside tight end on the crossing routes.
* FUTURE PROSPECTS: Broncos coach Mike Shanahan features the two-tight end set about four or five games a year. He might feature a three-receiver set another four or five games. And his base offense of two receivers and one tight end would be used in the other games. This week against San Diego, don’t be surprised if the Broncos go back to featuring their receivers more than their tight ends.
EYE ON … The Chargers
SAN DIEGO AT DENVER, 6:15 p.m., Sunday
For the record: The Chargers are 7-2, tied with Denver for first place in the AFC West.
Last game: Won 49-41 at Cincinnati on Sunday. The Chargers scored 42 points in the second half to overcome a 28-7 deficit.
Streaking: San Diego has lost six consecutive games at Denver, a streak that began in 2000. Since 1987, the Chargers are 2-17 in Denver.
Who’s hot: Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers completed 24-of-36 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns against the Bengals. He was not intercepted.
Who’s not: The Chargers’ pass defense surrendered 440 yards to Cincinnati.
Key stat: San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson is averaging 52.8 yards in five games at Denver. His highest rushing total at Denver is 75 yards.
FYI: San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer is 11-22 lifetime coaching against Denver with teams from Cleveland, Kansas City and San Diego.
Injury update: Defensive tackle Luis Castillo didn’t play at Cincinnati because of an ankle injury.
Center Nick Hardwick has an ankle injury, and defensive tackle Jamal Williams has a toe injury. All three will be evaluated during the week.
Line: Denver by 3 points.
Coach speak: “It took me back to the old AFL days where you just try to find a way to have one more point than they do. It was the kind of game that makes the NFL the most popular sport in the world.” – Schottenheimer, after the victory at Cincinnati
– Bill Williamson
