In their 34-20 Monday night victory over Tennessee, the Broncos set a franchise record with four touchdowns of at least 40 yards. Broncos reporter Mike Klis breaks down the final big playthe game-clinching jaunt by third-string running back Andre Hall.
The play: The Broncos were leading 27-20 early in the fourth quarter and had second-and-2 at their 38. Brandon Marshall went in motion from his right flanker spot to left. He stopped over the right guard as the ball was snapped. Jay Cutler gave a straight handoff to Andre Hall, who was lined up behind fullback Cecil Sapp. The Broncos’ zone blocked from right to left with Sapp also heading left. Right tackle Erik Pears crashed in to make a superb crease-opening block that created room for Marshall to step in and get in front of Titans safety Chris Hope. Marshall got knocked on his rear, but not before Hall, who made a quick cut against the blocking grain, shot through.
Point/counterpoint: Hall had a busy start. First, he had just gone in for Selvin Young (knee) midway through the third quarter when the Titans’ Vincent Fuller came on a safety blitz. Hall missed the block and Cutler was sacked on third down. Hall spent the next seven minutes of game clock getting chewed out on the sideline. The Broncos finally got the ball back early in the fourth. Three plays later, Hall was gone with his first NFL touchdown.
Future prospects: Hall’s run was another reminder the Broncos’ season doesn’t end if starting tailback Travis Henry receives a one-year suspension. In fact, a tailback rotation of Young and Hall might be more productive than giving the ball exclusively to Henry and his gimpy knee.
