Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold analyzes an aspect of the team in its 30-27 loss at Philadelphia on Sunday:
Darrell Reid got a little help from his friends Sunday to make a play that almost tipped the game to the Broncos’ favor.
Having cut the Eagles’ lead to 27-17 late in the third quarter the Broncos kicked off to Eagles returner Macho Harris. Broncos safety Josh Barrett ran what some call a “chip” play. Barrett took on the blocker headed for Reid and Reid fired through the gap. Reid had a clean run at Harris.
He blasted the ball free and Robert Ayers recovered the fumble at the Eagles’ 16-yard line. The Broncos scored two plays later to make it a 27-24 game.
“(Broncos linebacker) Wesley Woodyard has been doing a great job all year and Josh Barrett and that whole team,” Reid said. “But (Barrett) kind of chipped my guy and got me free and I was able to make a play. That’s what you’re looking for in that situation.”
Broncos safety David Bruton forced another fumble on kickoff coverage in the fourth quarter – again with a hit on Harris – this time near the Eagles’ sideline. The Broncos had just tied the game, 27-27, before that play.
Harris, who has taken over kickoff return duties for the Eagles because of some injuries swings the ball away from his body when he runs – giving him just two consistent points of contact with the ball instead of the preferred three – and the Broncos were almost able to take advantage of that slight fundamental breakdown enough to get a comeback victory.
“Special teams plays are big,” Reid said. “They can turn a game and any little thing you see helps.”
