After Further Review: Broncos shore up pass protection in win over Jets

Pass-rush totals by Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay in wins over the Broncos: Thirteen sacks, 17 knockdowns and seven pressures.

There was nowhere to go but up for the Broncos’ offensive line and quarterback Brett Rypien, and they delivered in Thursday night’s 37-28 win.

The Jets had no sacks, four knockdowns and two pressures.

Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams didn’t follow the blue-print established by play-callers Keith Butler (Pittsburgh) and Todd Bowles (Tampa Bay).

New York rushed at least five players on only nine of Rypien’s 37 drop-backs — 24.3% compared to 50% and 53.7% by the Steelers and Buccaneers, respectively.

Here are other thoughts on the Broncos’ win:

Offense

Drawing penalties. The Broncos’ offense drew seven penalties against the Jets. Rypien drew four personal foul calls totaling 60 yards to lead the way. Receiver KJ Hamler (eight-yard defensive pass interference), left tackle Garett Bolles (personal foul by Jets for 15 yards) and quarterback Jeff Driskel (personal foul by Jets for five yards) also drew Jets penalties.

Rypien file. Against extra pass rushers (five or more), Rypien was 5-of-6 passing for 92 yards. He was 4-of-6 passing for 139 yards on attempts that traveled at least 16 air yards, including a 48-yard touchdown to Jerry Jeudy and completions of 40 and 31 yards to Tim Patrick.

Solid run blocking. On their season-long 13-play drive to take a 24-16 lead, the Broncos blocked well to allow Melvin Gordon to rush for 19 yards. On the play to the left, right guard Graham Glasgow pulled left and blocked linebacker Avery Williamson. Left guard Dalton Risner and Bolles double-teamed a Jets lineman before Bolles peeled off to block linebacker Jordan Jenkins. Good stuff all around.

Second touchdown pass. Rypien’s second touchdown pass was well executed. On third-and-6 from the Jets’ 7, the Broncos had an empty backfield after running back Royce Freeman motioned to wide right. Patrick was in the right slot. At the snap, he got a free release and ran a quick slant. Rypien threw in 2.07 seconds and it was a dart that only Patrick could catch — over the cornerback’s outstretched hand and before the safety could rotate over.

Defense

Bad start. The Broncos got off to a bad start when Jets quarterback Sam Darnold scrambled 46 yards for a touchdown. Inside linebacker Alexander Johnson blitzed, but whiffed on the sack. Safety Justin Simmons was out-juked by Darnold at the line of scrimmage. From there, Darnold headed up the field and the Broncos did a poor job in tackling and pursuit.

Sack story. A season-high six sacks for the Broncos. They came in 5.00 (Johnson), 2.28 (outside linebacker Bradley Chubb/defensive end Shelby Harris), 4.31 (Chubb), 2.82 (Chubb), 2.04 (inside linebacker Josey Jewell) and 2.34 (Jewell) seconds.

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Key challenge. Winning challenges on where the football is spotted is difficult, but coach Vic Fangio felt it was worth it … and he was right. The Jets trailed 27-25 facing a third-and-5 from the Broncos’ 23. Darnold threw five yards to receiver Jamison Crowder. Fangio challenged the poor spot and a first-and-10 became a fourth-and-1 and Jets field goal. The Broncos trailed by one instead of potentially five points.

Defending the run. Darnold accounted for 84 of the Jets’ 129 rushing yards. Frank Gore averaged only 2.3 yards per carry. Credited with run “stuffs” (gain of one or fewer yards) were Simmons, Harris (1/2), Jewell (1/2), Chubb (1/2), nose tackle Mike Purcell (one) and outside linebacker Malik Reed (1 1/2).

Special teams

Spencer’s long return. Leading 24-16 in the third quarter, Diontae Spencer produced a 41-yard punt return that led to a Brandon McManus field goal. Spencer caught Braden Mann’s punt (4.57-second hang time) pinned against the sideline. But he made the first tackler (Kalen Ballage) miss before turning upfield. Mann saved a touchdown in a semi-cagey way. The Broncos’ Tyrie Cleveland had Mann lined up for a block, but he appeared to turn his body, forcing Cleveland to miss; had he blocked Mann, it would have likely been a penalty.

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