It’s the down where quarterbacks make their money. Where running backs earn a reputation for being able to move the sticks. And where, this Sunday night in Kansas City, the Broncos have to convert to keep the ball out of the hands of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
It’s third down, which is also an Achilles’ heel of the Denver offense this year. The Broncos rank 30th in third-down conversions at 36.1%, are tied for next-to-last with 30 three-and-outs and, correspondingly, rank 25th in average time of possession.
Things need to change, and change quickly, if the Broncos plan to hang with the Chiefs as a two-touchdown underdog.
“We all know it’s crunch time when it gets to third down,” Broncos quarterback Drew Lock said. “It has to be high intensity, high focus going into those plays. It needs to be high focus, high intensity this week in our third-down periods. That’s something that I’ve reiterated to the guys to keep this thing rolling in a positive way.”
In contrast to the Broncos’ struggles on “crunch time” downs, Kansas City has dominated. The Chiefs rank first in third-down conversions at 50.3%, and not surprisingly also lead the NFL in average time of possession. It certainly helps that Mahomes has any number of players who can move the sticks, including tight end Travis Kelce (54 total first downs this year), wideout Tyreek Hill (47) and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (44).
Denver tight end Noah Fant is well aware of the Mahomes-to-Kelce connection that’s become a third-down staple for Kansas City.
“Especially in that third-and-six range, those are prime tight end areas to run routes and get open,” Fant said. “So, I guess (I have) to just keep pushing forward. That’s the only thing I can say is try to keep getting better, try to get with our play calling and things like that (improved) and see how I fit in that… We definitely need some improvement there.”
Coach Vic Fangio lamented that the offense’s issues on third downs — no doubt exacerbated by having to start four different quarterbacks this year — “affects the entire team.” So, too, does red zone ineptitude, as the Broncos’ offense is 30th in touchdown percentage at 48.2%.
“It’s definitely two areas that we need to improve on, and we’ve had moments where we’ve been good at it, but we haven’t been consistent enough,” Fangio said.
In only one of 11 games have the Broncos posted a third-down conversion rate of at least 50% (6-of-12 in the Oct. 1 win against the Jets). Third-and-long situations have been especially problematic, as the Broncos have converted 57% of the time with three or fewer yards to go, but 45% of the time with four-to-seven yards and just 22% of the time facing eight or more yards.
“We get into trouble when we’re in those third-and-longs and that starts on first and second down — being better and being more efficient there,” Lock said. “We can do a better job on those downs to make it easier for us on third down.”
feeds.denverpost.com/~r/dp-sports/~3/7lTk2LprI98/Follow Tyler Tysdal Online
Check out the latest articles from Tyler Tivis Tysdal.Follow Tyler Tysdal on Twitter
Check out the resume for Tyler Tysdal on Crunchbase to see experience.
Contact Tyler Tysdal on Linkedin.com
No comments:
Post a Comment