Denver Broncos: 3 Things We Saw in the LA Rams Loss

Welcome to the party, Bradley Chubb!

Right up front, let’s congratulate the rookie on a three sack day.  Whether it’s been scheme, coaching or a longer-than-anticipated break-in period for Bradley Chubb, it took five games to see the disruptive force we used the fifth pick in the draft on.  Denver recorded five sacks on the day, three from Chubb and 1.5 from mate Von Miller. It reminded us that the Broncos still have a talented defensive unit.

Denver Broncos

We were also reminded that the Broncos continue to struggle defensively with third and very long situations.  On Sunday the Denver D gave up a crucial 3rd and 13 that for all intents-and-purposes sealed the game for the Rams.

It was a bit of a slap in the face to a defensive effort that held Jared Goff to 201 yards and no touchdowns.  The secondary played well, despite a big day from the Rams’ Robert Woods.

The run defense did not.  They did not play well, did not tackle, did not hold a running back under 200 yards for the second consecutive week.  At least on Sunday the offending back was Todd Gurley III.  Small consolation for a squad that in two weeks has tumbled from the fourth-ranked run defense to dead last. It appears one way NFL offenses are attacking Denver’s pass-rush is to run right at Miller.  It’s disrupted the Denver star linebacker and Gurley had a field day running around the right side.

In the end, the Broncos surrendered 208 yards and 2 touchdowns to the NFL’s leading rusher.

Still, Denver gave just 23 points to the NFL’s top offense.  The Broncos kept the Rams nearly 10-points under their season scoring average.  Bend-but-don’t-break is fine but the burden then returns to the offense and the coaching.

How did the coaches fare on Sunday?