Denver Broncos: 3 Ways Case Keenum is Changing Minds

Keenum led the NFL in interceptions at one time.

As mentioned above, he threw at least one in nine straight games. It makes the two games that he’s thrown none that much more conspicuous.  It also raises “what could have been” questions, particularly with bad losses to the Jets and Ravens.

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The nervous overthrows are gone, the miscommunication with receivers appears to be behind us.  It’s more than just game management and limiting of mistakes.  Keenum seems confident, his throws are just better even though his completion percentage is down.

Part of that is Keenum and OC Bill Musgrave‘s penchant for going downfield at any moment.  They are low percentage throws but they are important to Denver’s offense and the Broncos have become offensively fearless.  Deep throws offsetting between-the-tackle runs from the 5’8″ Lindsay qualify as fearless in our minds.

Some point to the trade of Demaryius Thomas as the thing that sprung the Denver offense.  The idea is that the absence of Thomas opened up tight end play and that plays right into Case Keenum‘s hands.

I can’t jump on the bandwagon that blames the all-time Bronco great Thomas for offensive woes but the timing doesn’t seem coincidental. From Thomas’ own comments it does look like the relationship with the Broncos had become strained.

Whatever the reason, Keenum hasn’t thrown a pick in the two recent Bronco victories and that has mattered.  Another factor is pass protection, which we look at next: