Broncos: J.K. Dobbins shines with 101 yards after tactical change in the running game

Broncos Find Offensive Success with New Focus on Ground Game

Amidst discussions about the offensive identity of the Denver Broncos and their commitment to the running game, coach Sean Payton made significant adjustments in Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The renewed strategy resulted in a notable offensive performance and a convincing victory. Instead of rotating the team’s two main running backs, J.K. Dobbins and rookie RJ Harvey, Payton allowed each to remain in the game for entire offensive series. This tactical modification led to impressive results. The result of this strategy was the first 100-yard rushing game for a Broncos running back in over two years. The team amassed a total of 186 rushing yards and 512 total offensive yards, securing a 28-3 victory at Empower Field at Mile High.

“One thing we did differently [on Monday] was give them series, and that helped them both,” Payton said. “It’s easier to call plays, and they both got into good rhythms… Those guys ran hard. I think we blocked well; we put good pressure on the Bengals’ defense.”

Sean Payton, Broncos Coach

Dobbins, who finished with 101 yards on 16 carries, expressed his satisfaction with this approach, highlighting the importance of having consecutive opportunities to get into rhythm. This performance marked the first time a Broncos running back surpassed 100 rushing yards since Latavius Murray achieved 103 yards in the 2022 season finale. Quarterback Bo Nix also praised the team’s performance in the running game, noting the improvement on first and second downs. Payton’s tactical change seems to have found a successful formula, with Dobbins highlighting the importance of consecutive series to improve his performance. The team ran the ball only 10 times for the rest of that game after Dobbins’ three-play explosion. And in the consecutive losses of the previous two weeks, against the Indianapolis Colts and the Chargers, the Broncos’ running backs had 20 and 13 carries, respectively, compared to 31 on Monday night. The ground game, even against a weakened Bengals defense, boosted the Broncos’ overall performance. Nix’s 326 passing yards marked his first 300-yard game of the season, 121 passing yards more than in any of the previous three games. In addition, the Broncos’ 512 offensive yards were their most in a game during Payton’s tenure.

The Broncos’ defense, which limited the Bengals to 159 total yards and didn’t allow Cincinnati an offensive play without a penalty on Denver’s side of the field in the last nine possessions, proved to be crucial. Guard Quinn Meinerz highlighted the importance of repetitions for both the running backs and the offensive line. The Broncos now face the current Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, who have allowed three of their four opponents to average at least 4.7 yards per carry.