{"id":124478,"date":"2021-11-10T07:30:08","date_gmt":"2021-11-10T12:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=124478"},"modified":"2021-11-09T23:56:55","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T04:56:55","slug":"denver-broncos-finally-have-the-right-mindset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/11\/10\/denver-broncos-finally-have-the-right-mindset\/","title":{"rendered":"Denver Broncos Finally Have the Right Mindset"},"content":{"rendered":"

They were in dire need of some consistency and a proper plan, and now the Denver Broncos<\/a> have the right mindset. After shutting down one of the best offenses in the NFL, it is clear the Broncos are learning from their mistakes and are still capable of earning a playoff spot \u2013 if they use last Sunday’s game as a template from here on out.<\/p>\n

Denver Broncos Have the Right Mindset for the Rest of the Season<\/h2>\n

Defense Has the Right Mindset<\/h3>\n

Weeks 4-6 were a nightmare for Denver\u2019s defense, culminating in the Cleveland Browns<\/a> running all over them in Week 7. Head coach Vic Fangio then revamped the unit, starting inside linebackers Baron Browning and Kenny Young. The Broncos managed to shut down the Dallas Cowboys<\/a>, arguably one of the best offenses in the league. Dallas went 0-for-4 on fourth down attempts, and the Broncos registered five quarterback hits, two sacks and an interception.<\/p>\n

Fangio reiterated<\/a> the fact that Dallas being in the top three in almost every offensive category, Denver\u2019s defense defied the odds. \u201cThose guys had the right mindset, which you have to when you\u2019re playing against an offense that is that good\u2026 for us to come in here and do that, it\u2019s just kudos to the players\u2026 and we did more than slow them down.\u201d If they keep this winning mentality, Denver can go a lot further than expected.<\/p>\n

The Edge Rushers Are Doing Just Fine<\/h3>\n

In their first game since Von Miller left<\/a>, the Broncos remaining edge rushers made sure to fill those big shoes. With Bradley Chubb<\/a> on injured reserve and Malik Reed<\/a> sidelined with a hip injury, Stephen Weatherly started across from Jonathan Cooper. He generated a lot of pressure while Cooper, a seventh-round pick, stunned everyone by leading the team with four tackles (two behind the line of scrimmage), two quarterback hits and two sacks. Denver still has an impressive and talented group of pass rushers. Their future looks good.<\/p>\n

There Are Major Improvements in the Run Game<\/h3>\n

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur finally decided on a run-heavy approach, and it paid off big. Melvin Gordon<\/a> and Javonte Williams<\/a> were a one-two punch, proving themselves capable of dominating a game. Gordon finished with 21 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown and Williams totaled 111 rushing yards on 17 carries. They mixed it up enough to keep Dallas defense guessing. If they did it once, they can do it again.<\/p>\n

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The #Broncos<\/a>\u2019 190 rushing yards Sunday are the most in a single game since Oct. 6, 2019, vs the Chargers in which they had 191. <\/p>\n

Probably can\u2019t rush for 190 every week, but gotta keep running the ball well to find success offensively.<\/p>\n

— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) November 8, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n