Can the Broncos continue to compete after a crucial Week 7?

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Sean Payton will only say May be about the Denver Broncos road game.

As in May be this could be a big part of the game plan going forward. As in May be It could be a hammer-to-nail philosophy to settle into rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

“We’re building, we’re figuring it out,” Payton said after the Broncos rushed for 225 yards Thursday night in a 33-10 win over the Saints. “You don’t say how we will play no matter what. (It’s) based on who we played … it’s what we thought we needed to do to win this game. That could change in a week.” “

The Broncos’ offense has been steady, almost begrudging at times, and things have gotten better on the field with a rejuvenated Javonte Williams and the mobile Knicks. They compensated for one of the worst passing offenses in the league; Denver ranks 29th in yards per pass (5.3) and had just three scoring passes of at least 30 yards before this week.

The 225 yards were the most for the Broncos since they gained 280 yards against the Patriots on Nov. 24, 2013. By comparison, Peyton Manning was the Broncos’ quarterback, Knowshon Moreno was the team’s leading rusher, and John Fox was their quarterback. head coach – four non-acting head coaches back.

“I think this could be a good profile for us,” sharpshooter Mike McGlinchey said. “I thought we did a good job offensively… It gave us some tempo and we kind of made it the personality of the game.”

When the Broncos left Tampa Bay with a win in Week 3, Williams was averaging 2.2 yards per carry and didn’t look good in a Broncos offense that had been cold after its first two losses. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi continued to preach that he felt the players were ready to attack. All that was left was to stick to it.

Payton, the team’s coordinator, also said the young quarterback’s “two best allies” are good defense and running the game. largely due to shaky play that kept him there.

The Broncos were also still figuring out how to split the running game work among the running backs, especially since struggling at third meant fewer offensive plays (and therefore fewer rushing opportunities). They rank 31st in the league in third-down conversion rate (26.4%). But the Broncos showed more variety Thursday with wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. in the backfield. They also experimented with two or more defenders on the field in 11 games (6.4 yards per carry on nine carries).

Payton also used Nix in increasingly elaborate runs. Nix has rushed for at least 61 yards in each of the last two games and leads the team in rushing touchdowns (three).

“I think it’s just an added bonus,” Nix said of his yards. “Obviously you want to run the ball with running backs in a specific way and get behind the O. Sometimes things break down and those hidden yards I think are really important. They get extra first downs and they’re ways to get inside.”

Increased run efficiency also impacts the passing game for Knicks. The Broncos spent most of the season in the bottom third of the league in play-action plays—they were 25th when they went to New Orleans (20.4%). But on Thursday night, Payton put Knicks in those situations. Nix was 7 of 10 passing for 52 yards on a play-action attempt in the win, the team’s most play-action attempts since it had 12 yards in Week 1.

And then there’s Williams. In particular, the Broncos have been attacking defenses between the tackles in the last three games, with Williams being a difference-maker and breaker in the past. Denver rushed for 120 of its 225 yards between the tackles against the Saints, according to ESPN Research. The Broncos had room to work with as 157 of their total yards came on first contact with the defender.

Williams has averaged at least 4.7 yards per carry in three of Denver’s last four games. His 6.3 yards per carry Thursday was his best average since the 2022 season opened.

“Coach preached all week about getting off to a fast start,” Williams said. “That’s what we wanted to do to get to them early … and our O-line just cut big holes and we showed what we can do.”

New tests are coming. After a home game against the Panthers (30th in scoring), Denver heads to road games next Sunday against Baltimore and Kansas City. The Ravens and Chiefs are among the top five defensive teams in the league.

“I feel like if we keep working hard, we can be consistent,” Williams said. “But it takes all of us.”