Broncos up- down drill: Highs and lows for Denver against the Dolphins
First with Phil. A week after carrying the ball just four times in a blowout loss to the Raiders, Phillip Lindsay got the call on the Broncos’ very first offensive snap of the game. Sure, it went for no gain, but that’s sending the right message to a running back Denver desperately needs to retain this offseason.
Ticky- tack flag. Justin Simmons made an incredible leaping grab to secure what should have been his fourth interception of the season. Instead, it was negated by what could only generously be described as a “weak” flag on A. J. Bouye. If that’s holding, we might as well throw hankies on the turf after every pass play. ( Of course, Simmons got the last laugh in the fourth quarter.)
Hamler- handed. The Broncos’ first touchdown drive doesn’t happen if rookie wide receiver KJ Hamler doesn’t make a tough grab on thirdand10 under extreme pressure. The ball and Dolphins defensive back Nik Needham arrived at the same time, but Hamler held on for a
15- yard gain and Denver moved the chains to spark a six- minute march down the field.
Clotheslines allowed? DeMarcus Walker will get credit for a driveending sack of Tua Tagovailoa near the end of the second quarter, but Bradley Chubb made it happen with his bulldog rush up the middle — one impeded only by a WWE- style clothesline hold from Dolphins left guard Ereck Flowers that somehow went unflagged. Couldn’t have been more obvious.
Push from Cush. A great deal has been made about the rookie mistakes made by center Lloyd Cushenberry so far this season, but the LSU product showed great agility pulling and springing Lindsay for a 20- yard run on Denver’s first scoring drive of the game. Of course, the rookie was responsible for a false start on the very next play. So, still a work in progress.
Seeing Reed. After being nearly invisible in the Broncos’ two losses at Atlanta and Las Vegas ( four total tackles), outside linebacker Malik Reed was a force of nature in the first half against the Dolphins on Sunday, notching one sack, two tackles for loss and two QB hits. An undrafted rookie just two seasons ago, the Nevada grad is making a case as a long- term piece to the Broncos puzzle.
Poetic justice. Called up from the practice squad this week, secondyear defensive back Alijah Holder lived up to his surname with a completely unnecessary hold on a Miami punt that pushed the Broncos back to their own 19- yard line to begin their second drive of the third quarter.
The right stuff. The return of Demar Dotson at right tackle — coupled with some explosive pull blocks from Broncos O- line counterparts Garett Bolles, Dalton Risner and Cushenberry — opened up big holes for the run game on the right side that continually produced chunk yardage for Phillip Lindsay and Melvin Gordon.
Fourth and short. Yet up the middle on fourth- and- 1 at the Miami 14- yard line on Denver’s first drive of the second half? Nothing doing for Melvin Gordon. Love the decision to go for it from Vic Fangio. Don’t even hate the call. Just need better execution.
Downfield dog. On the first play of a gotta- have- it drive midway through the fourth quarter, KJ Hamler helped spring Noah Fant for a 29- yard gain on a short pass play with a great downfield block. The 5- foot- 9, 178- pound wide receiver may be small, but he is mighty.
Cardinal sin. Melvin Gordon’s fumbling issues seem to arise at the worst possible time — like with Denver driving inside the Miami
10- yard line and on the verge of icing the game late in the fourth quarter. Justifiably, Gordon didn’t touch the ball again when the Broncos got the ball back.
Pre- game music. Once the Broncos completed their warm- ups, leaving the Dolphins to themselves, the music selection detoured to Wham!, El DeBarge and Men At Work.
Duke Dawson’s role. The Broncos’ core special teams player and dime defensive back was a healthy scratch for the first time this year. Dawson allowed a long completion last week to Las Vegas tight end Darren Waller.
Last game with fans. Let us get this straight: No fan who has attended a Broncos game this year has knowingly gotten coronavirus as a result? Allowing 5,700 fans into a huge stadium is a health risk? Oh well, see you in 2021, Broncos Country.
Dolphins uniforms. The white jerseys were fine, but the aqua- tealsomethingor- other pants and aquatealsomething- or- other socks? No thanks. Here’s hoping Miami goes back to the old- school uniforms they wore last week.