Patchwork offensive line rises to occasion in win over Chargers
For most of Sunday’s game, the Broncos played with four backups on the offensive line.
But that patchwork unit passed its test in the 28-13 upset of the Chargers at Empower Field. Center Lloyd Cushenberry was the only Week 1 starter to play the entire game.
“Cush was basically the lone survivor,” quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said. “Hats off to those guys up front for competing, containing the Chargers’ rush, opening the holes for the running backs, protecting in the pass game.”
Heading into Sunday’s game, Denver was already missing three starters: left tackle Garett Bolles (COVID list), right tackle Bobby Massie (inactive due to ankle injury), and right guard Graham Glasgow (out for the year with an ankle fracture). In the first quarter against Los Angeles, left guard Dalton Risner exited with a back injury and didn’t return, while backup swing tackle Calvin Anderson (playing for Bolles) was carted off with a knee injury.
That left practice squaders to flank Cushenberry. Cam Fleming (who made his first career start in Week 10) was at right tackle for Massie, while rookie Quinn Meinerz filled in for Glasgow at right guard, secondyear pro Netane Muti came on for Risner at left guard and Quinn Bailey spelled Anderson at left tackle.
Bailey, who has spent most of the past three seasons on the Broncos’ practice squad, was elevated to the game-day roster Sunday. Despite playing only five snaps this year, Bailey’s consistency impressed coach Vic Fangio enough to warrant a game ball following the win.
“Those (backups) did a great job,” Fangio said. “Quinn Bailey comes off the practice squad and plays a ton of plays against some good pass rushers, and obviously we ran the ball well. Thrilled for him. And Muti comes in, first action he’s had in a while, and I’m thrilled for him too. And we already had backups out there. Unfortunately, we seem to have the patent on losing guys (to injury) this year.”
The Broncos offense didn’t quite have the same rhythm after Bridgewater suffered a shin injury on the Broncos’ third possession when safety Derwin James came untouched on a blitz to level Bridgewater. But the line opened holes for 147 rushing yards, Denver’s thirdbest output this year.
The Broncos allowed one sack, tied for a season low with Week 10, and it cost them zero yards. Fleming said the Broncos’ ability to run the ball in all situations helped the makeshift front acclimate to game-speed. Melvin Gordon had 83 yards rushing, while rookie Javonte Williams had 54 yards and a touchdown.
“We want to run the ball, be physical, come downhill at opponents, and we were able to,” Fleming said. “Javonte’s definitely a big part of that, as well as Melvin. Their physicality on those runs helps us out a lot.”
Going forward into the pivotal Week 13 divisional showdown at Kansas City, the Broncos figure to get a few starters back on the offensive line. Bolles needs negative COVID tests on consecutive days to return. Massie, who practiced on a limited basis last week and has missed the past two games, could come back as well. And Fangio said Risner’s back injury is a “day-to-day” issue. Anderson’s injury. though, appeared severe.
Guard/center Austin Schlottmann was the final O-line reserve left on the bench, leading some to wonder who would be called in next if a couple more big guys went down.
“(Having to play offensive line) crossed my mind for like a second,” joked tight end Eric Saubert, who had his first career touchdown catch. “But I didn’t think we were going to get there.”