Third down work first rate vs. L.A.
Upon further review
1. Record third-down day. The Broncos’ offense entered Sunday ranked 27th in third-down conversion rate (34.6), which means their production against the Chargers was a thunderbolt. The Broncos clicked at 72.7% (8 of 11) — the franchise’s highest in at least 30 years (the previous high was 71.4% vs. Indianapolis in 1993). 2. Four-man pass rush produces. The Broncos rushed five or more players on only 10 of Chargers QB Justin Herbert’s 53 drop-backs — the rate of 17.2% was the second-lowest this year behind 15.2% at Dallas. All three sacks came with four-man rushes — OLB Stephen Weatherly (4.43 seconds), OLB Malik Reed/dl Deshawn Williams (4.65) and DL Mctelvin Agim (2.82). The defense had a season-high 17 disruptions (three sacks, four knockdowns and 10 pressures). DL Dre’mont Jones had one knockdown and five pressures. 3. Great call at great time. Third-andgoal from the nine doesn’t generally mean a run play. But offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur made a great call in the first quarter, using three receivers and a detached tight end to spread out the Chargers’ defense. Los Angeles had only five defenders in the box. RB Javonte Williams got a second-level block from C Lloyd Cushenberry and scored the touchdown. “Helluva call by Pat, great execution by the players,” coach Vic Fangio. The Chargers should have dared QB Drew Lock to make a play.
4. Full-time sub-package. The Broncos used their sub packages on 68 of the Chargers’ 71 offensive snaps — 40 nickel (5DB), 27 dime (6DB) and one with seven defensive backs. The dime total was a seasonhigh and the Broncos used sevendefensive back personnel (S P.J. Locke was the extra defender) for only the fourth play all year. 5. Cautious play-calling. The word and view on Herbert last year was his ability to push the football down the field with his strong arm. That makes the Chargers’ playcalling against the Broncos peculiar. Of Herbert’s 44 attempts, only four traveled at least 16 “air” yards (3 of 4 for 58 yards and one touchdown). Sure, the Broncos often dropped seven in coverage, but Herbert and WRS Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Jalen Guyton are too good not to challenge teams more often downfield.
6. Protecting Teddy/drew. The Chargers rushed five or more defenders on 11 of the 28 drop-backs by Lock and Teddy Bridgewater (39.3%). The Broncos’ patched-up offensive line allowed only six disruptions, tied for their fewest of the year (the Jets had six in Week 3). The only sack was by Joey Bosa, who used an inside twist to get past LG Netane Muti in 2.63 seconds.