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Denver Broncos: 3 Vital statistics for 2019 season

By Russell S. Baxter

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 19: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Denver Broncos is greeted on the field by outside linebacker Von Miller #58 during player introductions before a preseason National Football League game against the San Francisco 49ers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 19: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Denver Broncos is greeted on the field by outside linebacker Von Miller #58 during player introductions before a preseason National Football League game against the San Francisco 49ers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 18: Linebacker Todd Davis #51 of the Denver Broncos reacts after returning an interception for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 18: Linebacker Todd Davis #51 of the Denver Broncos reacts after returning an interception for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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Thanks to a sturdy front seven, the 2015 Denver Broncos were extremely hard to move the ball on via the ground (or basically anywhere). That team gave up the fewest total yards and passing yards in the league that season and only two teams surrendered fewer yards on the ground. But that latter aspect of this unit has taken a beating in the Mile High City in recent years.

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In 2016, Denver allowed the fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL. This unit rebounded in ’17, finishing fifth in the league in that category on the positive side. But this past season, an inconsistent performance where it came to this area saw the team ranked 21st vs. the run, allowing 119.6 yards per game on the ground.

It was lowlighted by a three-game stretch in which the Broncos allowed a whopping 735 yards rushing in losses to the Kansas City Chiefs (142), New York Jets (323) and Los Angeles Rams (270). On the other hand, Denver limited nine of its 16 opponents to fewer than 100 yards in the ground.

Enter new head coach Vic Fangio, as well as defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, both via the Windy City. The Chicago Bears were the NFL’s top-ranked rushing defense in the NFL in 2018. Hence, don’t be surprised if Fangio’s newest club proves to be a little stauncher vs. the run this season.

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