The Denver Broncos’ offensive line was a glaring weakness in their 2015 championship run. From the lack of protection provided for Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler to the failure to consistently open running lanes for C.J. Anderson and then backup Ronnie Hillman, the unit was simply a liability.
But just as he had done with the defensive side of the ball after the Super Bowl shellacking at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks three seasons ago, Broncos general manager John Elway ventured out in the offseason and rebuilt the bookends of his line. The Duke added tackles Donald Stephenson and Russell Okung, and those moves that paid enormous dividends in the Broncos’ 21-20 nail-biting win against the Carolina Panthers that kicked off the 2016 NFL regular season.
First-time starting quarterback Trevor Siemian was given ample time in the pocket on the majority of his drop-backs and was sacked only twice by what many, including Gary Kubiak, consider one of the best front-sevens in all of football.
The group, however, saw their light shine brightest within the running and screen passing game. They provided assistance to workhorse running back C.J. Anderson who once again triumphed in a primetime game rushing for 92 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown on the ground. Fullback Andy Janovich also reaped the rewards of the big uglies’ dominant play as he sprinted 28 yards into the end zone on his first and only NFL carry. And finally, the big boys up front provided security for Anderson into the end zone on a vital 25-yard screen pass on the first play of the fourth quarter that ultimately swung momentum in Denver’s favor.
“Our O-line played fantastic tonight,” Anderson said after the game. “They deserve all of the credit.”
“I’m encouraged, that’s the biggest thing,” head coach Gary Kubiak added on Friday morning. “I told them today, ‘I’m encouraged in what we can be.’ I was very encouraged by our tackle play. I thought Michael Schofield getting his first start at guard—which he earned—played well. Matt ran the group—we faced a lot of fronts, a lot of different looks—and Matt really handled the group really well. I think it’s encouraging with the direction we’re heading.”
The old cliché that the game is won in the trenches rang true in the team’s first outing. For a position group that arguably had the most question marks entering week one of the season, the offensive line showed up in spectacular fashion.
Many of the proven units on the team, surprisingly, made their mistakes. That, combined with the performance of the previously unproven line sparks a lot of confidence in the future of the 2016 Denver Broncos.
