BSN Breakdown: Broncos' 2015 offense one of worst in recent franchise history

 

Uneven quarterback play?

Check.

A struggling offensive line?

Affirmative.

A below-average ground game?

Yep.

It’s all added up to a down offensive year across the board for your Denver Broncos, who failed to have an offensive player selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2007.

The Orange & Blue rank 18^th in the league in scoring (22 points per game), 23^rd in total yards (342.5) and 18^th in rushing (99.6), yet are 10-4 and on the verge of a fifth-straight AFC West title and postseason berth.

Credit one of the league’s best defenses, which ranks in the top four in each of the above-mentioned categories.

Meanwhile, though, the 2015 Broncos’ offense will go down as one of the worst units, statistically, in recent franchise history. To illustrate that, we have taken the team’s current on-pace averages in a number of major statistical categories and charted where they would fall among the Denver offenses since the switch to a 16-game regular-season schedule in 1978 and matched them up with some comparable seasons from that time span.

(Note: Aside from the categories using straight averages, the strike-shortened, nine-game season of 1982 is omitted).

Anyway, here are the ugly details:

Offensive touchdowns

2015 (through 14 games): 27 (1.93 per contest)

On pace: 30 (would rank 33^rd out of last 37 Broncos’ seasons)

Worst since: 1999 (29 TD)

Historical comp: 30 – 1980 (8-8 finish)

Total yards

2015 (through 14 games): 4,795 (342.5)

On pace: 5,480 (20/37)

Worst since: 2009 (5,463)

Historical comp: 5,487 – 1994 (7-9)

Yards per play

2015 (through 14 games): 5.17

On pace: 5.17 (18/38)

Worst since: 2011 (4.98)

Historical comp: 5.15 – 1993 (9-7*)

Rushing yards

2015 (through 14 games): 1,395 (99.6)

On pace: 1,594 (34/37)

Worst since: 2010 (1,544)

Historical comp: 1,544 – 2010 (4-12)

Rushing yards per attempt

2015 (through 14 games): 3.90

On pace: 3.90 (25/38)

Worst since: 2010 (3.88)

Historical comp: 3.90 – 2001 (8-8)

Passing yards

2015 (through 14 games): 3,400 (242.9)

On pace: 3,886 (10/37)

Worst since: 2002 (3,824)

Historical comp: 3,824 – 2002 (8-8)

Passing TDs

2015 (through 14 games): 17 (1.21)

On pace: 19 (t26/37)

Worst since: 1999 (29)

Historical comp: 19 – 2003 (10-6*)

Interceptions thrown

2015 (through 14 games): 21 (1.5)

On pace: 24 (35/37)

Worst since: 1980 (25)

Historical comp: 25 – 1980 (8-8)

Sacks allowed

2015 (through 14 games): 34 (2.43)

On pace: 39 (t24/37)

Worst since: 2011 (42()

Historical comp: 39 – 1993 (9-7*)

 

*Made playoffs