The Denver Broncos’ offense looked downright unstoppable in their recent 44-24 rout of the Dallas Cowboys. It’s their invigorated run attack that has them looking like the team toeing the line in Orlando this December. Running backs J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey led the charge, combining for an impressive rushing attack that secured the win and highlighted their potential for future matchups.
In a game played at Empower Field at Mile High, the Broncos utilized their rushing attack effectively, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. The team finished with 28 rushing attempts, only one fewer than their 29 passing attempts. This balance is a great display of the offensive gameplan that Coach Sean Payton has preached heavily all year long. Couple that with the Broncos’ season-best 7.5 yards per play, and you’ll catch a glimpse of just how lock-solid this offensive unit was.
Dobbins had signed with the Broncos on a one-year deal in June. He was a star because he rushed for 111 yards on 15 carries, an average of 7.4 ypc. Blankenship had another stellar performance, as he notched his second 100-yard rushing game of the young season. It’s significant because the Broncos running back hasn’t accomplished this feat since Melvin Gordon achieved it in 2021. His propensity to run away from the field and get chunk yardage has lifted the dark horse running backs rushing attack.
In a quiet fashion, Harvey stole the show with his brilliant performance. He ended up with just 46 rushing yards. A game-changing 40-yard touchdown run from Mack was key, turning a 24-17 deficit into a 29-24 lead. Harvey had a career day on the field, scoring three touchdowns — two rushing and one receiving. His electrifying performance remained his versatility and knack for finding the end zone.
“We still haven’t scratched the surface of what we can do.” – J.K. Dobbins
McGlinchey’s comments After that big of a victory, an offensive lineman like McGlinchey would still tell you that there’s more to improve on as a team. He noted, “I don’t think we’re capable of scoring 33 points and only being able to score none in the previous three quarters,” highlighting the need for consistency across all quarters of play. McGlinchey pointed out that the mindset showcased in the fourth quarter of their previous game must be maintained throughout future contests.
The Broncos started to show just what they’re capable of in their past two games, especially in game-defining moments of their most recent win. Dobbins acknowledged this potential, stating, “I think what we are and what we’re capable of was shown in the fourth quarter a week ago … showed guys the mindset we need to be in all the time on offense.”
Though start still fine for the team, with a grueling gauntlet of games in the coming weeks. The Broncos have difficult tests in front of them. In fact, of their next four games, three of their opponents are among the top 13 in the country in run defense. Beyond this challenge lie the opportunities for Dobbins and Harvey. They can use this window to better cement themselves as important cogs in any offensive game plan.
“We ain’t there yet. The dream is to get a ring.” – J.K. Dobbins
Dobbins expressed his desire to continue proving himself as a lead back for the Broncos, stating, “I’m proving myself right that I made the right decision coming [here].” It’s this drive that inspires him to constantly and creatively work on his game. Most importantly, he wants to help the team succeed in every way possible.
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