ENGLEWOOD — The Denver Broncos are riding their first win streak since September, and the formula isn’t rocket science.
Force turnovers and limit giveaways. Decrease penalties and increase red zone production. Make critical plays at crucial times. What hasn’t dictated Denver’s recent success, though, is a surge of points.
Final score be damned. Just get the W.
“If we score 10 and hold them to 9,” coach Vance Joseph said, “I’m happy with that.”
The Broncos enter Sunday’s game at Cincinnati with the NFL’s No. 19 scoring offense at 22.9 points per game. They’ve eclipsed 30 points just once (45 at Arizona). Those statistics are in stark contrast to Denver’s 52 plays of 20-plus yards (tied sixth-most in the league).
And, the Broncos have scored touchdowns on seven of their last 10 trips inside the opponent’s red zone — proof that quarterback Case Keenum’s comfort level continues to grow.
“There’s a learning curve, but I think the curve just keeps going,” said Keenum. “Our defense is really good, but our best defense is when they’re sitting on the sidelines watching us drive down the field. We need to score more, and as we continue to grow and continue to get into late November and December, we’re going to have to have some big drives and go score some points when we really need to.”
The last truly prolific scoring offense in Denver came when Peyton Manning was at quarterback. Is Denver capable of returning to those glory days with these roster?
“I don’t even want to think about 2014, that offense or Peyton, it’s really just about the now,” said wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders of the Super Bowl team. “We’re 2-0 (the past two weeks), we’re rolling, we’re playing good football, we’re running the football, Case is getting us in position to move the chains and keep scoring points. And, our defense is creating turnovers. That’s the brand of football we’re playing and we’re winning. We’ve just got to keep that going.”
Sunday’s trip to Cincinnati figures to provide a boost. The Bengals are 1-5 over their last six games, fired defensive coordinator Teryl Austin earlier this month and have allowed opponents to score 30-or-more points six different times.
Cincinnati is equally susceptible through the air (292.6 yards/game) and the ground (147.5 yards/game). The Bengals’ 31.5 points given up per game rank last in the NFL.
However, those recent woes haven’t changed Joseph’s respect for a culture of toughness set by 16th-year Bengals’ coach Marvin Lewis — whom Joseph worked under as defensive backs coach from 2014-15, when the team had back-to-back playoff berths. “(Lewis) is very detailed in how he game plans and it shows in how his team plays each week,” Joseph said.
A confident Broncos offense will take the field with one goal in mind.
“I want to score every time we get the ball, hands down,” Keenum said.
Healthy Ray aims to finish strong
When Broncos outside linebacker Shane Ray suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 6 against the Los Angeles Rams, it was Shaq Barrett’s time to assume a larger pass-rushing responsibility.
The roles are now reversed. Barrett’s hip flexor injury will keep him out of at least Sunday’s game at Cincinnati. Enter Ray, who has one sack and nine tackles this year.
“We’re prepared,” Ray said after practice Wednesday. “When I went down, as bad as it was, Shaq said, ‘I’m going to go in and make plays.’ (Now ) I have go in and make plays and do what I need to do to help the team and help myself.”
Help the team: The Broncos are 5-6 and count on their reserve pass rushers to sub in for Von Miller and Bradley Chubb and also play third-down as a part of their speed package.
Help himself: Ray is scheduled to be a free agent in March and a strong finish, production- and health-wise, would help his market value.
Ray missed the Arizona game and the second Kansas City game. He returned against the Texans in Week 10 but admittedly wasn’t at full strength.
“The Texans game was my first time back and I was kind of slow out there and it was still painful to play,” Ray said.
