Broncos' offense idles while defense floors foes

[bengaldee]

By Vicki Michaelis, USA TODAY
DENVER — The Broncos were up 13-0 at halftime against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday night, and with the way the Denver defense has been playing, kicker Jason Elam figured those 13 points would be enough for a win.
Good thing he was right.

The Broncos' defense maintained its stingy ways in Denver's 13-3 victory. But the Broncos' offense also continued on an increasingly confounding course.

In the second half, Denver (4-1) didn't cross into Oakland territory until the last drive of the game, when it no longer mattered.

"I like seeing our defense play," Broncos receiver Rod Smith said, "but not that much."

The lack of productivity was symptomatic of the Broncos' season-long struggle to establish their historically reliable running game, which Denver coach Mike Shanahan uses to open up other offensive options. Some of it was because of conservative play-calling.

"We had a lot of opportunities we didn't take advantage of," said Smith, who had one catch Sunday and has 16 catches for 136 yards this season, far off his usual team-leading pace.

"When you've got the game won," Shanahan said, "you don't want to take too many chances."

While Denver's defense, which has allowed one touchdown in five games, is the toast of the town, the offense is the talk of it.

The Broncos are averaging 12.4 points a game, ahead of only the winless Raiders (10 points a game) and tied with the 1-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers in scoring offense.

"There's some concern," Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer admitted after Sunday's game.

Against Denver's next opponent, the 1-4 Cleveland Browns, the concern might not reach a critical level. But after that, the Broncos host the Indianapolis Colts and visit the pissburgh stealers, games in which the defense is likely to need the offense to do its part.

The offensive sputtering has fed speculation that Plummer's tenure as the Broncos' starter could end sometime this season or before next, especially after rookie Jay Cutler impressed in the preseason.

Shanahan reminded reporters Sunday that Plummer, last in the league with a 63.1 passer rating, is surrounded with new players at receiver, running back and tight end. Yet, with the exception of rookie tight end Tony Scheffler, whose play has not matched the potential he showed during training camp and exhibition games, the key players among the newcomers are performing at fairly high levels.

Javon Walker, acquired in a draft-day trade from Green Bay, was on the receiving end of the pivotal offensive play of Sunday's game, a 54-yard pass from Plummer that set up Tatum Bell for a 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

Walker has 388 yards receiving and has been the go-to guy for first downs.

Bell, in his third season with the Broncos but his first as the regular starter, has 470 yards on 100 carries. He showed his mettle in a 13-3 win vs. Baltimore, gaining crucial late-game yards with Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis draped on him.

Such flashes have the Broncos expressing confidence their offense won't be the silent partner for long.

"We've got good guys and great athletes over there that are going to come around," Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams said.