Overall, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi likes where the Broncos are as the postseason approaches.<\/p>\n
Denver is a win against a shorthanded Los Angeles Chargers team from securing the AFC\u2019s No. 1 seed and, to Lombardi\u2019s mind, the offense overall finds itself in a pretty good spot.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been playing a little bit better the past few games,\u201d Lombardi said Thursday. \u201cProbably since the first Vegas game, really happy with the way (quarterback Bo Nix) has been progressing. You\u2019re always trying to ascend. And that becomes even more urgent as the playoffs start. Certainly there are things that we\u2019re always trying to improve on and play better.\u201d<\/p>\n
One trouble spot: Drops.<\/p>\n
The Broncos, according to Pro Football Reference, are second in the NFL in drops at 42. Their 7.5.% drop rate is easily the highest since PFR started tracking the stat in 2018. Denver hadn\u2019t had a season above 6.2 in any of the previous seven seasons. Under head coach Sean Payton, Denver\u2019s drop rate went from 4% in 2023 to 5.8% last year to now 7.5%.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe drops are a big thing we\u2019re trying to clean up,\u201d Lombardi said.<\/p>\n
Running backs Tyler Badie (13.8%) and RJ Harvey (11.1%) join tight end Evan Engram (11.1%) as regular targets with double-digit drop rates, while a couple of more seldomly targeted players like running back Jaleel McLaughlin (one drop on four targets) and tight end Nate Adkins (three on 11) have elevated rates, too.<\/p>\n
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton\u2019s 6.6% drop rate is right in line with where he\u2019s been each of the past three seasons, though the raw number for Denver\u2019s leading receiver is tied for third-most in the NFL with Engram, Dallas\u2019 CeeDee Lamb and New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor.<\/p>\n
Fairly clean bill of health. The Broncos had a fairly clean bill of health again Thursday.<\/p>\n
The only player on the 53-man roster who didn\u2019t practice was inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw (hamstring), who did conditioning work on the side field.<\/p>\n
Rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant (concussion) took the final step to clear the league\u2019s protocol Thursday when he practiced fully. Tight end Nate Adkins (knee) also was a full participant. Those two players are on track to play Sunday against the Chargers.<\/p>\n
For the Chargers, OLB Khalil Mack and S Derwin James each practiced in a limited capacity after being DNPs on Wednesday. Neither has an injury designation and they were limited due to rest. Same with OLB Tuli Tuipulotu for the second straight day. QB Justin Herbert, already ruled out by coach Jim Harbaugh, did not practice Thursday.<\/p>\n
Run game percolating. The Broncos haven\u2019t run the ball as efficiently since J.K. Dobbins was injured in early November, though they\u2019ve found ways to run the ball in key situations at times.<\/p>\n
Overall, the numbers are down substantially.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been some key moments when it\u2019s been good,\u201d Lombardi said. \u201cAlways striving to be more consistent and more explosive. We think RJ is coming along in that way. Think Jaleel has been running the ball well \u2014 he\u2019s had some big runs for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always something we\u2019re looking to improve on, but we\u2019re confident in it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bragging rights. It\u2019s College Football Playoff time, which means bragging rights are particularly coveted in NFL locker rooms.<\/p>\n
One perhaps unlikely pairing: Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi was thrilled to see Miami dominate Ohio State on New Years Even. That\u2019s because one of his sons, Casey, is a redshirt freshman linebacker for the Hurricanes.<\/p>\n
His oldest, Christian, is now an offensive analyst at Appalachian State but was with Texas as a long snapper last year during the CFP.<\/p>\n