Week 4 Game Recap: Denver Broncos 20, Jacksonville Jaguars 7

What you need to know

Denver Broncos

The Broncos played a very solid game in most facets of the game against the Jaguars. Despite two early missed field goals by their kicker, Jason Elam, the Broncos rallied to win the game comfortably.

The Denver running game was one of the keys to their offensive success, as Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell combined for 175 rushing yards against Jacksonville’s normally stout run defense. The effectiveness of the running game was evident in the two touchdowns Denver scored. Both touchdown plays began inside the five yard line, with Jake Plummer faking a handoff to the running back and throwing passes to reserve offensive lineman and former tight end Dwayne Carswell who caught them both for touchdowns.

Plummer distributed the ball among ten different receivers, with Rod Smith receiving the most passes thrown his way, with six targets. Ashley Lelie was targeted in the end zone once, but did not have a chance to catch the ball due to his defender being called for a pass interference penalty. On the next play, Plummer threw one of his touchdown passes to Carswell.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars began the game playing very aggressively on defense, but their offense could not remain on the field, and as a result their defense was worn down by Denver’s running game. Jacksonville’s offense was victimized by multiple penalties during the game, including three false starts on their first three drives.

Jacksonville was unable to generate a running game, and as a result Byron Leftwich was faced with relentless pressure when he dropped back to pass. Jacksonville did not score any points in the first half.

The lone highlight came when Jimmy Smith turned a short pass from Leftwich into a 45 yard touchdown catch and run. Smith made several defenders miss then outran another one to the end zone for the Jaguars’ only score in the game.

Most of Leftwich’s 240 passing yards came in the second half and, other than Smith’s touchdown catch, came in the latter stages of the game when Denver’s defense played more conservatively and gave up short passes.

What you ought to know

QB Jake Plummer, Pass: 19 - 26 - 136 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - -3 - 0

Plummer did a good job of managing the game. He took advantage of the running game and usually attempted safer, mid-range throws. On the few occasions he threw deep, he either did not have much time to throw, or the pass was well defended by the Jaguars’ defensive backs. He knew where he wanted to go with the football, and usually got rid of the ball quickly and accurately, though usually on shorter throws. In this game, Plummer was not asked to air it out a lot, which resulted in his low passing yardage numbers.

RB Mike Anderson, Rush: 23 - 115 - 0, Rec: 3 - 27 - 0 (3 targets)

Anderson ran very well in the game, showing both power between the tackles and a burst that got him into the Jacksonville secondary several times. He also displayed good hands and converted all of his receiving opportunities into positive gains. Anderson was used three times on plays that required two or fewer yards for a first down, and was given the ball on a first and goal play from the nine yard line.

RB Tatum Bell, Rush: 15 - 60 - 0, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (3 targets)

Bell took good advantage of his running opportunities, and was almost as productive as Anderson in terms of yards per carry. He ran decisively and usually required more than one defender to bring him down. He spelled Anderson in both halves of the game and was utilized both between the tackles and on plays designed to go outside.

RB Ron Dayne, Rush: 2 - 3 - 0

Dayne gained his three yards on one carry up the middle in a short yardage situation.

RB Kyle Johnson, Rec: 1 - -2 - 0 (1 targets)

Johnson was involved as a pass receiver just once, as an outlet receiver.

RB Cecil Sapp, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (1 targets)

Sapp was used as an outlet receiver once in the second half.

WR Rod Smith, Rec: 4 - 33 - 0 (6 targets)

Smith made the most of the passes that came his way, which were usually of the short to intermediate variety. He showed he still runs his routes well as he was able to get himself open for the receptions he made, by separating himself from his defender. However, he did not have many yards after the catch.

WR Charlie Adams, Rush: 1 - 13 - 0, Rec: 1 - 9 - 0 (1 targets)

Adams was used twice in the game, once on a reverse, which he ran for 13 yards. And on one target which he pulled in for a nine yard gain.

WR Ashley Lelie, Rec: 1 - 13 - 0 (4 targets)

Lelie was not targeted much as Denver relied on their running game and the shorter passing game, more than the deep pass. When Lelie was involved in the passing game, he was thrown to deep, but without success. He was the first option on a second and goal play from the seven yard line, but the Jaguars’ defender was called for pass interference and did not give him a chance to catch the ball.

TE Stephen Alexander, Rec: 3 - 27 - 0 (3 targets)

Alexander was used as a target over the middle. He was utilized as more of a safety valve.

TE Jeb Putzier, Rec: 2 - 15 - 0 (5 targets)

Putzier was used on some deeper routes. He showed some strength as he dragged a Jacksonville defensive back a few yards for a first down on one of his receptions.

TE Dwayne Carswell (2 targets)

Carswell scored both of the touchdowns for the Denver Broncos in the second quarter. The first was for two yards, the second for one yard. He was not targeted any other time in the game.

PK Jason Elam 2 - 4 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points

Elam uncharacteristically missed his first two field goal attempts, from 41 and 46 yards. The 46 yard miss was due to a block by one of the Jacksonville defenders. Elam was flawless after that, completing field goal attempts of 33 and 42 yards in the fourth quarter.

DEN Rush Defense

Denver’s defense was outstanding defending against the run. They held Jacksonville to a franchise low 12 yards rushing on 11 attempts. Fred Taylor did not have much room to operate and did not have a run longer than five yards. The Denver defenders played very aggressively, with the linebackers providing a lot of support to the defensive linemen.

DEN Pass Defense

Denver’s pass defense was good considering they have been hit by injury. Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey missed the game due to injury. They applied pressure on Byron Leftwich throughout the game. They were able to sack him twice, gather in two interceptions and recover two fumbles, but Leftwich was hurried and knocked down many times during the game, and as a result did not have much time to throw the ball.

QB Byron Leftwich, Pass: 20 - 34 - 240 - 1 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 1 - 3 - 0

Leftwich did not appear comfortable during the game. He was hurried, knocked down and sacked, as the Denver defense teed off on him, as Jacksonville could not get their running game started. Most of Leftwich’s yards came in the second half, and were as a result of a nice running by Jimmy Smith who turned an intermediate pass into a 45 yard touchdown play, and Denver playing conservatively once they had command of the game in the fourth quarter. Both of Leftwich’s interceptions came on long pass plays where the Denver defensive backs made very good plays on the ball, taking a more aggressive approach to the ball than the intended receivers. Leftwich was hit several times throughout the game, but stayed in for the entire duration.

RB Fred Taylor, Rush: 8 - 14 - 0, Rec: 1 - 13 - 0 (2 targets)

Taylor was not a factor in this game. He was only able to carry the ball eight times, and was not utilized much in the passing game. It appeared that Denver’s defenders manhandled Jacksonville’s offensive line, as Taylor spent most of his eight carries attempting to evade a Bronco defender behind the line of scrimmage. Taylor did have one reception called back due to a penalty on one of Jacksonville’s offensive linemen.

RB Alvin Pearman, Rec: 4 - 42 - 0 (4 targets)

Pearman looked very good in the few chances he was given. He averaged over ten yards per reception, and displayed good hands and quickness when running after the catch. He made several Broncos defenders miss while turning a short pass into an 18 yard gain on a third and 19 play. He was on the field for most of the third and long plays, as LaBrandon Toefield was active but on the bench.

RB Greg Jones, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (1 targets)

Jones was used primarily as a blocker in the game.

WR Jimmy Smith, Rec: 5 - 109 - 1 (10 targets)

Smith was clearly Leftwich’s preferred target, especially when Jacksonville needed a first down. Smith showed he still has tremendous route running ability and enough speed to get by defenders. These attributes were all on display on a play where he turned a short throw into a 45 yard touchdown play.

WR Matt Jones, Rush: 1 - -7 - 0, Rec: 3 - 27 - 0 (6 targets)

Jones was used mostly on an ill-fated reverse attempt and short to intermediate routes. He was targeted deep once, but that led to an interception, as the Denver safety helping on the play made a strong break on the ball and got there before Jones did. Other than that he was not asked to do anything special in terms of using his well advertised deep speed.

WR Reggie Williams, Rec: 3 - 22 - 0 (8 targets)

Williams was thrown to almost as many times as Jimmy Smith, but was not nearly as productive. He did have one long catch overturned after instant replay review determined he had one foot out of bounds. Williams used his size well on the receptions he made, but could have held on to more of the balls thrown his way.

WR Ernest Wilford, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (4 targets)

Wilford was used as a possession type receiver except on one play where he was sent deep. That play resulted in one of Leftwich’s interceptions.

TE George Wrighster, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (1 targets)

Wrighster was only involved once in the passing game and was not much of a factor.

PK Josh Scobee 0 - 0 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 1 points

Scobee did not participate much in this game, and had only one extra point attempt, which he converted.

JAX Rush Defense

The Jaguars began the game defending the run well, but due to the offense’s ineptitude, were forced to be on the field a lot early on without the benefit of much rest. This enabled Denver to pound away at Jacksonville successfully in the running game, and end the game with some very good number, 188 yards rushing at a 4.3 yards per carry clip.

JAX Pass Defense

Jacksonville’s pass defense was adequate against the Broncos. Despite giving up two short throws for touchdowns, they held Jake Plummer to 136 passing yards on 26 attempts. The longest completion was for 14 yards, and when Plummer attempted to go deep, he did not have much success. Jacksonville recorded three sacks, with all of them made by their defensive linemen, including one and a half by Reggie Hayward, who was playing against his former team.