2013 Broncos Season, Week 6

On Sunday, the Broncos experienced the definition of a trap game. Luckily they didn't fall in.

Week 6: Broncos 35, Jaguars 19
Season Record: 6-0 (4-0 home)
Key Play: In the third quarter, leading 28-19 on the cusp of another three and out, the Broncos ran a fake punt which David Bruton took for 35 yards and a first down. The Broncos' drive continued and they were able to put in another touchdown early in the fourth quarter to go up 35-19 and put the game away.

Recap: I don't love playing Jacksonville. Some weird things have happened in Jacksonville games, not the least of which is the most depressing playoff loss in Broncos' history. So it was easy to be uneasy about Sundays game, and for good reason. The Broncos came in red hot — 5-0 — off an emotional victory over Dallas. The team has the Colts, and Peyton Manning's emotional return to Indianapolis next week. The Jaguars came in 0-5 and the game had the biggest line in NFL history, Broncos -28 points. Of course what we got was an ugly, close game. I think part of it stems from Broncos' injuries — as Wesley Woodyard and Robert Ayers were out Sunday — and some fatigue and rust. Champ Bailey returned for the first time this season, but he didn't look to be in peak form. Chris Harris is coming off an injury, too, so the secondary wasn't as sharp as it could have been. Neither was the offense. It was easy to get the feeling that the team was already looking ahead. The play was sloppy and imprecise, which isn't like this Manning-led Broncos team. That being said, the team won. When a 35-point output is the worst of the season, you're still doing something right. At some point during a season even good teams have to find a way to win when they're not at their best. That was the Broncos yesterday. They found a way to win even in a game when they weren't at their best. Ultimately, that's the most important. With Von Miller and, hopefully, Woodyard coming back on Sunday, the Broncos should improve on defense. They need to in order to earn a championship. Denver is 6-0, but that isn't the ultimate goal. The season is meaningless without getting to the Super Bowl.

Game Balls:
* Knowshon Moreno. A big bright spot is Moreno, who leads the league with seven rushing touchdowns. He is the best of the Broncos' running back, and he's been a weapon in the pass game too. The Broncos need balance on offense, and Moreno gives the Broncos that balance.

* Danny Trevathan. Trevathan continues to impress as a key cog in the defense. On opening night he dropped the ball just short of scoring, and embarrassing play, but since then he's been a solid part of Denver's front seven. For the second game in a row he made a key interception to seal a victory.

* David Bruton. Bruton has long been a key part of the special teams, but he had the biggest play on Sunday as he took a fake punt for 35 yards and a big first down. That really swung the game for Denver.

Areas of Concern:
* Pass Defense. Champ Bailey isn't at his best, and neither was Chris Harris. But for the second week in a row the Broncos got torched through the air. It isn't all about the secondary (see point two on this list), but they need to improve to handle better teams.

* Pass Rush. We don't really have one. Sure, the Broncos got some pressure on Chad Henne late which helped stymie the Jaguars offense, but the lack of pressure and push up front is part of what's exposing the Broncos' pass defense. The front seven needs to get more pressure to help the Broncos' defense return to a more dominant form.

* Offensive Line. Ryan Clady is already out for the year, and Orlando Franklin was injured on Sunday. Hopefully Franklin isn't out for long, but the Broncos' line was poor Sunday. Manning got beat up a lot early, and center Manny Ramirez struggled with snaps, leading to two fumbles. That sloppy play needs to improve to keep this offensive machine humming.