Entering the game against a 2-9 Jacksonville team, this looked like the week the Broncos offense might finally have a chance to break out of its funk. Those hopes were put in serious doubt midweek when Trevor Simian could not practice due to an ankle sprain and it became clear that Paxton Lynch would get his second NFL start. They were dashed entirely when the rookie was inaccurate and struggled to move the ball against a Jaguars defense that ranked 27th in the league in points allowed entering the game. Thanks to another strong performance by the defense and special teams, though, Denver only needed one good offensive drive to help deliver a 20-10 victory and get back into the playoff picture.

That one good drive came with 11:01 remaining in the second quarter and saw the Broncos march 75 yards for their lone offensive touchdown of the day. Most importantly, it came on the heels of a go-ahead Jaguars field goal – Jacksonville’s only lead of the day.

The key to the Denver scoring drive was a ground game that came to life, producing 53 yards on the ground. Kapri Bibbs and Devontae Booker played a little “thunder and lightning” on their six combined carries and Russell Okung effectively carried Booker across the goal line for a 6-yard touchdown run. Bibbs had the two biggest run plays of the game on the drive, breaking free for 24 yard and 13 yards sandwiched around a Demaryius Thomas 7-yard reception.

Denver did get help from Jacksonville on the drive, earning a first down by penalty after Paxton Lynch stood tall in the pocket and took a roughing the passer penalty to keep the drive alive from his own 30.

That was all the offense had to produce, as the defense assisted with 10 points of their own. Bradley Roby returned an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter and Von Miller produced a strip sack inside Jacksonville territory that set up a Brandon McManus field goal inside of the 2:00 warning.

It was a statement game for the defense and special teams, who were asked to help deliver the win despite 11 punts by the offense, after both units struggled in an overtime loss to Kansas City one week ago. Punter Riley Dixon averaged 46 yards on his 11 kicks and pinned the Jaguars inside their own 20 three times. Newly promoted punt returner Kalif Raymond struggled on his first play, but had a key return and generated a Jacksonville penalty on the return that helped set up Denver’s other field goal in the game.

The offensive line actually held up much better than they had in previous weeks and were instrumental in the touchdown drive. Head coach Gary Kubiak added a sixth lineman to help protect Lynch, which also opened up the big holes for Bibbs.

The offense is by no means on track. If anything, the win showed that Paxton Lynch still needs a great deal of time before he’s capable of putting a team on his shoulders. But Lynch and the offense didn’t give the ball away (Jacksonville had three turnovers, two which led to points), and there are some things to build from on Denver’s one offensive touchdown drive.

Optimism comes a bit easier after a win, especially one that puts Denver back in the playoff picture. At 8-4, Denver jumps past Miami, who lost to Baltimore, for the No. 6 seed and now controls their own destiny heading into the final four weeks of the season.

With games against Tennessee, New England, Kansas City and Oakland remaining, the offense will have to do better than one touchdown, but for now Broncos Country can be happy with the victory.

Here’s what the team at MHS (and some of our favorite follows) had to say about Denver’s key touchdown drive and the offensive line as a whole during Sunday’s win…