Listen: Emmanuel Sanders discusses Broncos' struggling run game
Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders opened up about Denver’s offensive struggles on Pro Football Now, emphasizing the team’s need to improve in the running game.
In conversation with host Nate Burleson, Sanders was candid regarding the defending champs’ necessary adjustments. Denver is 4–2 entering Monday’s game against Houston.
“I’m not pointing fingers at nobody — collectively as an offense, whoever, whatever it is, we need to fix that issue. It starts with the run game,” he explained, before noting that teams are focusing their attention on him and fellow wideout Demaryius Thomas.
“We gotta be able to run the football because teams are coming out...teams are starting to play zone coverage, Cover 2. You gotta be able to run the football when they go and play us like that, when they’re dropping so deep into the curl, into the flat. ... Teams don’t want to play us man. As humble as I can say that, teams do not want to play us man.
“We gotta be able to run the football, we’re trying to get to that point, [and] the moment we start running the football, we’ll become way more productive as an offensive unit.”
The Broncos have leaned on tailback C.J. Anderson, and to a much lesser degree on rookie Devontae Booker when running the football. The team ranks 16th in rushing yards and 22nd in yards per carry, 20th in passing yards and 23rd in total offense this season, with Trevor Siemian taking over for Peyton Manning at quarterback.