The Denver Broncos play the Buffalo Bills this week in the former’s first playoff game. That said, Broncos tackle Mike McGlinchey — ahead of that — reflected on Week 18 vs. the Los Angeles Chargers. Most notably, the Broncos’ offense drove down the field into the red zone three times, but settled for field goals. In the playoffs, that won’t cut it.
Mike McGlinchey Reflects on Week 18 vs. Chargers
McGlinchey said, “I think well, first and foremost, the obvious thing is executing in the red zone. You have to turn field goals into touchdowns, and that’s how you win games, especially this late in the year and especially as you go through the playoffs. [We] have to be better on third down, and have to be better on third down by being better on first and second down.”
In 58 plays in Week 18, the Broncos were 33% on third down as well. On the season, the Broncos’ offense is No. 10 in total yards per game (342.6) — that includes No. 11 in passing yards per game (223.9) and No. 16 in rushing yards per game (118.7).
And the Bills’ defense, meanwhile, allows the seventh-fewest total yards per game (293.1). That includes allowing the fewest passing yards per game (156.9) but the fifth-most rushing yards per game (136.2). In a passing league, pick offense over defense. So, it’s a good opportunity for the Bo Nix-led Broncos offense.
McGlinchey added, “It’s kind of a whole, as you go through these things, there are the ups and downs of the season, especially when you play a team twice in your division who’s a very good team as well. So it’s just one of those things. You just got to clean up the details, and we’ll be fine.”
Heading into the second round of the playoffs, the Bills are No. 3 in PFSN’s NFL Offense Impact Metric — while the Broncos are No. 15. And on the other side of the ball, the Broncos are atop PFSN’s NFL Defense Impact Metric — while the Bills are No. 13.
“‘Hey, we’ve been here,” McGlinchey said. “We’ve done that and we’ve been in this position before,’ because all confidence is is just earned from repeated reps.”
