Complete Game Yet to Play by the Denver Broncos Offense

The Denver Broncos’ offense in 2025 has been a study in flashes—dominant in stretches, dormant in others—but a true “complete game” has eluded them through 10 weeks. A complete game, defined by balanced production across run and pass, consistency on first, second, and third downs, and efficiency in both red-zone scoring and field position management, remains a missing piece for an offense that has all the talent to be elite. While the Broncos rank 12th in total offense (352.8 yards per game) and 6th in rushing (142.3 yards per game), their inability to string together four quarters of cohesive play has cost them two winnable games and left them trailing the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West. The offense’s disjointed performances aren’t due to a lack of skill—Javonte Williams is a Pro Bowl-caliber running back, Russell Wilson is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, and the offensive line is one of the league’s most improved units—but rather a failure to sync all components for 60 minutes. Complete Game Yet to Play by the Denver Broncos Offense thus explores why this cohesion is missing, how it’s holding the team back, and what needs to change to finally put it all together.

A key marker of a complete game—balance between run and pass—has been inconsistent for the Broncos. On paper, their run-pass split (58% run, 42% pass) aligns with Sean Payton’s run-first philosophy, but in execution, the offense often abandons the pass when the run is working or abandons the run when the pass struggles. Against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5, the Broncos rushed for 215 yards in the first half but threw just 8 passes—allowing the Raiders to stack the box in the second half and limit Williams to 32 yards on 12 carries. Conversely, against the Buffalo Bills in Week 7, Wilson threw 34 passes (completing 18) while the run game was largely ignored (18 carries for 68 yards)—even though the Bills’ run defense ranked 28th entering the game. This lack of balance disrupts rhythm: the offensive line, which excels at run blocking, struggles to adjust to sudden pass-heavy scripts, and Wilson often faces extra pressure when the defense doesn’t have to respect the run. “Balance isn’t just about numbers—it’s about keeping the defense guessing,” said offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. “When we lean too hard on one phase, we make it easy for opponents to game-plan against us. A complete game means mixing run and pass in a way that feels unpredictable.” Complete Game Yet to Play by the Denver Broncos Offense thus frames balance as the foundation of a cohesive performance.

Another gap in the Broncos’ quest for a complete game is third-down efficiency—a phase where they’ve alternated between elite and abysmal. The Broncos rank 18th in third-down conversion rate (38%), with wild swings from week to week: they converted 7 of 12 third downs (58%) against the Houston Texans in Week 3 but just 2 of 11 (18%) against the Cleveland Browns in Week 8. The inconsistency stems from a failure to set up manageable third downs on first and second down. Too often, the Broncos find themselves in third-and-7 or longer—situations where Wilson is forced to throw into tight coverage—because first-down runs gain 2 yards instead of 4, or second-down passes fall incomplete. Against the Browns, three of their third downs were third-and-10 or more; Wilson completed just one of those passes, leading to six punts. “Third-down success starts with first and second down,” said running backs coach Curtis Modkins. “If we can get 3-4 yards on first down, we put ourselves in third-and-short, where we can use Javonte or a play-action pass to convert. Right now, we’re putting ourselves in too many long-yardage holes.” A complete game would require the offense to string together first downs consistently, keeping the chains moving and the defense on its heels. Complete Game Yet to Play by the Denver Broncos Offense thus highlights third-down struggles as a critical barrier to cohesion.

The Denver Broncos’ offense has also struggled with red-zone inconsistency—a phase where elite teams separate themselves, but the Broncos have vacillated between efficient and wasteful. They rank 17th in red-zone touchdown rate (54%), with games where they scored touchdowns on 3 of 4 red-zone trips (Week 4 vs. Kansas City) and games where they scored just 1 touchdown on 4 trips (Week 8 vs. Cleveland). The issue isn’t talent—Williams is a physical red-zone runner, and Courtland Sutton is a 6’4” target who excels at contested catches—but rather playcalling and execution. Too often, the Broncos rely on predictable run plays from the 10-yard line, which defenses easily stuff, or force Wilson to throw into double coverage. Against the Browns, their final red-zone trip ended with a Wilson interception in the end zone—he tried to force a pass to Sutton, who was guarded by two defenders. “The red zone is where you have to be precise,” Payton said after the game. “You can’t be predictable, and you can’t make mistakes. Right now, we’re doing both.” The Denver Broncos have the tools to be a top-10 red-zone offense—Williams has 8 rushing touchdowns, and the offensive line can push the pile—but they need to mix in more creative plays (e.g., bootlegs for Wilson, screen passes to Williams) to keep defenses off balance. A complete game would see the Broncos converting 70% or more of their red-zone trips into touchdowns, turning field goals into game-changing points. Complete Game Yet to Play by the Denver Broncos Offense thus underscores red-zone efficiency as a key missing piece.

The Denver Broncos’ offense has also failed to maintain momentum through adversity—a trait of complete games, where teams respond to turnovers or defensive stops with scoring drives. This season, when the Broncos’ offense turns the ball over or goes three-and-out, it often leads to a stretch of inactivity: they average just 1.2 points on drives following a turnover, compared to the league average of 2.8 points. Against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2, Wilson threw an interception in the third quarter (with the game tied 10-10), and the offense didn’t score again—ultimately losing 17-10. In contrast, elite offenses like the Baltimore Ravens often use adversity as a spark, scoring touchdowns on 30% of drives following turnovers. “Momentum is a choice,” Wilson said after the Chargers loss. “We need to be the team that responds to a bad play with a great one, not let one mistake turn into three.” The Denver Broncos’ struggle to bounce back stems from a combination of mental lapses and conservative playcalling—Payton often dials up safe, run-heavy scripts after turnovers, which can kill momentum instead of rebuilding it. A complete game would require the offense to stay aggressive through mistakes, trusting their talent to turn things around. The Denver Broncos have the playmakers to do this—Williams can break a long run, Sutton can win a deep route—but they need the confidence to keep attacking when things go wrong. Complete Game Yet to Play by the Denver Broncos Offense thus shows that mental resilience is as important as physical talent for a complete game.

Looking ahead, the Denver Broncos’ offense has a clear path to finally playing a complete game—one that starts with small, intentional adjustments rather than overhauls. Payton can fix the run-pass balance by scripting more mixed-series drives (e.g., run, pass, run) instead of leaning too hard on one phase. The offensive line can improve first-down efficiency by focusing on better block cohesion—ensuring guards and tackles aren’t missing assignments that turn 4-yard gains into 2-yard gains. Wilson can reduce third-down struggles by taking more checkdowns to Williams or tight ends, turning long-yardage plays into shorter ones. And the red-zone offense can benefit from more pre-snap motion to confuse defenses, creating mismatches for Sutton or Williams. The Broncos’ upcoming schedule—games against the Arizona Cardinals (25th in total defense) and Houston Texans (22nd in total defense)—provides the perfect opportunity to test these adjustments. A complete game against either team would not only boost the offense’s confidence but also send a message to the AFC that the Broncos are more than just a defensive team. “We’re close,” Payton said in a recent press conference. “A complete game isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being consistent. Once we find that consistency, this offense can be special.” For the Denver Broncos, a complete offensive game isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity if they want to dethrone the Chiefs and make a deep playoff run. Complete Game Yet to Play by the Denver Broncos Offense thus concludes by emphasizing that the pieces are all there; it’s just a matter of putting them together for 60 minutes.