Denver Broncos Week 12 Preview

Introduction

The Denver Broncos managed to squeak out a nail-biter victory against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11, winning 21-20 in a game that had fans on the edge of their seats. While the scoreboard showed a narrow margin, the underlying statistics reveal a lot about the Broncos' performance and areas where they still need improvement. As we head into Week 12, we’ll take a closer look at how the Broncos' stats have evolved and what they might mean for their upcoming matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

Power Ranking

After their Week 11 victory, the Broncos find themselves ranked 23rd in the power rankings, with a win rate of 46.0% against a median opponent. This ranking is a reflection of the team's struggles earlier in the season, but it also highlights that they are capable of competing in tight games. However, being in the bottom half of the league is a stark reminder that consistency is key, and the Broncos will need to string together more wins to climb the rankings and regain the respect of the league.

Overall Drive Efficiency

The Broncos' overall drive efficiency sits at a disappointing 28th in the league, which is a slight improvement from last week. While they managed to score points against the Vikings, their ability to sustain drives remains a concern. With only 295 yards gained against Minnesota's 385, it's clear that the Broncos need to find ways to be more effective in moving the ball down the field. This inefficiency can lead to more pressure on the defense and ultimately impacts the team's chances of winning.

Defensive Drive Efficiency

The Broncos' defensive drive efficiency is currently the worst in the league, ranked 32nd. This stat is alarming, especially considering the defense is supposed to be the backbone of the team. Allowing opponents to drive down the field with ease puts immense pressure on the offense to keep pace. If the Broncos want to have any hope of success against the Browns, they will need to tighten up their defensive schemes and find a way to disrupt opposing offenses more effectively.

Offensive Drive Efficiency

On a brighter note, the Broncos' offensive drive efficiency ranks 10th in the league, which is a significant improvement. This indicates that when the offense does get rolling, they can be quite effective at moving the ball and scoring points. The challenge remains in maintaining that efficiency over the course of the game. The key will be to build on this momentum and find ways to sustain drives against a tough Cleveland defense in Week 12.

Defensive Turnover Efficiency

The Broncos are currently ranked 20th in defensive turnover efficiency, which means they have had some success in generating turnovers but still have room for improvement. Against the Vikings, they were fortunate to face a team that turned the ball over three times. For the Broncos to be competitive against the Browns, they will need to capitalize on any mistakes made by Cleveland and create opportunities for their offense to score.

Offensive Turnover Efficiency

The Broncos rank 18th in offensive turnover efficiency, which is a slight improvement from previous weeks. The fact that they had zero turnovers against the Vikings is a positive sign, but they will need to replicate that performance consistently. Reducing turnovers is crucial, especially against a formidable opponent like the Browns, who can turn any mistake into points.

Drive Time

With a drive time ranking of 15th, the Broncos find themselves in the middle of the pack. This means they are taking a reasonable amount of time to move the ball, but it also suggests that they may not be maximizing their scoring opportunities. A quicker drive time can be beneficial in putting pressure on opposing defenses, but the Broncos need to find the right balance between speed and efficiency. As they prepare for the Browns, they should aim to strike fast and capitalize on every possession.

Preview For Next Week

The Broncos will face off against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12, who are currently favored to win with a 71.75% chance according to advancedfootballstats.com simulations. The Browns have a strong defense, ranking in the top half of the league in both drive and turnover efficiency. This means the Broncos will need to step up their game on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they must maintain their drive efficiency while minimizing turnovers. Defensively, they need to find a way to disrupt the Browns' offensive rhythm and create turnovers of their own. The over/under for this matchup is set at 37.5 points, suggesting that it could be a low-scoring affair. Regardless, the Broncos will need to bring their A-game if they hope to pull off an upset.

Conclusion

As we look ahead to Week 12, the Denver Broncos have shown flashes of potential but still have significant hurdles to overcome. With a mix of solid offensive efficiency and dismal defensive performance, the team must find a way to balance these aspects to secure a victory against the Browns. It’s a tall order, but if the Broncos can harness their strengths and address their weaknesses, they might just surprise us all.

Stay tuned to advancedfootballstats.com for more data-driven insights and analysis as we continue to follow the Denver Broncos' journey throughout the 2023 NFL season.