Blowout of Falcons offers more evidence Broncos offensive line has become formidable

Quinn Meinerz was the perfect bodyguard to pave Troy Franklin’s path to the goal line.

In the third quarter against the Falcons, the Broncos faced a second-and-goal from Atlanta’s 7-yard line when quarterback Bo Nix quickly threw a screen pass to Denver’s rookie wide receiver — and Meinerz turned into a bully.

The big belly right guard held off inside linebacker Kaden Elliss with his left arm, and when he spotted safety Jessie Bates III attempting to close in, he dropped Bates to the ground to help Franklin score the second touchdown of his young NFL career.

While Nix’s four-touchdown performance dominated the discussion after Denver’s 38-6 win over Atlanta last Sunday, the offensive masterclass also offered more evidence that Denver’s offensive line has transformed into a formidable front.

“The offensive line is playing at a really high level,” Nix said. “… It is not like we are letting guys through and getting beat.”

The numbers tell the story.

The Broncos are tied for fifth in sacks allowed (18) and have the fourth-lowest pressure rate in the league at 27.8%. Denver has given up an average time to pressure of 2.89 seconds, tied for third in the league, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats.

Franklin’s touchdown and Marvin Mims Jr.’s score off another screen pass in the first half provided further proof that the five-man unit has turned a corner. Entering Sunday, Denver had a 36.8% success rate on screens, according to Next Gen Stats.

“I won’t say we were giddy, but finally,” a relieved coach Sean Payton said of the screen-play touchdowns.

Both scores were a product of Denver’s offensive line being able to block in space. In the second quarter, Meinerz and right tackle Mike McGlinchey ran down the field, each blocking a defender to open the door for Mims to score on a 12-yard reception.

“I don’t like to be in space a lot,” Meinerz said. “I am a guard so I like being in a little box, but we detail those plays really well. That’s a credit to our (offensive line) coach Zach Strief, helping coach our landmarks, aiming points and strategies regarding those plays.”

The Broncos gave up a sack and five pressures in pass protection, amounting to just another day at the office for the offensive line. It was the sixth game where Denver had allowed less than 10 pressures. In those games, Nix has thrown for 1,237 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions.

Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles has played at a high level. He has allowed a sack and 21 pressures on 396 pass-blocking snaps, according to Next Gen Stats. His pressure rate (5.3%) is tied for fifth-best among offensive tackles with a minimum of 250 pass-blocking snaps.

Denver’s 9-play, 70-yard scoring drive, which resulted in Nix throwing a touchdown pass to tight end Nate Adkins to take a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, featured Bolles overpowering defenders.

“What makes (Nix) so special is when he has time to throw the ball, he gets the ball to our playmakers,” Bolles said.

Denver’s success up front is even more impressive when accounting for the time McGlinchey, center Luke Wattenberg and backup offensive tackle Alex Palczewski have missed due to injuries. McGlinchey (MCL sprain) was placed on injured reserve after Week 2’s loss to Pittsburgh. Wattenberg was also sidelined for four games after sustaining an ankle injury in Week 5 against Las Vegas.

While McGlinchey was absent in Weeks 3-6, the offensive line didn’t falter. Denver allowed a pressure rate of 28.3% and five sacks — the second-lowest in the league during that span.

McGlinchey returned to the field in Week 7 and has only built on the line’s strong play. He has given up two sacks, 11 pressures and a pressure rate of 5.9% since being inserted back into the starting lineup.

“Whenever the quarterback isn’t getting hit, and we’re running the ball really well, they’re kind of like the second-to-last group to get acknowledged,” wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. “But they love being in the trenches, doing the dirty work.

“They understand that they are not going to get all the recognition, but they are going out there week in and week out and giving it their best.”

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