August 23, 2026 • 3:01 PM EDT
Updated 28 days ago
The Broncos’ run game is already keeping fans—and coaches—on edge, and we’re still not at Week 1. Denver flashed potential in their preseason opener, then sputtered the very next game. If you’re looking to bet on the Broncos’ backfield this season, hang tight: the picture’s still murky, but the warning signs are getting harder to ignore.
Against the Falcons, everyone got hyped watching rookie Jonah Coleman average six yards per carry. That was good enough to score him a “most impressive performance” nod from Broncos Country. But the following week, the Broncos barely moved the ball on the ground against the Packers. That marked a sudden reversal—and left plenty of folks (including Head Coach Sean Payton) frustrated.
According to Yahoo Sports, Payton isn’t just brushing off the struggle as preseason randomness. Instead, he’s calling for accountability across the board. He knows these games might not count for the standings, but they matter for momentum—and, if you’re looking to spot trends for betting, for figuring out who’s got it and who doesn’t.
Here’s what I’m seeing: Denver’s ground game swings wildly from one week to the next. That tells me the offensive line and running back room are still a work in progress. There’s talent, sure, but the consistency just isn’t there. Add in the penalties and those frequent third-and-long situations, and you’re looking at a team struggling to sustain drives on the back of their run game. That’s a red flag for bettors hunting for early-season value.
Jonah Coleman burst onto the scene in the Falcons matchup, but disappeared along with the whole running attack against the Packers. If you were one of the people voting on the “most impressive performance” poll last week, you probably felt the whiplash. A single strong outing isn’t enough to boost a rookie straight into fantasy stardom, and it’s certainly not enough for Denver’s brass—or their fanbase—to feel comfortable.
Payton laid it out in plain English after the Packers loss. He pointed to problems in every phase: penalties, special teams, and especially the run game. He said, “Obviously that wasn’t good enough. There weren’t a lot of things… I said this after the game—just pick a topic. Pick penalties, we lose there, kickoff, kickoff return, we lose that battle; rushing numbers, we lose that. We can’t just say, ‘Hey, this is preseason [game] two.’ Each phase saw their share of what ended up being the final score. So tomorrow we’ve got to be able to come in, coaches the same way, and look closely at what we’re doing and get the corrections made. You can’t not pay attention to these games, these scrimmages, these important steps towards the start of the regular season.” Payton isn’t mincing words. He knows that a shaky run game can unravel an offense before the real games even begin.
So what does all this mean for you, the bettor? It’s simple: until the Broncos prove they can move the chains consistently on the ground—and eliminate mistakes—their rushing props are a stay-away. Right now, the offense is producing too many negative plays and forcing their QBs into obvious passing downs. That’s a tough sell for any ground-and-pound enthusiast or fantasy investor.
Key developments and why they matter
- Jonah Coleman averaged six yards per carry in the first preseason game. That hints at raw upside, but the momentum evaporated the following week.
- The Broncos failed to establish any kind of run game against the Packers. The coaching staff—and anyone watching—should be concerned about this lack of consistency.
- Sean Payton openly criticized the team’s effort, pointing to penalties and negative plays as major problems that must be fixed now, not later.
- The offense found itself in far too many third-and-long situations, a direct result of the ground game’s failings.
- Payton views preseason “scrimmages” as vital learning moments, not throwaway games. That should tell you these issues aren’t going unnoticed inside the building.
Key takeaways for bettors
- Early hype around Denver’s run game is cooling fast—wait for consistency before betting overs on rushing props.
- Penalties and poor execution are leading to too many unmanageable third downs. That kills both drive potential and any shot at steady rushing production.
- Jonah Coleman has upside, but needs a second big performance to be trusted in props or fantasy play.
- Sean Payton’s public frustration is a key red flag—when coaches call out the problems themselves, bettors should take note.
- Preseason trends aren’t gospel, but they matter. Pay close attention to who stays involved in the ground game as final cuts approach.
- Bettors should monitor practice reports and preseason depth chart moves before locking in any Broncos rush-related wagers.
- If the problems persist past preseason, Denver could be a fade in any ground-and-pound game script scenario.
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