Denver Broncos

The Broncos know teams are trying to hit Peyton Manning

Published Sep. 22, 2015 11:58 p.m. ET

foxsports

Peyton Manning has endured some abuse behind a suspect Broncos line so far.

He should expect more of the same until his team proves it can run and block with consistency.

“Biggest things offensively, to me, is protecting the quarterback and finding a way to make big plays in this league," Kubiak told ESPN's Jeff Legwold. “The thing that enables you to do those two things is running the football, and we’re not running the football."

The Broncos have 19 runs of no gain or negative yardage. That puts Manning in unfavorable down and distance scenarios.

Then, more defenders can be used to chase after him. Manning has dealt with extra pass rushers on 43 percent of his snaps this season. He's 15-for-33 with two pick-sixes against the blitz.

That used to be a surefire way to get burnt by Manning. Now, it's a tool to slow the aging passer.

Said Kubiak: “We’ve got seven sacks right now in two weeks, we can’t ask him (Manning) to hold up that way throughout the whole season."

(h/t ESPN)