Run, Forsett, run.
On first-and-10 at the Broncos' 27-yard line with 6:24 remaining in the third quarter Sunday, Justin Forsett went on a historic run.
For 5 yards.
Without that short burst at left tackle, the Broncos would have finished with the fewest rushing yards in a game in franchise history.
As it was, the Broncos would splurge for 20 rushing yards before Forsett was stopped for a two-yard loss on his final carry.
The Broncos ended up with 18 rushing yards, tied for the third-worst performance in 57 seasons.
On Oct. 22, 1972, in Oakland, the Broncos managed only 13 yards. They tried to run 24 times.
The Broncos surrendered after nine attempts with Forsett _ playing his first game for this team _ and Devontae Booker, who probably was starting his last game.
Booker had runs of 0, 1 and zilch before being benched.
Forsett also tied a Broncos record by fumbling his first rush. Booker tied an NFL record in the opening game when he fumbled his first rush as a rookie.
Whoopee!
The Broncos are on pace for their lowest season rushing total, which came in 1994 when Wade Phillips was the coach. More likely, they'll challenge 1992 when the Broncos played only nine games because of the players' strike.
Fifty-four feet is how pitiful the Broncos' running game has become.
Sure, Forsett had a 33-yard run called back, but if the Broncos were waiting for Godot, and figured Justin was Justintime, so much for the thought.
Booker looks rode hard and put away wet. Since C.J. Anderson was injured in the seventh game, the Broncos don't have a clue. Without C.J., the Broncos barely are averaging 2 yards-plus per run.
Gary Kubiak's offense is supposed to be run-centric.
The Broncos passed on 51 of 60 plays Sunday _ and scored 10 points.
Here come the Patriots, who allowed the Ravens to run for a miserable 42 yards Monday night.
How low can the Broncos go against New England? The Patriots are sixth in the NFL against the run; the Broncos are 29th. The Patriots are seventh in rushing; the Broncos are 27th.
Kubak said the Broncos must play "better." Way better. No way? And he called New England the best team in the league.
Talking about the Broncos improving their running game is like flogging a dead horse, truly. With such a mediocre _ to be kind _ offensive line and a lack of an exceptional running back, the Broncos' coaching staff must be creative in the final three games, or they won't win one.
The Broncos have to go back to Peyton basics _ the hurry-up, always two-minute, shotgun offense _ from the beginning to end. Nobody's biting on the play-action passes because they know that the Broncos can't run, and can't hide. So the Broncos have to wear down defenses, especially in the two home games.
The three-headed offensive braintrust _ Cerberus in Greek mythology _ of Kubiak, Rick Dennison and Greg Knapp should pay attention to my recommendations:
_Move Emmanuel Sanders to the slot. Obviously, he's the Broncos' No. 1 receiver with 1,000 yards already, and he doesn't want to be inside, but desperate times call for unusual moves. He can go across the middle and isn't afraid to catch the ball. Trevor Siemian must throw more often to the center of the field, not just outside. Keep Bennie Fowler (who let the game-winning touchdown go through his hands) on the sideline next to Jordan Norwood, and play the other Jordan, "Sunshine" Taylor, at wideout on the other side from Demaryius Thomas.
_Let's see some of Kalif Raymond at the fourth wide receiver. He's shown ball-handling and run skill returning punts. Use Cody Latimer in five-receiver sets. Latimer, who has been in danger of being released because he still hasn't figured out the offense, caught a pass from a punter. Perhaps now he can catch one from a quarterback.
_Throw to Forsett out of the backfield. He had 44 receptions for the Ravens in 2014 when Kubiak was coordinator.
_Bring back Virgil Green from the witness protection program.
_And throw deep to Demaryius at least six to eight times per game.
_Don't run, Broncos. Pass goal, collect $200.
