SEATTLE — The Broncos need to get more out of their running backs.
The blame is usually put on the run game overall. Blocking, running, play calling. But the Broncos’ top running backs, Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin, didn’t get it done in the season opener here Sunday in a 26-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
“We’ve got to evaluate the run plan and why it wasn’t as effective as we’d like,’’ said head coach Sean Payton. “It’s going to be hard to play quarterback period if that’s the best we can do running the ball.”
Take away scrambles by quarterback Bo Nix and the Broncos rushed for just 64 yards on 20 carries. Williams had 23 yards rushing off 8 carries for 2.9 yards per carry. His slip and loss on second-and-1 from Seattle 11 was a big play in the game.
“I was talking to one of the players on the Seahawks after the game and they said they got new turf, and it was slippery,'' Williams said. "You still have to keep your feet; you still have to make plays.”
McLaughlin gained just 27 yards on 10 carries.
Those two running backs didn’t break free as receivers, either. McLaughlin had five catches for 1 yard. Williams had a catch for 0.
That’s 24 touches for 51 anemic yards.
“I didn’t feel like we ran the ball well enough, not nearly consistently enough, and then there’s more stress obviously that falls on the quarterback,’’ Payton said.
Rookie Audric Estime popped a nice run – but then he fumbled the ball backwards after trying to hurdle a defender. That was about it for the Broncos’ running backs. Getting Estime more action next week against Pittsburgh may be one adjustment Payton will consider.
“We struggled a little bit in the run game,’’ said receiver Josh Reynolds. “I mean the run game pops everything off. We just got to execute, man. They played a little bit harder than us today and it took us a little bit long for us to finally come back and get things going.”
Bronco Bits
Left tackle Garett Bolles left the game in the second half with an ankle injury. Veteran Matt Peart replaced him. “I think he’s going to be fine,’’ Payton said. “He did an MRI, I think the evaluation was fine. I think he’s got a bruise.” …
Seventh-round rookie receiver Devaughn Vele had eight catches in his NFL debut, albeit for 39 yards. …
The concern at the inside linebacker position next to Alex Singleton is real. Kristian Welch, who primarily played special teams during his first four NFL seasons, played plenty in place of Cody Barton in the second half. Welch and Barton each had two tackles. …
Cornerback Riley Moss led the Broncos with 12 tackles. …
The other cornerback, Pat Surtain, held Seattle’s best receiver, D.K. Metcalf, to three catches for 29 yards.
>>Video below: Bo Nix reacts to Broncos' loss to Seahawks in NFL debut
