Brooks: Balanced offense key in Broncos trek back to top of AFC West

In the Denver Broncos trek back up to the top of the AFC West, managing expectations regarding Case Keenum is important, said Bucky Brooks.

The NFL Network analyst told “Schlereth and Evans” on Friday that putting the entire offense on him won’t leave Keenum “in his best light.”

“But I think if you have a supporting cast, which the Broncos do have in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, and when you’re asking him to get the ball out quick, allow the playmakers to do work, I think he can (be the answer),” Brooks said.

But getting the ball in the hands of the “playmakers,” Brooks said, likely means the emergence of tight end Jake Butt, specifically as a threat across the middle.

“Jake Butt was a big-time prospect, he hurt his knee in the bowl game last year, it took him a while for him to come back, but now he’s back and in action,” Brooks said. “If he is able to come back and work the middle of the field, I think you’ll see Case Keenum target him a lot because that will then open up the rest of the field for their parameter players.”

And along with the prospects of an improved running game, with some complimentary play-action, Brooks said Denver will feature a more balanced attack, and thus a better counterpart to its top-end defense.

“I do believe the Broncos are well positioned to make a run to get back to where they normally sit in the AFC West,” Brooks said. “I think it should be an exciting time for the Denver Broncos because the offense should be able to complement the defense.

“And when they play together, they play complimentary football, the Denver Broncos are always a tough team to beat.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.