Ground game strong for Broncos in 21-20 win over Panthers

You might not know it from the first few plays on offense Thursday night (five-straight passes), but the Denver Broncos run game shined in its 21-20 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Running back C.J. Anderson and rookie fullback Andy Janovich combined for all of Denver’s three touchdowns ­­–– two on the ground and on through the air out of the backfield.

Janovich’s score, a 28-yard scamper on his first career carry, tied up the game 7-7 early in the second quarter.

After the game, Anderson called Janovich’s run huge, especially for a guy who’s usually clearing the way for others in the backfield.

“He just tossed the ball to the ref, but I was like, ‘That’s your first touchdown,’” Anderson said. “I had to run out there and get the ball and give it back to him. I was excited for him.”

Janovich said of the run after the game: “It felt pretty good, but I was positive that I was going to get caught from behind. I’m not the fastest guy out there.”

Head coach Gary Kubiak praised the offensive line’s effort against a stout Carolina front seven in his postgame press conference, saying running the ball ended up being a key factor in the game.

“… The fact that we were able to run the ball, I’m looking here for 150 yards when it’s all said and done, kept us in the ball game,” Kubiak said.

Broncos aim build confidence in Siemian

Right out of the gates Thursday night, Kubiak and the Broncos, with an offense expected to run the ball much more heavily than the recent past in Denver, called five pass plays in a row to start the game.

After the game, Kubiak said the streak of airing it out was to send a message to second-year pro Trevor Siemian that he trusted him.

“I was trying to get him in a rhythm, get some touches for D.T. (Demaryius Thomas) and Emmanuel (Sanders). I let the kid know I have confidence in him,” Kubiak said.

“I think if you would have picked up the game plan in the first 15 and saw six runs to start the game, I don’t know what message I’m sending him. I want him to know I believe in him.”

Overall, Kubiak said Siemian played well and with “a lot of poise,” especially being down 10 points early to a championship caliber football team.

“He moves. He makes plays with his feet. He’s going to watch film and he’s going to get so much better,” Kubiak said. “We made so many mistakes as a team, but I thought Trevor handled his end of the bargain well.”

Siemain ended up tossing the ball 26 times with 18 completions for 178 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.