How the Broncos Shut Down Jonathan Stewart and the Panthers’ Run Game

1-10-DEN 34 (Q4, 12:43) 28-J.Stewart left tackle to DEN 22 for 12 yards (94-D.Ware; 54-B.Marshall).

This is a power run. The Panthers actually give Stewart three lead blockers, with Tolbert, Dickson, and Turner all blocking at the point of attack. They have so much help that even though turner slips and is useless, there’s a wide hole for the RB on the play. Stewart gets into the second level untouched and picks up 12.

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1-10-DEN 22 (Q4, 12:16) (No Huddle) 28-J.Stewart left guard to DEN 19 for 3 yards (92-S.Williams).

This sure looks a lot like the play the Panthers just ran. Their hope is to get the Broncos to overcompensate and win up the middle. While last time the intended gap was off tackle, this time it’s up the gut. The problem the play runs into is that Sylvester Williams out-muscles Kalil, and gets an arm on the back. Dickson also runs into his own man instead of blocking through the hole and clearing out Marshall, who helps with cleanup.

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2-7-DEN 19 (Q4, 11:31) 35-M.Tolbert right guard to DEN 16 for 3 yards (96-V.Walker, 59-D.Trevathan).

This play is a counter run. The Panthers’ blockers once again fail at the point of attack. Walker beats Remmers and Trevathan beats Dickson, who was the lead blocker. Tolbert was able to get three, but good blocking could have sprung him to the second level.

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1-10-CAR 28 (Q4, 9:00) 28-J.Stewart right tackle to CAR 29 for 1 yard (54-B.Marshall).

Sylvester Williams makes this play. The Panthers pull Kalil to lead block and leave guards Turner and Chris Scott (who was in for Norwell at this point) to double team Williams. Sly gets driven back a little, but he occupies their blocks. This is important because neither got to the second level to block Marshall, who chased the play down from the back side and made the stop for minimal gain.

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The Denver Broncos were about as successful as anyone in shutting down the Carolina Panthers’ run game. Their success forced the Panthers into numerous third-ad-long situations, where their pass rush and excellent secondary stifled Cam Newton. The Broncos were able to stop the Panthers’ run game because they consistently had multiple defenders beat their blocks. The Broncos’ LBs were active in pursuit of the run, and the Panthers had some miscues when blocking. The Panthers were able to have some successes, but they came few and far between with many bad runs mixed in. It’s often said that the game is won in the trenches, and the Broncos’ dominating defensive line spearheaded their Super Bowl 50 victory.