What Changes Could We See from the Denver Broncos Coming off the Bye?

The Denver Broncos are back in action after having a bye in Week 7. They come home to play a huge game against the undefeated Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football in Week 8.

Head coach Gary Kubiak feels good after the break, but he had a message for his team Monday: “We have a long week ahead of us. That was my message this morning. We have to stay grounded. We have a lot of work to do to prepare for them.”

Kubiak continued: “Today was just about getting back to work. We had good energy today, we competed against each other today and we're going to move on to Green Bay on Wednesday. We know what we're facing. I don't have any doubt that we'll be ready to play emotionally with the type of game that we're in, but we need to make sure that we keep doing the work to play, too. That's the most important thing.”

The Broncos defense is arguably the best in the league, and there’s little they need to do other than stay healthy and clean up some needless penalties. The Broncos offense has not been consistent or effective this year, though, and there are plenty of problems to fix on that side of the ball.

What changes could we see from the Broncos coming off the bye? Let’s take a look.

Even More Shotgun Formation

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The team needs to do everything possible to make Peyton Manning comfortable in the pocket. Working from under center has not looked good this season. Having him roll out and throw on the run has not been pretty either.

The Broncos should lean toward using more of the shotgun formation to get—and keep—Manning in a rhythm. With the rushing attack struggling to move the ball at times, the Broncos could use the short passing game to help move the chains.

Kubiak liked what he saw from Manning the first day back from the break.

“He threw the ball well," the coach said. "He looked fresh. He moved around well. It was a good break for everybody, but we have a tough 10 weeks ahead and none bigger than this one. We know that.”

The Packers present the strongest challenge the Broncos will face this year. The offense needs to keep drives alive, not only to score points but also keep the defense fresh in Week 8.

Ronnie Hillman as the Starting RB

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With two 100-yard games so far this season, it’s clear that Ronnie Hillman is the team’s most effective running back. To this point, C.J. Anderson has been the team’s starting running back, but he’s been banged up and largely ineffective this season. After his second 100-yard game of the season in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, Hillman may have overtaken Anderson as the lead back.

Kubiak appreciates the effort Hillman is running with this season.

“Ronnie just keeps plugging," Kubiak said. "He's got some speed, when we're right and things are right, to get the ball to the edge and do some good things. I think it was a little bit of a commitment and a lot better play up front.”

Hillman’s speed makes him a threat to score any time he touches the ball. The Broncos offensive line is not opening the biggest holes this year, but all Hillman needs is a small crease to make a big play. The team should still use some form of running back by committee, but Hillman could see more snaps and touches than Anderson going forward.

More Targets for the Tight Ends

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The Kubiak system is known as being tight end-friendly, but it’s been anything but so far this season. Starter Owen Daniels has run 190 routes, but he only has 14 catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns after six games. Backup Virgil Green is an underrated receiver, but the team is using him mostly as a blocker, and he’s only run 39 routes so far in 2015.

The Broncos have a third tight end, and Kubiak talked about using Richard Gordon more going forward.

“I'm hoping that getting [TE] Richard [Gordon] back and having some time with him from the standpoint of what we're doing tight end-wise, that we can grow a little bit. I guess, what I should say, is get them more involved.”

Kubiak continued, “We've been more of a three wide [receivers], four-wide football team here for about a month. If Richard can handle his business and the group can calm down a little bit, hopefully we can get a little bit more.”

Don’t expect Gordon to be much of a factor as a receiver. However, he’s a big-bodied player who can be counted on as an effective blocker. Using more of Gordon could free up Green to do more as a receiver.

With Daniels showing his age, the time to move forward with Green as a receiving threat is now. Good things can happen when he gets his hands on the ball. Coming out of the bye, we could see the Broncos try to emphasize him more as a receiver.

Ty Sambrailo Back at Left Tackle

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The Broncos offensive line has been a work in progress all season long. The team has used several during the regular season, and the shuffling began when rookie left tackle Ty Sambrailo went down with a shoulder injury in Week 3.

After missing three games, he received an extra week of recovery with the bye in Week 7. Chances are good that the rookie will be back in the starting lineup this week against the Packers.

Kubiak was non-committal about Sambrailo’s availability for Week 8.

“I think if Ty is ready to go, he is our starter," the head coach said. "I think he's earned that right to do that. Now whether he would be ready to go back and play a bunch of plays, that's something we'll have to determine as we look throughout the course of the week. [It is a] big week of practice for him.”

If Sambrailo starts at left tackle, he’ll face a huge test against a Packers defense that ranks second in the league in sacks (behind only the Broncos). The rookie’s play will be imperative to giving Manning enough protection in this battle of undefeated teams. With Sambrailo at left tackle, the Broncos will have to determine whether Ryan Harris, Tyler Polumbus or Michael Schofield will start at right tackle.

DeMarcus Ware Returns

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The Broncos defense is arguably the best in the league, and the unit will get a boost when linebacker DeMarcus Ware returns to the field—likely this week for the game against the Packers. His 4.5 sacks lead the team that paces the NFL in sacks so far this season (26). Ware is the top sack-master for the Broncos even though he missed the Week 6 game against the Browns with a back injury.

Ware had a nice day of practice Monday, according to Kubiak: “He looked good. I watched him specifically in individual drills today. He looked like his old self moving around. I know the extra time this week will do him so good. It was good to have him back.”

With Ware back in action, second-year pro Shaquil Barrett will go back to being a part-time pass-rusher. Having constant and tremendous pressure on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will help the Broncos in their effort to win on Sunday. Ware as the starter will provide them with that, and Barrett should help keep Ware fresh in Week 8.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos media department unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats via ESPN's employees-only database.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.