I’d love it if the short-yardage issues were “Denbrock playing Madden and finding the cheese plays because he knows they’re gonna win” but it really just seems like he gets himself out of rhythm by overthinking it.
The offense is at its best between the 20’s when the defense has the whole field to defend, and has to show its intentions as to whether it’s gonna crowd the line to stop Love, or back up and give a favorable box for running. This is when Carr is hitting chunks or JD is getting chunks, because Carr is already recognizing the right “pick your poison” checks at the line.
I think Denbrock gets too cute trying to deal with short yardage and constricted field situations to answer the defense not having as much real estate to cover.
Stop it. Use four downs to get downhill, or go 5-wide and let CJ spin it wherever he likes his matchup. I actually don’t even mind the Wildcat, because at least it’s a red zone identity of some sort.
But a max-protect, one-route, play-action pass on 4th, with no emergency outlet option? Take that shit out of the playbook if the game isn’t already decided.