I may be a delusional fan, but that does not mean that it is impossible for the Orange Crush to start winning some games, or at least continue trending in the right direction.
The Denver Broncos managed their first home win this season last weekend on the back of four Wil Lutz field goals against the 2-4 Green Bay Packers. This win was a welcome sight from the Broncos faithful as it seems to have restored hope to many within the fan base. However, this was a game we should have won against a similarly talented team at home. Nevertheless, it still felt good. So now let's look at the good and the bad, and what it means for the final 11 weeks.
The GOOD:
The Secondary:
Saying the Broncos have had the worst defense in the league through the first 5 weeks was an understatement. Denver boasted statistically one of the worst defenses in the Super Bowl era. However, this Broncos secondary has answered the
plea for help in consecutive weeks now. Last week against the defending champions they held Mahomes and that chiefs offense to one TD as well as picking him off one time and having another called back on a debatable Defensive Pass Interference. Then this unit followed that up by forcing the packers offense into fewer than 200 passing yards and securing a game-clinching INT. Last year the only reason that this football team won any games was because of this secondary. Between Pat Surtain, Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson, there are three bona fide studs in the defensive backfield. If this team wants to be competitive, they are going to need these guys to continue stepping up.
2. The Running Game:
Javonte Williams is finally beginning to look like himself again. He was bursting through holes and running through would be tacklers seemingly every run last week. He rumbled his way for 82 yards on only 15 carries. Meanwhile Jaleel McLaughlin continued to look extremely explosive as he averaged 9 a carry, bringing his season average up to a whopping 7 per carry. Also Russ threw in a 21 yard rush as well. Overall, this offense is starting to do what Sean Payton envisioned. The reason they signed two of the top 5 rated run blocking offensive lineman in free agency was to run the football with authority. Now Broncos fans can finally see this coming to fruition. In order to succeed offensively, they need the run game. The passing attack is predicated on the play action pass, meaning that the run must be established.
The Bad:
Penalties:
So far perhaps Denver's biggest thorn in the side in 2023 has been the official's yellow flag. Denver now leads the NFL in touchdowns called back at 5. One on offensive pass interference, one on an illegal shift, and three on holding calls. Not to mention they are second in the NFL in defensive penalties with 24. Overall, the lack of discipline is concerning and Sean Payton is done with it. He has spoken to it continuously in his
postgame and practice pressers. Many fans enjoy blaming the referees for bad calls, myself included, however, the calls that are objective should not happen. Delay of game, false start, illegal shift, and offsides. All of these need to disappear entirely. And this includes losing timeouts to near delay of games or personnel issues.
Takeaways:
Overall this Denver Broncos team has talent everywhere you look. Multiple young pass rushers on pace for more than 10 sacks. Multiple thousand yard receivers. Multiple thousand yard backs. Two all-pros in the secondary and an NFL tackle leader in the linebacking room. But the most important pieces are the Hall of Fame and super bowl winning Quarterback and Head Coach. For this team to get to where they want, they need Sean Payton to get the most out of Russel Wilson. Both of these men have
shown their ability to win consistently at the highest level, and yet the team stands at 2-5. Many want to attribute this to Sean Payton's success in New Orleans coming from Drew Brees, or Russel Wilson's in Seattle coming from the legion of boom. But regardless of the validity of these claims, the 2023 Denver Broncos sit at 2-5 and many want to see this team tank for Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. I would rather see this team fight week in and week out. If this team can find a way to be in every game it plays, then who knows what can happen. Maybe the Broncos sneak their way into the playoffs, but even if they don't, but they show consistent competition and heart, that would be the best thing broncos country has seen since 2015. Broncos Country, Let's Ride.
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