The Denver Broncos opened the 2024 season with a 26-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1. Here are ten quick takeaways from the defeat.
1. The defense will be a strength in 2024: Yes, the unit lost some steam in the second half, but the Broncos’ defense had a strong showing overall. With two sacks, one interception and two safeties, Denver’s defense (and special teams units) gave the team a chance to win on Sunday.
2. The backfield rotation was nearly even: Jaleel McLaughlin got two more carries (10) than Javonte Williams (8). McLaughlin was also more involved in the passing game (5 targets) than Williams (1 target), but the game flow likely affected some of that utilization. When the Broncos aren’t trailing, it seems like a mostly 50-50 rotation. Audric Estime also mixed in, but he needs to hold onto the ball if he wants to get more opportunities.
3. Devaughn Vele could be a breakout player on offense: Vele was tied with the second-most targets (8) on the team. He ended the day with eight receptions for 39 yards. That’s not a hugely impressive stat line, but Vele’s targets suggest he will be a key player in Denver’s offense.
4. Cody Barton might lose his starting job: A little more than a week after signing with the Broncos, Kristian Welch was rotating in on defense next to Alex Singleton, taking snaps away from Barton. That can’t be a good sign for Barton’s chances of holding onto the starting job.
5. Pat Surtain remains the NFL’s best cornerback: PS2 covered DK Metcalf on 24 of the WR’s 25 routes, limiting him to three receptions for 29 yards. Surtain also shut down a two-point attempt thrown to Metcalf.
6. Penalities continue to hurt the Broncos: Denver was sloppy in preseason with silly penalties and coach Sean Payton said they needed to be cleaned up. No success thus far as the Broncos were penalized eight times for 60 yards on Sunday.
7. The offense squandered opportunities: Denver’s offense was set up with great field position right at the start of the game after a Singleton interception, but they were forced to settle for a field goal. The offense also settled for a field goal after the special teams unit set them up with great field position after a fumble recovery. Getting the ball back after a pair of safeties also led to zero points from the offense. If the Broncos are going to win games, the offense needs to be more opportunistic.
8. Jonathon Cooper was Denver’s best edge defender: Cooper finished the day with six tackles and two sacks. He looked better than Nik Bonitto and Baron Browning, who had a silly offside penalty to help the Seahawks pick up a first down and seal the game.
9. Run game and WRs did not do much to help Bo Nix: Look, the rookie wasn’t great (more on that in a moment), but he also didn’t get a lot of help. Williams averaged 2.9 yards per carry. McLaughlin averaged 2.7 yards per tote. Lil’Jordan Humphrey dropped a pass. All of the team’s receivers struggled to create separation on their routes. Better performances from everyone else on offense would have helped Nix.
10. Bo Nix struggled: Bottom line, Sunday’s poor performance was on Nix. Teammates could have helped him out overall, but the QB only had himself to blame for poor footwork, staring down receivers, throwing passes behind his targets and throwing into triple coverage. Nix’s decision-making has to improve and his passes need to be more accurate. The good news is that the rookie never quit and the scored late (on the ground) to help the Broncos get back in the game. Nix’s rookie growing pains were on full display on Sunday, but fans in Denver will hope for better days ahead.
Up next for the Broncos is a home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.
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