We are six weeks into the NFL season and the Denver Broncos have inexplicably already had four nationally televised, standalone games. Four opportunities in prime time to show the league the new and improved Broncos – with their star quarterback acquisition – are AFC heavyweight contenders.
In all four games the Broncos have looked rather vulnerable and that’s putting it politely.
Well, at least 50% of the Broncos haven’t looked quite like the playoff team many predicted. Denver’s defense has been outstanding thus far, holding opponents to a remarkable average of 16.5 points per game. In fact, the Broncos defense is the only unit keeping the team in games. Denver’s offense through six weeks has objectively been a disaster, and it’s the primary reason they sit at 2-4 and third in their division.
The Broncos latest debacle came on Monday Night Football versus the Los Angeles Chargers, a game they lost 19-16 in overtime. Quarterback Russell Wilson started the game at a blistering pace, completing a perfect 10-of-10 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown to give Denver a 10-0 lead early in the first quarter.
After that? Wilson finished the game 5-of-18 for 72 yards and took four sacks. In the second half and overtime, Wilson only completed three passes for 15 yards.
Fingers are being pointed everywhere in Denver these days. In fairness, plenty of blame should be leveled at the Broncos rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett and a weaker-than-advertised offensive line. But in the NFL, the buck stops at the quarterback when it comes to offensive woes… especially when the quarterback received a five-year extension worth over $242 million dollars.
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