The Denver Broncos have a finishing problem.
The record reads 3-1, and we all know that’s what matters, but it could easily be 1-3.
Sunday at Whatever-It’s-Called-Field at Mile High, once again, came down to some heart-stopping moments in the final minutes. It shouldn’t have.
If the Broncos win the AFC West, a 16-10 win against the hated Raiders could be a big reason why, but it came with exactly zero style points.
Denver settled for three field goals (Brandon McManus missed a chip shot on a fourth attempt) and incomprehensibly had to be bailed out by a late Justin Simmons interception off Raiders’ backup quarterback EJ Manuel to hang on for dear life.
And it’s not like we haven’t seen this before.
Denver won a Super Bowl just 20 months ago with a similar formula: A mediocre offense consistently bailed out by a championship-level defense. But this is exhausting. Games that have no business being close are somehow, someway, close.
Think back to Week 1 against the Chargers, when a 24-7 lead inexplicably turned into a 24-21 lead, and Denver had to block a last-second field goal to win the game. It’s not good for the blood pressure of fans, yet it keeps happening again and again.
Realistically, Denver should have beaten the Raiders by 20-plus points on Sunday, but instead almost lost 17-16.
So, how can this get straightened out?
First and foremost, the Broncos have to fix their red zone issues. For the second straight week, they put just one offensive touchdown on the board and three field goals. That killer instinct to finish drives was there against Los Angeles and Dallas – it has completely disappeared the last two weeks.
Second, offensive playmakers (one guy in particular) must start earning their paychecks.
Paging Thomas, Demaryius. Your services are needed.
Did DT want to catch the football on Sunday, or just look for flags?
The Broncos “star” receiver had one grab for 11 yards; he’s making $12 million this season.
Thomas had a bad drop on a play that could’ve been a touchdown and also complained to the officials more times than he caught the ball. Pass interference happens, but DT seems to think it happens every time he’s targeted. Some greater focus on securing the ball and less on looking for laundry is a good idea.
Finally, Denver is abandoning the run at odd times – and not handing the ball to their best running back enough.
C.J. Anderson is a good football player, but Jamaal Charles is better. Denver needs to use him more.
Charles got his knee banged up on Sunday, but still had just five carries for 33 yards. Outside of a 40-yard scamper, Anderson gained just 55 yards on 19 carries, or 2.9 yards per touch.
It’s unrealistic to expect Charles to return to the All-Pro form we saw for so many years in Kansas City, but right now he’s Denver’s most explosive offensive player. Feed the man and let him eat.
The good news is that this is fixable.
The red zone offense was superb just 15 days ago.
DT has made plays in the past and will make them again.
Charles surely wouldn’t turn down a larger workload.
And the best part, despite the issues closing out games in a satisfying manner, is that the Broncos are indeed 3-1.
That record going into the bye was a popular prediction, and Denver has held up its end of the bargain, no matter how frustrating some of the games have felt while watching.
After the break, the Giants come to town in a game the Broncos should win, but then seven of the next 10 are on the road, including stops in Kansas City, Philadelphia and Oakland. Those are places where letting teams hang around will burn them; they’ll drop all three if the offense plays like it did Sunday.
With New England losing again on Sunday, and many not sold on the Chiefs being truly great, the AFC feels as wide open as ever. With this defense, Denver can absolutely represent the conference in Super Bowl LII in Minnesota. The offense will just need to do its part.
The Broncos have a finishing problem, but right now, it’s not a winning problem.
Let’s hope the wins keep coming, but with some style points too.