The Denver Broncos must remain healthy to compete for a playoff spot.
The team has to learn from last season’s significant losses and prioritize health this offseason. Beginning with the season-ending injury to Von Miller, the Broncos were never at full strength in 2020, resulting in another lost season.
Remaining healthy through the offseason, and into the season, must be a priority for head coach Vic Fangio and strength and condition coach Lauren Landow.
The margin for error in the NFL is razor-thin when you are at full strength. So, when you are down significant pieces, the chances of winning week-in-week-out decrease dramatically.
COVID-19’s impact on Broncos 2020 season
According to Football Outsiders (FO), the Broncos’ season was marred by injuries and COVID-19. Resulting in a losing season.
Football Outsiders pulled injury data from each NFL team on a weekly basis. COVID-19 dramatically impacted the 2020 season.
The season moved on smoothly considering the obstacles. That said, the Broncos did face challenges most teams did not.
The Broncos were the 3rd-most impacted team in the NFL in terms of games negatively impacted by COVID-19, per FO. Data suggest that from COVID-19 alone, the Broncos suffered 20.0 adjusted games lost.
That number is staggering.
The team was hit hard by COVID-19, begging with Ja’Wuan James and Kyle Peko opting out of the debacle of Week 12.
The Broncos addressed this concern by offering COVID-19 vaccinations for their players. This effort will not only help players stay healthy but reduce contract tracing needs, resulting in fewer games missed. It is safe to say, with more games played by key players such as Shelby Harris, Brandon McManus, and Drew Lock (missed games due to COVID-19 protocols), the team will fare better all season long.
The team must duck injuries to star players
Not many teams can overcome the loss of a star player. No team can withstand losing two. The Broncos lost both Miller and Courtland Sutton by the middle of Week 2.
Additionally, the Broncos experienced over 83 games lost due to injury in 2020. That ranks for 8th-most in the NFL per FO.
The on-field play was devastated and games were not just lost.
For instance, when measuring DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average), it is clear to see how the 2020 season was a lost one.
The team’s lack of on-field effectiveness was visible in the team’s DVOA.
“The main statistic used on Football Outsiders, DVOA breaks down the entire season play-by-play, comparing success on each play to the league average based on a number of variables including down, distance, location on (the) field, current score gap, quarter, and opponent quality” (footballoutsiders.com).
Comparing the 2019 and 2020 seasons, the Broncos experienced a decrease in over 22% DVOA.
Landow must help make some adjustments in how the players prepare. One variable changing is players attending optional team activities and mandatory mini-camps. The result could be that a “run-up” helps players stay in “football shape” which was not possible the last offseason.
General manager George Paton also focused on depth to help withstand injuries during the season. Last season, the team finished the year with players signed off of other teams’ practice squad.
This season, the secondary alone is deep at cornerback and safety after key moves. Moves like those will help the team compete for a playoff spot, unlike in years past.
The return of key contributors and reduced missed games from impactful players is critical for this team as they take aim at the likes of Kansas City and Buffalo.
It is crucial the team remains intact and on the field.