For the third consecutive week, the Denver Broncos have not scored a second-half point and for the second time in as many weeks it has effectively cost them the game.
Last week against Oakland, the Denver defense allowed 13 second-half points after Denver led 12-0 at halftime and had held the Raiders to -12 yards. A Broncos safety capped the offensive woes in the final two frames of a 15-12 Broncos loss.
Denver appeared to have resolved their scoring issues in the first half against Pittsburgh this week, scoring touchdowns on four consecutive drives to end the first half (not including a one-play kneeldown).
In fact, the ‘O’ got going and was compared to an historically good offense…
The @Broncos' 27 first-half points are their most since Dec. 29, 2013 vs. Oakland (31 points).
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) December 20, 2015
But it proved to be a mirage and the second-half scoring desiccation, coupled with 21 points from the Steelers, again spelled doom for the Broncos.
Postgame, the Broncos had very few answers for what is happening that’s keeping them from putting up points after the rest period. They mostly offered up the cliched “We’ll need to look at the tape,” answers in the postgame press conferences.
.@bosweiler17: "Until I see the tape I won't know what happened in the second half. Obviously needs to be better." pic.twitter.com/SzMVS8tq9j
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 21, 2015
But the Denver Media has no shortage of explanations for what’s plaguing the offense and putting the defense on their heels.
During and after the game, many of the prominent voices across Denver (and beyond) were quite vocal about the lack of halftime adjustments being made by Gary Kubiak and Rick Dennison.
Even before the Broncos generated just six yards on their first possession of the half and were forced to punt, the fear of a relapse of previous weeks was apparent.
Several pundits were saying the Broncos couldn’t afford to have a repeat of the Oakland (and San Diego) second halves…
This is a big 2nd half for #Broncos coaches…
Last week vs. #Raiders, the adjustments were weak….. Let's see what they do today.
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) December 20, 2015
#Broncos offense had 4 3&outs out of halftime last week. Could use a drive here.
— Mark Haas (@markhaastv) December 20, 2015
Broncos can't fall into same trap they did last week vs. Oakland, throwing it 27 times in 2nd half and running only 5 times.
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) December 20, 2015
It's early but will this be the tale of two halves like last week for the #Broncos? #Steelers D clearly has made some halftime adjustments.
— Chad Brown (@chadbrown94) December 20, 2015
And as the half wore on, it was becoming abundantly clear that once again, Denver lost the halftime adjustment battle…
#Steelers have flat out won the battle of adjustments here in the 2nd half.
— JGoRadio 🇺🇦 (@JGoRadio) December 21, 2015
Entire #Steeler O,Ben, receivers &line are starting to play w/ more confidence. Halftime adjustments at work,getting the match ups they want
— Chad Brown (@chadbrown94) December 21, 2015
Second half points the last three games = 0. But that doesn't matter, right? Nothing to see here! #Broncos
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) December 21, 2015
https://twitter.com/PetersenWill/status/678729119010447360
Once again, the Broncos no adjustments at the half because everything was working. Pitt adjusted on both sides of the ball. . #LastWeek
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) December 21, 2015
https://twitter.com/JoshPennock/status/678735074439761920
The difference between the first and second half offense simply defied logic…
Not a single 3rd down conversion in this second half. 8-for-8 in the first. How is that possible?
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) December 21, 2015
The Broncos did NOT go conservative in the second. They threw it 26 times. They just went BAD. Too many 3-and-outs.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) December 21, 2015
Brock Osweiler postgame said things didn’t feel different in the second half…
"Nothing felt different, we just couldn't get into a rythmn" Brock Osweiler on the #Broncos 2nd half woes pic.twitter.com/7tuWm17HVw
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) December 21, 2015
And that, very likely, will be the criticism that the entire offensive unit, including the coaches, face throughout the week as they prepare for a Monday night home game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Denver will again have a playoff bid on the line, and could clinch the AFC West with a win and Kansas City loss.
