The Denver Broncos fell to 0-3 after Sunday’s showdown with the Miami Dolphins in South Beach. Sunday’s game showcased one of the most embarrassing performances in franchise and NFL history.

Denver Broncos blown out in Miami

In what many had hoped would be a South Beach Showdown, the showdown was more of a blowout as the Miami Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa manhandled Denver’s struggling defense. Despite Denver’s offense moving the ball against Miami’s defense at various points of the game, it wasn’t enough to overcome penalties, missed tackles, and lack of execution on defense.

Denver Broncos, defense embarrassed on Sunday

The Denver Broncos entered Sunday’s game without star safety Justin Simmons on the backend against Miami’s explosive offense. Miami and Tua Tagovailoa capitalized on his absence on their first offensive drive of the game, connecting with Tyreek Hill for a wide-open 54-yard score.

The story for this 0-3 Broncos team is solely rooted in how badly the defense has struggled to get stops. Mike McDaniel and Tagovailoa had their way with Denver’s defense through the air and on the ground.

They surrendered a franchise-high and near NFL-record 70 points in Sunday’s historic blowout loss.

At one point in the second quarter, the Dolphins offense had run 23 plays and had 12 first downs. Miami averaged 10.7 yards per gain on their first three offensive possessions as they gathered a 21-7 lead.

Midway through the 2nd quarter, Denver’s struggling defense came up big. Miami attempted to go for it on 4th and 1, but Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton shot the gap to wrap up Alec Ingold for a tackle for a loss that gave Denver the ball on Miami’s 34-yard line.

Unfortunately, Denver’s offense couldn’t capitalize on the field position. What’s even more astonishing is how efficient Tua was against Denver, whether they played man coverage or zone. At the 2:00 minute warning, Tagovailoa was 16-of-16 passing for 206 yards and two touchdowns.

The Dolphins amassed 344 total yards of offense in the first half alone, putting a stamp on the tone for the rest of the afternoon.

Denver’s defense finished the game, allowing an abysmal 726 yards, surrendering 10.2 yards per play, and failing to produce any takeaways for the second consecutive week.

This type of showcase warrants some changes to occur. Broncos fans deserve better.

Broncos bits vs. Miami Dolphins

  • The Broncos allowed a franchise-record 70 points in Sunday’s loss.
  • Rookie cornerback Riley Moss was active for the first time in his NFL career on Sunday.
  • The Broncos defense surrendering 35 points in the first half to the Dolphins is the most they’ve allowed since the Las Vegas Raiders put up 38 points on them back in 2010.
  • Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell suffered a groin injury in the second quarter and did not return.
  • Broncos defensive lineman Mike Purcell left the game in the fourth quarter but did return.
  • Marvin Mims 99-yard kick return touchdown was a bright spot on a very gloomy day for Denver.
  • The Broncos had three total turnovers (two fumbles lost, turnover on downs) on Sunday.

What’s next?
The Broncos will travel next week to take on the Chicago Bears.