The Denver Broncos offense has a problem that feels like the equivalent of solving the Pythagorean theorem without a textbook. Penalties, poor execution, and poor play plagued the Broncos offense on primetime, but the trend has been concerning since Week 1.
Concerns growing about the Denver Broncos offense
The Broncos’ defense did everything they could on Thursday Night to give the offense everything it needed to win against the Indianapolis Colts. Throughout Thursday’s game which saw the Broncos drop to 2-3, Denver’s defense rewarded the offense by getting the ball back.
Caden Sterns two-interception performance hasn’t been talked about as much as it should because the Broncos lost and the story is heavily focused on the offense’s struggles. The Broncos’ first offensive drive saw them take a 3-0 lead after a 10-play 49-yard drive. 49 total yards on the first drive.
How many total yards of offense did the Broncos have going into halftime? 103 yards. After Denver’s first series, their next two drives showcased a trending issue that’s impacted them since week 1.
Three plays for minus four yards resulting in a punt, three plays for five yards resulting in another punt. Their fourth drive of the game was promising after one of Sterns’ takeaways but resulted in yet another field goal on a 10-play 45-yard drive. Before halftime, the Broncos’ offense had another drive featuring four plays for only 11 yards, resulting in a punt.
The Broncos’ offense is struggling to capitalize and execute their offensive scheme and it’s at the defense’s expense who has been doing their job a majority of this season. Third-down efficiency is one of the biggest areas of concern, with Denver converting only 22 of 72 attempts (30.6%) which is bottom three in the NFL.
One consistent factor that has impacted Denver’s third-down efficiency is equated to constantly being behind the sticks, failing to get the run game going, and taking too many shots downfield.
Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said that the offensive staff has to look in the mirror to find a way to put players in a better position to succeed.
“I would say for sure we need more time,” Hackett said on Friday morning. “I think we’re in the process of we’re going to evaluate everything. We’re going to sit down as an offensive staff, we’re going to look at all of the things that we thought were good. Things that sometimes they look good, and we might not have capitalized on them, so we don’t want to necessarily throw those things out of there. We just want to find ways to get guy open and give them the opportunity to make plays. That’s what we’re looking for. We’re going to be sure we look at it with a fine tooth comb, all of us, every single one of us, to try to put those guys in the best position possible.”
The Broncos will benefit from not having to play until next Monday night on the road in Los Angeles against the Chargers, but with injuries on the offensive line, what changes Denver makes will be interesting going forward.
What’s going on with Russell Wilson?
Many in Broncos Country have started to second-guess whether or not George Paton’s trade for Russell Wilson was worth it. It’s fair at this juncture considering the Broncos’ offensive personnel and talent at the skill player positions, combined with Wilson’s stature as a quarterback.
However, through five weeks of play, the Broncos and Wilson have been on a roller coaster of highs and lows, with flashes of good play, and many instances of inconsistent performance.
Thursday night’s game against the Colts was arguably one of Wilson’s worst performances in his career, where he appeared to miss several reads, find open receivers, and put the ball into harm’s way with two badly thrown interceptions.
Granted, Wilson is in a brand new environment featuring new players, coaches, and different circumstances. It was known that it could take time to mesh, but Thursday’s performance has many Broncos fans uneasy about the future.
So far through five games, Wilson is on pace for one of the worst statistical outputs of his career. He’s completing nearly 59.4% of his passes for 1254 yards, four touchdowns to three interceptions, and has been sacked 16 times. Wilson has established strong chemistry with wide receiver Courtland Sutton but hasn’t seemingly found his footing just yet with Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler who have gotten open various times this season and haven’t been looked at or have been over/under thrown.
Either Wilson is trying to do too much or is struggling to adapt to his and Hackett’s combined offense. Wilson took responsibility following Thursday night’s game, vowing to respond and help get the offense going.
“Yeah, it’s very simple,” Wilson said in his post-game press conference. “At the end of the day, I have to be better. I have to play better. This team, this defense played their butts off tonight. We had some key, good drives [where] we moved the ball. In the red zone, we just didn’t get to capitalize on some of them. There were some plays here and there that we can capitalize on. We were [facing] third and long again too much. It’s always tough on offense when you’re third-and-15, third-and-17, this and that. At the end of the day, throwing two interceptions can’t happen. Can’t happen. I let the team down tonight. The good thing is that one thing I know about myself is [that] I’m going to respond. I don’t know any other way. I always believe in myself. I always believe in this team. I believe in what we can do. I believe in what I can do. When you play this game, the one thing you’re going to know is that you’re going to go through adversity. Adversity is a choice, and I’m always going to choose to understand that adversity is just temporary and you’re going to overcome obstacles and battles. We’re all working together. We’re all still together focused on trying to do whatever it takes. It starts with me, and I’ll make sure that I do that.”
Broncos fans are on the edge of their seats hoping that the offense can find a way to be competitive, and as reassuring as Wilson’s words are, they’re hoping that actions speak louder.
