Halfway through the 2016 season, the same area for improvement the Denver Broncos brought into the season is the one keeping them from being an ‘A’ level team.
“I give them a ‘B’ right now,” NFL analyst Bryant McFadden of 120 Sports said of the Broncos. “Still a playoff caliber team. They just have to continue to be more consistent offensively.”
Denver’s offense has been streaky to say the least. They are one of the worst teams in the first and third quarters, averaging 4.5 combined points in those quarters through eight games. At the same time, they rank first in the NFL in fourth-quarter points with an 11.4 average and are in the top-10 in second-quarter points at 8.4.
“I think Denver right now to be 6-2, with all the new faces they have in their lineup offensively and defensively, I give them a ‘B’ … I think that’s a quality team. I still question the offense.”
McFadden is fair in questioning the offense, which has produced only one game of 400 yards and has 11 turnovers through eight games.
“When you look at their key players, especially at quarterback, I question how explosive this team can be. But the potential is there because of the defense,” according to McFadden.
Trevor Siemian ranks 29th in yards per game with a meager 212 yards, although an injury cut short the game against Tampa Bay and caused him to miss Week 5 against Atlanta.
“Keep in mind,” McFadden says, “one of the losses they sustained happened with Paxton Lynch at quarterback. Trevor Siemian, before that [shoulder] injury, was playing at a high level. He was doing some good things. He was creating plays and he was starting to get more comfortable in this offense.
McFadden’s biggest question mark heading into the second half of the season: How will the team will play without C.J. Anderson?
Denver faces a tough start to the second half. They travel to Oakland to face the Raiders in a game with first place in the AFC West on the line. After that, they go to New Orleans before a bye week. They face the Chiefs on Thanksgiving weekend in another game that could have first place in the AFC West on the line.