They started playing good teams. In other news...
The Denver Broncos began 2021 with a strong 3-0 record followed by fairly lopsided losses to AFC North opponents, sliding to 3-2 after five weeks of football. When the Broncos were 3-0, the combined record of the teams they had defeated (Giants, Jags, Jets) was 0-9. The Ravens and Steelers, despite some struggles, are infinitely more competent teams than the previous three, and managed to dismantle the Broncos reasonably easily.
In the early victories, the Broncos overcame several clock management conundrums, special teams mishaps, and coaching miscues that were masked by the level of competition they were facing. As those recurring issues continued in the face of more rounded teams, the repercussions became more magnified.
The Broncos felt evenly matched with the Ravens early in week 4, and Denver scored first when the Javonte Williams 31-yard "Angry Run" led to a 3-yard Noah Fant touchdown. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a concussion shortly thereafter, and the Fant touchdown was the last time Denver would score on the day.
The Ravens barely had to blitz to create pressure in the second half, as the Broncos abandoned the rush and unsuccessfully relied on the arm of backup Drew Lock to bring them back. While the Denver defense did a great job containing Lamar Jackson and the Ravens run game, they conversely let him air it out for 300+ yards and ultimately lost 23-7.
Week 5 saw the Broncos head to Pittsburgh and face a (supposed) shell of the Steel Curtain, due to age and injuries. Big Ben may not be the same, but that team has talent, great coaching, and one of the best home crowds in the country. The Denver offense moved the ball but managed only field goals in the first half, while the Steelers came out like they had something to prove and shredded the Broncos through the air once again, exploiting what is supposed to be the strength of the Mile High defense.
Bridgewater made it a game in the second half, throwing two touchdowns but also a comeback-killing interception late in the fourth quarter, and the Broncos lost 27-19.
So what happened? The Denver offense was killing it on stat sheets in the first three weeks but much of that was due to holding a lead through the second half of all three games. Without protecting a lead, the run/pass balance was completely thrown off and the weaknesses of the offense became glaring, with Denver converting just 5 of 29 third down attempts in the two losses.
The Broncos defense boasts the highest-paid secondary in the league, and against Daniel Jones and the first two picks of the 2021 draft (Lawrence and Wilson), they were a top 3 defense in almost every category. Enter Lamar Jackson and future Hall of Fame Ben Roethlisberger, and the pride of the Rockies fell apart in key moments that changed the game. Alexander Johnson dropped a Big Ben pick gifted to his hands, Kyle Fuller got burned, Von Miller was covering Chase Claypool...and over the top, Justin Simmons seems to be having trouble becoming the difference maker the team expects from their big-contract safety.
Injuries haven't been kind to the Broncos. The team is missing pass rusher Bradley Chubb, wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler, tight end Albert Okweugbunam, and linebacker Joey Jewell among others. Jerry Jeudy is probably the most missed in the two losses, as his insane ability to get open on third downs would certainly elevate a stagnant offense. Jeudy profiles to return in the coming weeks but the others range from unsure returns to season-ending ailments.
Coaching miscues is the elephant in the room of the the Broncos results over the last two weeks. Starting the game with a delay penalty in Pittsburgh, and a continuing failure on special teams (including allowing a return touchdown to Jacksonville) all indicate that some of the issues aren't related to the talent on the field. OC Pat Shurmer, under fire for abandoning the run against the Ravens, pounded the rock until he punted far too much a week later against Pittsburgh.
What we can realistically take away from this is that the Broncos are a solid team with a young base, searching for an identity in one of the toughest divisions in football. Bridgewater isn't the QB of the future, but he is the best QB to find out what this roster is capable of going forward. Bright spots are rookies Pat Surtain and Javonte Williams, each looking to have elite potential while they cut their teeth at the starting level.
The main obstacle the Broncos face is themselves, their coaching staff and the injuries that threaten how thin they are at certain positions. The coaches need to understand the strengths of their current roster and design game plans that exploit that. Just because the defense shut out the Jets, doesn't mean that blueprint will work against Big Ben, and the play callers need to adjust accordingly for the upcoming matchups against the Raiders and Browns.
In summary, Denver never really had a playoff outlook, but has quietly been building a roster for the future. Under Bridgewater the team can stay competitive enough to actually evaluate that roster, and hopefully make a case for the Broncos to land Aaron Rodgers in the never-ending quest to find the next franchise QB and make a championship run.
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