The Broncos played their last game of the 2020 season at home on Sunday against the 7-8 Raiders. It was a meaningless game as Denver came into it 5-10 and another losing season already in the books. The Raiders scored a late touchdown on a 4th and goal and then got the two point conversion to win the game 32-31. The loss gave Denver a final record of 5-11 and a last place finish in the AFC West. It was actually an entertaining game and wild finish, but in the larger scope this game and result meant nothing. Here are my thoughts and observations about the game....
1) Denver actually outplayed the Raiders for most of the game. They created four turnovers, controlled time of possession, and scored 31 points, yet they still lost. That just about sums up the 2020 season for the Broncos.
2) The end of the game was a mess for Vic Fangio and his clock management. We saw it cost the Broncos in Week 1 against the Titans and we saw it cost them again in Week 17. He used the Broncos final two timeouts late in the game. One was on the 4th and goal play that the Raiders eventually scored to make it 31-30. The other was before the two-point conversion but the Raiders were scrambling around and there was confusion in their huddle and on the sideline and they might have had a delay of game. The Broncos kind of bailed them out and of course the Raiders get the two-pointer and take the lead with under 30 seconds left. Denver had no timeouts left and somehow was able to setup a 63 yard field goal by Brandon McManus that was blocked. Fangio did a really bad job there. You have to leave at least 1 timeout left for your team in case you are down by 1 and need a field goal. Fangio's clock management is very suspect at this point in his coaching career. He can't coach the game just like a defensive coordinator. He has to coach it like a head coach. If the Broncos are playing meaningful and big games next year, he has to clean this part of his game management up or it will cost them big time.
3) Of course, Melvin Gordon runs out of bounds as Denver is trying to salt the game away. Gordon turned out to be a nice addition to the offense-especially at the end of year-but he fumbles too much and just makes too many bone-headed plays.
4) One positive of the game was Drew Lock. He played really well. He completed 25-41 passes for 339 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INT. He didn't turn the ball over for the first time since Week 1. He even hit Jerry Jeudy for a 92 yard TD in the 4th quarter to give Denver a 31-24 lead. Lock definitely looked comfortable back there and it was a nice way for him to go into the offseason. It was something to build on.
5) Another positive is that the Broncos loss gave them the 9th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. They also locked in a last place finish and it set up their 4th place placement games for next year which will be hosting the Jets and playing at Jacksonville.
6) It was a disappointing end to the 2020 season, but aspects of this season have to be taken into account. This was just not a normal year for the Broncos. There were no OTAs, minicamps, and preseason games. They endured huge and countless injuries to key players, they were hit by Covid in a lot of ways and worse than other teams, and it was a really young team, so it just wasn't in the cards for this group. I actually think they are better than the 5-11 record says they are. People in the national media will shit on this Broncos team, but for anyone who follows this team, you know that there is a lot of young talent on this roster. It won't be as bad of a team as people will peg them going into next year. This year is done and now it is time to look ahead to next year. It won't be easy, but hopefully there will be better days ahead for the Broncos in 2021.
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