The Broncos entered Sunday's game at home against the 3-6 Eagles flying high with a big road win over Dallas the week before and a 5-4 record. It looked like the perfect scenario for them to get to 6-4 heading into their bye week. Unfortunately, the Broncos did not show up and they paid the price with a 30-13 defeat at the hands of the Eagles. The loss is a big one as Denver falls to 5-5 heading into their bye week. It was definitely a missed opportunity and further questions where this team is actually headed this season. Here are my thoughts on the game...
1) Pat Shurmur tested positive for Covid on Friday so he didn't call the plays on Sunday. Instead, Mike Shula took over the play-calling. Whatever the case was, Shula didn't do a good job at all. It was not pretty on offense at all.
2) The Broncos injuries have piled up each week and being without three starting offensive linemen did not help their offense one bit.
3) The Broncos defense also got shredded in the run game and in the passing game by Philly. I didn't think Jalen Hurts would dice the Broncos defense up like he did. Just a disappointing performance all around.
4) Denver's redzone opportunities killed them in this game. They had a 22 yard field goal blocked, they had a touchdown called back, and they fumbled on a 4th and 1 late in the third quarter. All three plays were pivotal.
5) The play that got the most attention-and for good reason- was the fumble return by Darius Slay at the end of the 3rd quarter. After Melvin Gordon fumbled on a 4th and 1 play, Slay picked up and ran around and through the Broncos all the way for a 87 yard fumbled return to make it 27-13 Philly. The key moment on the play was Teddy Bridgewater didn't even attempt to tackle Slay as he raced passed him. Teddy did absolutely nothing which is just so bad on every level. It was the signature play of the game and could be the signature play for Bridgewater this year.
6) This is another bad home loss for the Broncos. It is their third home loss this year, and all three were by double digits. They have suffered eight double digit home losses in the Vic Fangio era. The Broncos are 4-9 in their last 13 home games, which is very disturbing to say the least. They are also 1-20 when trailing at halftime under Fangio. That all adds up to a team that looks like it is going nowhere and will have massive changes on the coaching staff after the season.
7) Just a disappointing day all around for the Broncos. Just when you got excited about them again this season, they give a performance like this and bring you right back down.
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