The Broncos didn't get blown out on Sunday, and they were able to mount a comeback against the Rams but ultimately they fell 23-20 after they couldn't recover the onside kick in the waning moments. It was the fourth loss in a row for the Broncos and they now stand at 2-4, and the hot seat under head coach Vance Joseph just got engulfed in flames. It is starting to look like 2017 all over again, and if it doesn't get fixed soon, there are going to be heads that will roll in Denver. Here are my thoughts and observations on the game...
1) This sequence just about sums up everything that is wrong with this Broncos team. Trailing 6-0, Case Keenum hits Emmanuel Sanders for a deep ball that appears to be a touchdown. Sanders scores, then points his finger at the cornerback of the Rams, and then draws a taunting penalty. The play is reviewed and it shows that Sanders was actually down by contact at the one, but the penalty stands and now the Bronocos don't get the touchdown, and have to start from the 16 instead of having the ball at the one. Of course, Denver settles for a field goal and makes it 6-3 instead of taking a 7-6 lead.
2) The Broncos were down 13-3 with 39 seconds left in the half and they faced a 4th and 3 from the Rams 39 yard line. VJ elected to go for it, and Case Keenum got sacked. Now, the Broncos defense bailed them out by forcing a punt, but it was a risky move by VJ. I don't have that much of an issue going for it but the playcall was awful. They needed three yards, and the receivers all ran downfield routes. What an awful call and execution as Devontae Booker missed the blitzer. Just bad football all around.
3) The Broncos offensive line is pretty bad. Garrett Bolles holds every game, they can't give Keenum time, and its a bad mix. Keenum holds the ball too long and the team is terrible in the red zone. They ran a fade to Jeff Heuerman in the endzone in the 4th quarter when they were attempting to comeback. It's a bad line, with a below average QB, and spotty playcalling. That's why they are struggling on offense.
4) The Broncos run defense got gashed once again-this time by Todd Gurley. Gurley ran for 208 yards, and the Broncos simply couldn't stop him. They did a nice job on Jared Goff and the passing attack, but got overrun by Gurley, and that proved to be the difference. I can't believe how bad their run defense has been the last two weeks.
5) On a positive note, Bradley Chubb had three sacks and played well throughout. Von Miller also added a sack and the Broncos had six on the day. An interception by Darian Stewart off a deflection got the Broncos back in the game after a Keenum pick in the 3rd quarter. The defense certainly isn't where it needs to be but they did a pretty good job at times on the Rams offense.
6) I never thought the Broncos were going to win this game, but they did make it close in the 4th quarter, and they had chances throughout the game to take the lead and take the game over, but they couldn't do it. It is a fourth straight loss and at 2-4, it looks like another lost season. They head to Arizona to take on the 1-5 Cardinals this Thursday night. If they lose, I think Vance Joseph is gone, but even if they win to get to 3-4, they still have a trip to Arrowhead to take on the Chiefs next week. Do you really think this team and this coaching staff are going to turn this thing around this year? Part of me wants them to lose to see it get blown up now, but a part of me wants them to win to keep this season competitive. The sad part is the losing is becoming the norm now for Broncos fans, and that is something that hasn't ever lasted in my lifetime as a fan.
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