Broncos Get Buried by Raiders at Home, Fall to 3-3

 The Broncos dropped their third straight game and are now 3-3 after getting buried at home to the Raiders 34-24 on Sunday. Even at 3-3, this season feels like it is starting to go the wrong way fast. It is one thing to lose to the Raiders, but to lose to them a few days after the Raiders had to fire Jon Gruden after troubling emails emerged. It was a really bad loss for the Broncos, and they need to figure it out quick or this season is going to be another disappointing one. Here are my thoughts on the game...

1) The Broncos defense got torched again for the third straight week. They couldn't stop the Raiders and Derek Carr and gave up big plays in the pass game once again. They also look like they quit down the stretch, which is very concerning. 

2) Vic Fangio has to figure out how to get this defense going. This is supposed to be the strength of this team and now it is not playing up to par. They also lost LB Al Johnson to a season-ending injury in the game, so the injuries are starting to pile up on defense too.

3) The offense still isn't good enough and there is plenty of blame to go around. I blame Pat Shurmur for his play calling, Teddy Bridgewater is limited in certain areas-especially on third down, and their offensive line is not playing well. Throw in the injuries to the WR corps and this offense is not a productive unit. They really couldn't do much for most of the first part of the game on Sunday. It is not like the Raiders defense is that good and the Broncos couldn't exploit it at all.

4) This team right now looks like it is a bad team and the season is going downhill. There are some serious concerns on both sides of the ball. You can't let the Raiders come to Denver and beat you up after a week in which the Raiders lost their head coach. That was about as bad as a home loss as you can get.

5) The Broncos fans are tired of watching this team lose for 5 plus years and they are seeing this team fall apart again. At 3-3, the Broncos are in a must-win situation as they head to Cleveland on a short week for a Thursday night game against the Browns. They need to win this to turn this thing around. 

Broncos-Raiders and Week 6 Picks

The Broncos have lost two straight games and this is a huge game on Sunday in Denver against the 3-2 Raiders. I really think this is a must-win for the Broncos. They have to avoid losing three straight games and with Cleveland looming on Thursday night, they need to get this win this week. The Raiders are dealing with all sorts of drama as head coach Jon Gruden resigned this week over controversial emails were uncovered. Even with all that going on, I still think the Raiders are dangerous and this game will be tough. I still can't trust the Broncos until they prove me wrong. Until then, I won't get my hopes up or buy in.

Prediction: Las Vegas (+3) over DENVER

Final Score: Raiders-24 Broncos-22

Now, onto the picks for Week 6....

Last Week's Record: 10-5-1

Overall Record: 38-36-5

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Jacksonville (+4) over Miami (In London): London gets another crappy game this week as the 0-5 Jags take on the 1-4 Dolphins. I think the Jags somehow get their first win of the season.

INDIANAPOLIS (-7) over Houston: The Colts blew a big lead on MNF last week in the loss to the Ravens, but they will take care of business at home and get to 2-4 with a win over Houston.

CHICAGO (+5) over Green Bay: I think the Packers will win this game but at 5-1, they are due for a rough week. I think this might be the game in which that occurs. 

Kansas City (-6) over WASHINGTON: At 2-3, the Chiefs need to buckle down and play a complete game. I think they will this week in DC with a blowout win.

CAROLINA (+2) over Minnesota: I'll take the home underdog here. The Panthers are 3-2 but have lost two straight. I think they right the ship at home over an unpredictable Vikings team. 

Chargers (+3) over BALTIMORE: I think the Chargers are one of the legitimate in contenders in the AFC and this will be a test for them as they travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens. This actually should be the SNF game this week but it wasn't flexed. I like the Chargers to pull it out on the road.

DETROIT (+4) over Cincinnati: The Lions are due for a win after losing a few heartbreakers to start the year. I think they get it this week over the Bengals. 

Rams (-9) over GIANTS: The Giants are all banged up and here come the Rams into the Meadowlands. I think the Rams take care of business and bury the G-Men.

CLEVELAND (-3) over Arizona: The Browns host the 5-0 Cardinals, and I think this will be a back and forth game. I like the number at three and I think the Browns will win the game and cover.

Dallas (-4) over NEW ENGLAND: I'm tempted to take the Pats here but I really like how the Cowboys are rolling on offense. This should be a good game, but I'll take the Cowboys to pull it out.

Seattle (+5) over PITTSBURGH: Russell Wilson is out for at least a month with a finger injury, and that means that Geno Smith is now the starter. I think the Seahawks will rally around each other and play well. I don't know if they will win, but I think they will keep it close.

Buffalo (-4) over TENNESSEE: I think this will be a fun game on Monday Night Football. I think it will be close for a while, but look for Josh Allen and the Bills to pull away late. 

TNF Week 6 Pick

 Tampa Bay (-6) over PHILADELPHIA 

Broncos Late Rally Falls Short at Pittsburgh, Fall to 3-2

 The Broncos dug themselves a hug hole on Sunday in Pittsburgh, and they almost got out of it, but a late rally by Denver was not enough as the Broncos lost to the Steelers 27-19. The loss drops Denver to 3-2 on the season. Here are my thoughts on the game....

1) The Broncos played one of the worst three quarters of football in the Vic Fangio era. They were down 24-6 heading into the 4th quarter. They were out-coached and out-played for the first three quarters. It was a very embarrassing effort at times. Just ugly for a while.

2) Al Johnson dropped two surefire interceptions and each time that drives then resulted in a Steelers touchdown. They were killer.

3) The Broncos defense did not play well at all. This is supposed to be the strength of this team and they got cut up by Ben Roethlisberger, who had looked washed up so far this season. The Steelers offense was struggling this year, and the Broncos couldn't stop them. It was a bad performance all around by this defense on Sunday. At one point, they had Von Miller covering Chase Claypool in the slot. That is just bad football right there.

4) One of the key moments of the game was when the Broncos forced a field goal down 17-6 late in the 3rd quarter. Pittsburgh made the field goal to make it 20-6 and seemingly a two score game. Dre'Mont Jones was called for a penalty for using a Steeler lineman as leverage in attempt to block the kick. That gave Pitt a first down and of course they scored on that drive to make it 24-6. That was such a huge play i the game.

5) Give Teddy Bridgewater and the Broncos credit for making a comeback late in the 4th quarter. Bridgewater's 4th and goal pass was intercepted in the end zone with seconds left and that sealed the Steelers win. It shouldn't have taken that long for Denver's offense to get going in this game.

6) The Broncos now fall to 3-2 and are on a two-game losing streak. They have shown to be a team that does not look for real. They have to win this game on Sunday at home against the Raiders. This is a huge game and a must win-even though it is only Week 6. 

Broncos-Steelers and Week 5 Quick Picks

Last Week's Record: 9-7-0

Overall Record: 28-31-4

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

PITTSBURGH (+2) over Denver

Atlanta (-2) over Jets (In London)

Green Bay (-2) over CINCINNATI 

Detroit (+10) over MINNESOTA

TAMPA BAY (-9) over Miami

WASHINGTON (+3) over New Orleans

CAROLINA (-3) over Philadelphia

Tennessee (-4) over JACKSONVILLE

HOUSTON (+8) over New England

LAS VEGAS (-5) over Chicago

CHARGERS (-2) over Cleveland

DALLAS (-7) over Giants

San Francisco (+6) over ARIZONA

KANSAS CITY (-2) over Buffalo

BALTIMORE (-6) over Indianapolis 

NFL Week 5 TNF Pick

Rams (-1) over SEATTLE 

Broncos Fall To Ravens in First Loss of Season

 The Ravens came into Denver and defeated the Broncos on Sunday 23-7 to hand Denver their first loss of the season. The Broncos are not 3-1, and it was a disappointing outcome considering the Broncos had a lot of positive vibes coming into the game off a 3-0 start to the year. Here are my thoughts on the game....

1) The Broncos offense couldn't get anything going all day on the Ravens defense. Yes, injuries are starting to pile up, but outside of Teddy Bridgewater TD pass to Noah Fant that gave Denver a 7-0 lead early in the 2nd quarter, the Broncos did nothing on offense all day long.

2) The Ravens answered with 17 quick points in response to the Broncos touchdown and never looked back. They had the 17-7 lead at halftime and Denver just couldn't rally.

3) Teddy Bridgewater got knocked from the game with a concussion, and Drew Lock did not play well at all in relief. The Broncos need to get Bridgewater back as soon as possible. 

4) There were too many open receivers and wide open plays that the Ravens made on Denver's defense. The Broncos contained Lamar Jackson running the ball, but he gashed them pretty good in the passing game.

5) The Broncos need to regroup and travel to Pittsburgh and get a win on the road over a desperate Steelers team to avoid a two game losing streak. The Broncos need to get this one and get to 4-1.