Broncos Drop Multiple Spots in NFL.com's Week 3 Power Rankings
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If you asked a fan what the Denver Broncos' record would be after facing the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders in the first two weeks, most likely would’ve placed the team at 2-0. Boy, are those fans disappointed now after the Broncos found a way to let Washington conquer them after sitting on a 21-3 margin halfway through the second quarter of Week 2's eventual 35-33 loss.
The Broncos have suffered numerous embarrassing losses under multiple regimes since winning Super Bowl 50, but this one stands out like a clown at a funeral. After a heartbreaking defeat, the Broncos sit at an 0-2 record going into Week 3 and have lost their footing in the NFL.com's power rankings.
Let’s look at what Eric Edholm says about dropping the Broncos three spots to No. 23.
Denver is one of two 0-2 teams to have lost both contests at home, along with New England. The Broncos’ losses have been by 1 and 2 points. It feels like they were a few plays away from being 2-0, but you can’t overlook the fact that the Broncos were up 21-3 Sunday with the ball on the Washington 40-yard line midway through the second quarter. From there, Washington put up 18 straight points (and it should have been more), as Denver’s offense froze and the defense allowed scoring chances on six straight possessions. Russell Wilson’s second-quarter fumble and third-quarter interception sandwiched a pair of three-and-outs. Sean Payton’s postgame comments seemed to center around Wilson and the offense. Where this thing goes is anyone’s guess, but the road to the playoffs is longer now.
The Broncos' losses were largely one-score games last season. That trend was supposed to end with the hiring of Sean Payton, but it seems that coming up short hasn’t gone out of style in Dove Valley. Both games this season were winnable, especially this matchup against the Commanders.
Allowing Sam Howell to put 18 unanswered points is an indictment on the hiring of Vance Joseph. In back-to-back weeks, we’ve seen Denver's Joseph-led defense fail to get the opposing offense off the field.
Even with a 21-3 lead, the Broncos' defensive coordinator let a quarterback with a handful of starts vanquish him. Horrible tackling, especially on screen passes, was his unit’s downfall and a reflection of terrible coaching. Joseph simply can’t raise the floor of the defense.
Even though Denver had a lead, the offense isn’t blameless. Wilson looked sensational, throwing deep shots to Marvin Mims Jr., one for a touchdown and another to Brandon Johnson. However, the Broncos' offensive output halted due to penalties and turnovers.
Wilson threw a terrible interception and then later lost a fumble. Losing the turnover battle isn’t a winning recipe.
Mims completely disappeared in the second half, and no one else supplemented his production. Payton needs to manufacture more touches for Jerry Jeudy and Mims because this offense can’t seem to get moving without them. After two weeks, it’s clear the Broncos' offense still needs time to get their legs under them.
After a demoralizing loss on Sunday, the Broncos face a playoff contender in the Miami Dolphins. If the defense couldn’t handle Howell and Terry McLaurin, asking it to stop Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle seems improbable.
If Denver wants to get back on track and prove it belongs in the playoff conversation, it has to snag a statement win. If not, Broncos Country could be trapped in a world of suck for another season.
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