NFL.com Forecasts Doom for Broncos' Sean Payton/Russell Wilson Duo
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Thursday night, the Denver Broncos suffered their 16th straight loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in primetime. Vance Joseph and the Broncos defense flipped the script this time by outplaying their offensive counterparts.
Russell Wilson and the offense failed to contribute enough for the second straight week, resulting in another loss for the Orange and Blue. While the Broncos' placement in NFL.com's Week 7 power rankings didn't change, this team’s outlook grows ever bleaker.
Eric Edholm voiced his concerns about Sean Payton's ability to extract anything more out of the Broncos' current roster.
Broncos Ranking: 28
It’s becoming harder to see how Sean Payton and Russell Wilson are going to thrive in their arranged pairing, considering the Broncos are amid their worst start in nearly 30 years. Wilson has looked solid to strong at times, but mistakes at critical junctures have really marred his play this season. Payton has looked weary at times, even if he’s coaxed much better effort from the team since the 50-point loss to the Dolphins. The defense especially came to play in last Thursday’s 19-8 loss at Kansas City, and maybe it’s a stepping stone for better play down the stretch. But if Denver doesn’t get more from Wilson, Jerry Jeudy, and the offensive line, it’s going to be difficult to project much actual progress toward winning.
If someone had told me that the Broncos would start the Payton era 1-5, the worst since 1964, I would’ve laughed in their face. Now everyone except Broncos Country is doubled over cackling over the failures of the 2023 squad.
Wilson seems to have lost the magic that willed him to be a Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback. His elusiveness and explosiveness have wholly disappeared from his game, leaving behind only the worst parts of him.
Wilson finished Week 6 13-of-22 for 95 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions. While the Broncos receiving corps had trouble getting open, Wilson never allowed them to go up and make a play beyond the lone touchdown pass that Courtland Sutton masterfully hauled in.
Russ' first interception to Nick Bolton was dreadful, as it was as if the Chiefs linebacker was the intended target. Wilson seems unable to read the field effectively, which is inexcusable for a 12th-year veteran. It’s hard to justify trotting out the once-proud steed going forward because if he sustains a significant injury, he’ll be due $37 million more on his already inflated contract.
Aside from Wilson, the antics of Broncos wideout Jerry Jeudy made it abundantly clear that he needs to be shipped out of Dove Valley. Beefing with Thursday Night Football analyst Steve Smith wasn’t a wise decision on Jeudy’s part, as he was verbally eviscerated.
Jeudy didn’t help himself on the field either, as he only caught three balls for 14 yards. For being an elite route runner, he couldn’t get open to save his career. His childish attitude and lack of production to back it up could have him dawning a new uniform sooner rather than later.
This week could determine whether Wilson will start for the rest of the season. The Green Bay Packers come to town and are looking for a team to squash after their loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Payton’s patience with Wilson could be running thin, and if the Broncos find themselves with another loss on Sunday, a drastic change could be coming.
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