Last week’s loss to the Colts was not the ending we deserved as fans of this team, but it was what we got because the Broncos did not do as they were told by us — play discplined football.
But they have another chance this week to get on track and even make some headway in the AFC West if they can do what they were supposed to last week.
WesternAZBroncosfan44 is back with another outstanding UFG, telling the Broncos exactly what they have to do to get this done — doing their jobs!!
Like a pro, WesternAZ
has done his job, so let’s hope the Broncos know how to do theirs!
Week 3: Broncos at Chargers
MHR – Oh my goodness. Do we even need to talk about last week’s game? Just tell us your immediate thought after watching the Broncos win then lose 😉
WesternAZbroncosfan44: I went from relief to instantaneous Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. The team didn’t do their job and left victory in the hands of the refs. We got hosed, Laurie. I hate it when the Broncos play in that building…bad things seem to happen for the Broncos there. The only good thing that came out of there for the Broncos was Peyton Manning.
MHR – Despite losing on a stupid penalty (my view, of course), the fact is that the Broncos offense made some big mistakes at the worst times (e.g., an interception and a missed field goal from 42 yards away). Are you concerned about the offense overall or was it “just some unfortunate errors” that will happen?
WesternAZbroncosfan44: The offense was okay for most of the game. We even ran the ball more than 10 times. Bo had a choice to make the errant throw or hurt his hand on the helmet of a defender or hope for the best, IMO. I usually enjoy the kicking game and couldn’t believe that Lutz missed a very makeable kick. I hope he’s gotten that out of his system and is good for the rest of the year. A lot of errors cost us the game.
MHR – The defense last week was another story…playing pretty poorly the entire game. Is that any more concerning to you, given how good they are supposed to be this year? What needs immediate attention to turn it around this week and play like a top 5 NFL defense?
WesternAZbroncosfan44: I think the defense was busy reading reports in the media how great they were and didn’t take the Colts that seriously. Surtain got hurt early, and the Colts found the weak spot, named Singleton. He’s a good run-stop ILB but has no business trying to play coverage. The Colts’ game plan was executed very well.
MHR – Zach Allen leads the NFL in QB pressures and Nik Bonitto has added a bunch of those too. But the pass rush had a hard time reaching Daniel Jones last week (just one sack) after having a field day with rookie Cam Ward in Week 1. Justin Herbert is no rookie and is light years beyond Daniel Jones. Any chance the Broncos can sack him this week?
WesternAZbroncosfan44: Only if we can have sound coverage on the back end of our defense and a little bit of push from the middle of our D-line.
MHR – Dre Greenlaw’s impact on this defense seems to be a phantom in our minds so far. Do you think his absence is a major factor in some of the exploitation offenses have been able to do the last two weeks against the Broncos?
WesternAZbroncosfan44: I am positive his presence would be a big boost to our defense. Strnad and Singleton are not going to cut it. I am bummed that the Broncos have yet to legitimately address the ILB hole that has been in the D for a long time. FA pick-ups from other teams’ cast-off or worn-out players isn’t going to cut it.
MHR – Jonathan Taylor BY HIMSELF ran 165 yards on the defense last week. Jim Harbaugh has to be salivating over that number as he looks at rookie running back Omarion Hampton’s name in the Chargers’ game plan this week. Do you expect an extra heavy run attack from the Chargers, and do you think the Broncos D will be up to the task after last week’s embarrassment?
WesternAZbroncosfan44: Yes, provided the players (this next line tastes awful) do their jobs. They had Taylor bottled up most of the game. An arm tackle and a missed assignment and he was headed for the promised land until he got caught by Hufanga, the safety who didn’t quit on his job!
MHR – Even if the Broncos are able to stymie the Chargers’ ground game, they have Justin Herbert who is finally playing like an MVP quarterback (unfortunately). And he has had a lot of success with 72-year-old Keenan Allen as well as Quentin Johnston. Will Pat Surtain and Riley Moss be more effective in shutting down the passing game or do you think it’s going to be a long day for this secondary?
WesternAZbroncosfan44: If Surtain and Moss are healthy, we have a chance. We need to get more pressure on Sherbert (my pet name for him that my LA Chargers fan relatives hate). Let him know we have come to play, make him uncomfortable, rattle him a bit. Then we will have a chance.
MHR – Moving to the offense, Bo Nix looked much more comfortable last week than he did Week 1 but then had a key mistake that cost the team a big chance to seal the win. Are you concerned about our second-year QB’s progress from last year to this year or is that way too early of a hot take on Nix?
WesternAZbroncosfan44: I liked how he and Payton converse on the sideline during games. Fire baby, lots of fire. It’s still too early in his career to tell. Last year Nix was being called a bum or bust early in the season if I recall correctly. Then all of a sudden he’s the best thing since sliced bread. I think midseason would be a better picture of what we have in Nix. Payton changed the run game and opened up the playbook this season. Nix is operating with the same coordinator for the first time in his career. Let’s simmer the meal for a game or two and see what kind of sauce we get.
MHR – In addition to offseason hype over the defense and running attack, there was A LOT of talk about having a “joker.” So far the only joker has been Sean Payton for having said that all offseason but not having delivered. Do you think we’ll see Evan Engram live up to his hype before the season is over or it’s too late to matter?
WesternAZbroncosfan44: Engram has been injured. I coached football (never above high school level) before, and whenever I had an injured player, I would not game plan for him too much. It would be a waste of time and resources. Plays are precious and shouldn’t be wasted. If Engram heals up, I believe he will be exactly as advertised. Until then, your guess is as good as mine.
MHR – JK Dobbins has almost quietly had a productive first two games, landing himself at No.2 among all running backs for percentage of 10+ yard runs. Yet the running game doesn’t seem to be as dominant as we were promised (at least, I’m thinking we were promised this). Do you think that has been the game plan? Or just circumstances? Or are these backs not as dominant as we were planning?
WesternAZbroncosfan44: Dobbins has looked better than I thought he would. Harvey looks like he’s still figuring it out. They installed a new run scheme this season, and It looks like it hasn’t gelled yet. Too many players thinking instead of playing. Ben “underpowered” Powers looks to me like he’s lost on some plays.
MHR – One of the most positive things out of last week was the emergence of Troy Franklin. How important will he be to the offense this week? How should Payton balance using Franklin and Courtland Sutton for big plays?
WesternAZbroncosfan44: I think Franklin has moved up the depth chart with his play so far. I would keep throwing him the ball and see what happens. Whichever player is hot gets the rock. I think Franklin is very important to open up the offense; he makes the defense cover more of the field instead of just doubling up on Sutton.
MHR – This is going to be the Broncos’ biggest test so far but may be one of their toughest opponents all season. How do the Broncos attack this very balanced Chargers team to get them out of sync so Denver can win a “home” game in LA?
WesternAZbroncosfan44: The team in all three phases of the game needs to play every down like it’s going to be their last. This Broncos’ team has Super Bowl dreams. The only way they are going to get there is by beating good teams and winning the games you are supposed to win. I am worried about the loss to the Colts. I hope it doesn’t get in the way later. LA is playing good ball right now. We need to play much better as a team.
Predictions
Stats for BO NIX? 19 /25, 250 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Stats for each Broncos RB? Dobbins 18/100 yards, 1 TD; Harvey 10/72 yards, 1 TD
Number of yards receiving/TDs for the receivers? Sutton 6 for 88yards, 1 TD; Franklin 8 for 115yds, 1 TD; Mimms 3 for 20 yards; Trautman 2 for 17 yards.
How many points for Lutz this week? 7
How many missed FGs for Lutz this week? Fingers crossed, 0
Number of sacks to Justin SHerbert? 4
Broncos player with the most tackles? Hufanga 10
Who gets the first sack of the game for the Broncos? Zach Allen
Who gets the most sacks? Jonah Elliss
How many INTs/FF/FR for the Chargers D? 1 / 0
How many INTs/FF/FR for the Broncos D? 1 / 1 / 1
How many penalties between the two teams? 15
How many “leverage” penalties called in the NFL in Week 3? 1! on the Broncos so the refs can be consistent
Final score? Broncos 24, Chargers 21
The Favorites
Favorite Broncos win ever? It’s a tie for me – 1977 AFC championship game versus Oakland or Super Bowl XXXII. Both games made my grandfather cry for joy. He hated Oakland and his beloved Broncos made it to the dance by beating them. In Super Bowl XXXII, his words after the final gun are permanently planted in my memory – “the bums finally did it!”
Favorite Peyton Manning win? Super Bowl 50. Thank you, Jim Irsay!
Favorite John Elway win? Every time he won!
Team you love to beat the most in the AFC West? Used to be the team that can’t stay in one place…now it has become the BBQ boys east of Denver.
Coach you despise most in the NFL? Pete Carroll
Team you hate to lose to the most in the rest of the AFC (outside AFC West)? Baltimore Ravens
NFC team you could cheer for in the Super Bowl? Detroit Lions
NFC team you’d want to face more than any other in the Super Bowl? Dallas or NY Giants. I despise them both.
Toughest game on the schedule? Philadelphia Eagles
Favorite Broncos player on the current roster? Hufanga or Surtain – I like them both.
Favorite Broncos player of all time, not named John Elway? Floyd Little, they don’t make men like him anymore.
Favorite Broncos Hall-of-Famer? Randy Gradishar
Favorite new guy/rookie on the team? RJ Harvey
Food/Snack you have to eat on game day? Bacon done on the Traeger grill and using them as chips for my habanero salsa.
Favorite game analyst/commentator? Dave Logan…
Favorite sports cliché? “That’s why you play the game!”
Who is on your Broncos Mt. Rushmore? Floyd Little / John Elway / Karl Mecklenberg / Louis Wright
Give me one word to describe the season so far? Better
Give me one word to describe your hope for the rest of it? Believe
How did you become a Broncos fan?
I was forced into going to games (lol) with my grandfather at Mile High Stadium. My three older brothers were in trouble a lot, so my grandfather would ask my dad who could go. I went to a lot of games with him, and he taught me all about football.
I remember Craig Morton threw an interception, and the whole section stood up as my grandfather walked to our sideline to call Morton a lot of words I hadn’t heard before (my grandfather was the loudest). He told Morton to go back to Dallas, with a few dirty words inserted! He would always tell me not to let my grandma know when he cursed out loud due to bad play by his beloved Broncos.
I miss that man a lot. That was the beginning of my love for the Broncos.
