The Denver Broncos lost their season opening game against the Seattle Seahawks 26-20 on Sunday.
That news alone would not be enough to send Broncos Country into a tizzy.
It was THE WAY they lost.
Denver Broncos fans know dep in their hearts that patience is required this season. They are not only starting a rookie quarterback. They are also playing on a tilted field because of a $53 million dollar debt to former quarterback Russell Wilson. That salary cap hit really limited their ability to fortify this roster with more talent.
The problem is that rookie quarterback Bo Nix looked so good in the preseason, it was hard to not get at least a little bit excited.
However, Sunday was a reminder that the NFL preseason means absolutely, positively nothing.
Young Mr. Nix got a lesson on Sunday from a Seattle defense that made his NFL debut largely forgettable.
The Broncos offense struggled to maintain much continuity, going just 5/18 on third downs. Nix and the offense averaged a measly 3.3 yards per offensive play.
Maybe even more important, the Broncos squandered two Seahawks turnovers as well as two safeties.
The Denver defense opened the game by intercepting Seattle quarterback Geno Smith on just the second play of the game. Linebacker Alex Singleton picked off Smith at the Seahawks 41-yard line and returned it 23 yards to the Seattle 20.
The Broncos offense managed just three yards on three plays and were forced to settle for a Will Lutz 35-yard field goal.
In the second quarter, the Seahawks also gifted Denver a muffed punt on the Seattle 9-yard line. Once again, the offense sputtered and actually went backward before Lutz connected from 30 yards.
Denver led 13-9 at halftime, but in the second half the Seahawks took over. They scored 17 straight points and never looked back.
The Broncos committed far too many penalties (8 for 60 yards), Nix forced two rookie interceptions, and Denver receivers failed to help their young quarterback, dropping three crucial passes on a day when they needed to give him some help. The Denver defense gave up far too many rushing yards in the second half, and they couldn't force a late punt to give the ball back to the offense.
Still, there are reasons to feel good about this Denver team.
The Denver pass rush was formidable at times, sacking Smith twice and logging seven quarterback hits.
The Broncos are currently one of the youngest teams in the NFL and this will be a learning experience all season.
This team may have lost, but there was never any quit in them.
Which finally brings us to Nix. Yes, he had a rough debut. He wasn't the only one. Both Chicago's Caleb Williams and Washington's Jalen Daniels looked every bit as green as Nix on Sunday.
Yet, he did manage to lead the Broncos on a seven play 54-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter that ended with him scoring his first NFL touchdown.
Next week, the Broncos will host the Pittsburgh Steelers and an even better defense. it might be another tough outing.
There is no need for hand wringing. They sky is not falling.
Broncos Country now needs to adjust their expectations and look for growth from this young quarterback and this team.
No comments:
Post a Comment