Reeling Bills host the Broncos on MNF.

Hello Broncos Country. Well, the Broncos have slayed a dragon. They got their biggest win since winning Super Bowl 50. The trade deadline came and went and the Broncos stood pat on the current roster. There were offers for certain players but the front office didn’t budge. Even the oft maligned Jerry Juedy was retained and surprisingly received praise from Sean Payton in the wake of the trade deadline.  

“He’s an important part and an important piece of what we’re doing. We think he’s dynamic.” Sean Payton said of Juedy. He’s second on the team in receptions with 27 for 336 yards and only 1 TD. Even in an anemic offense such as the Broncos’, he should have at least 4 or 5 TDs if he’s that important.

I watched the Broncos/Chiefs tilt for a second time as I often do. While the win is a monumental step forward, I was reminded of how pedestrian the Broncos offense is. A good offense would have dropped a 40 burger on the Chiefs. I digress and as the bravado of a key divisional win fades, I’ve had time to observe the Broncos’ situation from a 30,000-foot view. Let’s take a trip through my thoughts.

1. Russell Wilson and the Broncos’ offense are playing better but Russ is now a game manager. Running the ball is paramount and if they can’t, expect a loss. Sorry Russ. No cooking for you. Only snacks. Maybe a nice charcuterie.
2. It took 6 weeks for Vance Joseph to change defensive alignments and simplify the on-field communications with the players to achieve success. The Broncos have allowed only 11.3 points per game in their last three matchups and 28 total points in two games to the Chiefs. Very significant.
3. The Special Teams units are functioning more properly than in the recent past. K Wil Lutz has surprised us by not missing an extra point since week 1 and has made 13 of 15 FGs on the year.
4. The offensive line is still a work in progress. LG Ben Powers has improved in pass protection but RT Mike McGlinchey is a liability in that aspect. More on McGlinchey later. We haven’t heard “holding, #72” in a while so, Garrett Bolles is at least remaining anonymous for now.
5. The Broncos are still last in the AFC West.

The team raced off to Buffalo a day early in advance of the Prime-Time tilt with the reeling Buffalo Bills. The Bills have lost 2 of their last 3 games including a loss to the now 2-8 Patriots. However, Josh Allen leads the league in total TDs with 24. (18 passing, 6 rushing) He’s also tied for second highest interceptions with 9. Overall, the Bills’ defense is middle of the pack but they’ve only allowed a stingy 17.8 PPG this year. Von Miller will face his former team for the first time. He never really wanted to leave the Broncos and I expect him to play with a special intent. Von will line up across from RT Mike McGlinchey. The Broncos must find ways to help McGlinchey and double or triple team Von who is likely drooling at the opportunity to wreak havoc on Russell Wilson. McGlinchey was brought in as a run blocking specialist and until the last game, the Broncos ignored the prospect of being a “run first” team. Half of Broncos Country have the Broncos winning the rest of their games and going to the playoffs. Slow your roll. As I mentioned earlier, the offense, especially the passing game, is not that of a playoff caliber team. It seems possible to win at least 4 more games but it’s a tall task. It starts in Buffalo where one would assume that the 5-4 Bills feel they’ve under achieved. The Broncos have not won a game in Buffalo since 2007. The Bills are favored by 7. You know the rest. Raincloud out!