Hello Broncos Country. We’re all aware of the misery Broncos Country has endured as Johnny Raincloud has been so gracious to remind you. But, the Broncos have reeled off three wins in a row. Two against quality opponents on the road. This feels different. Different than the malaise we’ve suffered over the past eight years. It feels different but as usual I’m here to put things into perspective.
In the national media, the Broncos and playoffs have been mentioned in the same sentence. They can, with help, make the playoffs. If they continue to win games, we’ll dive into the scenarios but for now, let’s examine where the team is because it’s tenuous at best.
The Broncos’ defense is playing lights out. They’ve allowed only 16.7 points per game over the last four weeks. That’s #1 in the league in that span. It’s been an amazing transformation for that unit after the debacle they endured in week 3. Here’s where reality sets in. The offense is still not good. They’ve been efficient but not great. Especially Russell Wilson. They are running the ball as promised by Sean Payton when he arrived in Denver. But there are deficiencies that can’t be ignored for long. Russell Wilson is holding the ball too long and the offensive line is still not very good protecting the passer. Courtland Sutton is obviously the top weapon but other players must get involved and gain the trust of Russell Wilson and Sean Payton. A strong 3-headed rushing attack led by Javante Willians is paramount. Other than some missed PATs and FGs, the special teams units have been much improved from previous years. Congrats to Special Teams Player of the Week winner Marvin Mims. Get him the ball on offense I say.
It’s a pleasure to talk more about football these days. The Broncos will face off with the red-hot Minnesota Vikings in Prime Time. They are winners of five straight games despite having suffered devastating injuries at the QB position and are starting their third QB. Two weeks ago, Minnesota QB Joshua Dobbs, acquired by trade, had been in town for 36 hours and he finished and won a game without knowing any of the plays. Dobbs is a dynamic and mobile player and he’s electrified their offense. Dobbs is an interesting story and he could just as easily design space craft as play QB in the NFL. Their defense is much improved over last season and Russell Wilson will have to be quick to get rid of the ball.
Again, this feels different. After an absolutely, ugly start to the season, the Broncos are becoming more relevant. They got lucky last week but they are learning how to finish and win football games. It’s still a bit ugly and I’m anxious to see if the offense can become more dynamic and produce big plays. As I see it, a foundation has been laid. The possibility to build on it is palpable. As I’ve stated in the past, Russell Wilson is never going to play up to his ridiculous contract. He’s a game manager at present but he’s not making mistakes. The numbers aren’t prolific but Russ is a top 10 QB in the league right now. However, it’s hard to imagine Russ as “the future” of the franchise. For now, let’s buckle up and see if this team continues to rise and win more games. Beating the Vikings at home will be a good start. Raincloud out!
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