Are the Denver Broncos a Legitimate Playoff Team or Just Overhyped Pretenders? Here’s What We’ve Learned So Far
The vibes in Denver could not be worse following Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts. It was demoralizing to watch the win slip away as Indy marched into Denver territory to set up a 60-yard game-winning field goal. When Colts kicker Spencer Shrader missed wide right as time expired, it felt like Denver had escaped. But then a yellow flag appeared. A leverage penalty on linebacker Dondrea Tillman gave Shrader another opportunity to kick the game-winner, this time from 15 yards closer. He hit the ball dead center through the uprights.
Don’t make the mistake of blaming Tillman alone for the outcome of this game. This was a team loss. Bo Nix played nearly perfect football before throwing an untimely fourth-quarter interception. The defense got carved up, allowing over 300 passing yards and 150 rushing yards (per ESPN). And kicker Will Lutz missed a crucial 42-yarder on Denver’s final drive. Not only was it heartbreaking, but it could also come back to haunt the Broncos in the AFC West race and wild-card chase.
Now 1-1, Denver faces a grueling three-game gauntlet against the Chargers, Bengals, and Eagles. There are currently more questions than answers with this team, but here’s what we’ve learned so far.
Bo Nix Is the Franchise Quarterback
Nix showed resilience, bouncing back from an underwhelming Week 1 performance, throwing for 206 yards and three touchdowns (per ESPN). He displayed an improved command of the offense, making multiple audibles at the line and spreading the ball to 10 different receivers. Nix is growing week to week, and it’s fair to believe he will continue to develop into the elite signal-caller Sean Payton envisioned. More consistency and fewer turnovers will be critical as he leads this offense through the rest of the season.
Nik Bonitto Has Arrived
Bonitto is becoming one of those players who pop off the screen every snap. He can beat offensive linemen with a wide variety of pass rush moves and possesses the power, speed, and bend every edge rusher covets. When Denver’s secondary provides sticky coverage and forces quarterbacks to hold the ball for even a second longer, you can almost guarantee Bonitto will be in the backfield applying pressure.
Denver Has a Rising Star at Wide Receiver in Troy Franklin
Outside of Denver, few fans know the supporting cast around Nix beyond Courtland Sutton. That is about to change. 2nd year receiver Troy Franklin has carried his strong preseason into the regular season and is quickly becoming one of Nix’s go-to targets. He has 12 receptions on 15 targets for 133 yards through two weeks (per ESPN). The rapport with his former Oregon teammate is beginning to open eyes across the league, and it should continue to grow as their development continues.
Weeks 3–5 Will Define This Team
You can chalk up Denver’s inconsistent play through the first two weeks to rust or even it being a pseudo-extension of the preseason, but the time for excuses is over. The rubber is about to hit the road.
The Broncos are scheduled to travel to Los Angeles to face the Chargers, who look like one of the league’s best teams after taking down the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1. After that comes a matchup against the Bengals, though Cincinnati could be without PFF second-team All-Pro quarterback Joe Burrow, then it’s off to Philadelphia to face the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles in Week 5.
This stretch of games will expose the Broncos for who they truly are.
Will Sean Payton, Bo Nix, and the defense rise to the occasion and prove the Broncos are a legitimate playoff contender, or will they crumble under the weight of offseason hype and expectation? The next month of football will provide the answer.