After further evaluation, I’m convinced we grade the Broncos offense too harshly.
There were plenty of gripes from fans and media after a tough Week 1 victory over the Ravens.
Peyton Manning is struggling, maybe he’s done. The offensive line can’t protect a fly. The running backs can’t gain a yard. Gary Kubiak’s system just doesn’t gel for anyone.
A wild comeback road victory over the Chiefs Thursday quieted some of the chatter, but concerns still lingered.
On a rare Sunday without Broncos football, I turned on the to see what I thought would be a game full of fireworks and points from two of the league’s better offenses.
Instead, both laid an egg. They combined for five turnovers and 26 penalties.
The Eagles, who have the most expensive backfield in the NFL, had their running backs total two yards on 15 carries. That wasn’t a mistype.
It makes C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman’s 21 carries for 61 yards Thursday look like Barry Sanders in his prime. Ok maybe not, but it’s not the end of the world.
Tony Romo didn’t lead his team to an offensive touchdown and was sacked three times through the two and a half quarters he was in the game.
The final sack fractured his left collarbone. And the Cowboys are supposed to have one of the best offensive lines in the league.
It made Peyton Manning’s three-touchdown performance Thursday look like the 2013 season opener against the Ravens.
Again, a little exaggeration. But the point here is take it easy. The Broncos are 2-0.
Yeah, the offense hasn’t been great. But, give it time to gel and maybe we shouldn’t grade them so harshly seeing what else is going on in the league.
You know who isn’t 2-0? The Seahawks, Eagles, Ravens, Lions and Saints. All of those teams are 0-2.
And all of those teams average more yards per game than the Broncos’ 259-yard average, which ranks last in the NFL.
Yeah, this offense doesn’t appear to be as good as last year. But, what if it doesn’t have to be?
The Broncos had one of the best offenses in the last three seasons, but it didn’t get them a ring. Maybe it’s all right to let the defense be the headline of the team.
Denver did win with quarterback John Elway throwing for only 123 yards.
CHEW ON THIS
• in the Broncos final drive Thursday.
• Bowlen family becoming
• Broncos offense improvement .
• An just ahead of their game against the Broncos on Sunday.
• A trio of 23-year-olds came up big in the Avs’ annual Burgundy-White scrimmage. NHL reporter Mike Chambers .
• The in overtime at the Rocky Mountain Showdown Saturday.
• Dallas’ offense is hurting. Bad. Dez Bryant was knocked out last week. Romo has a broken clavicle. Jason Witten sprained both ankles and his knee. Sporting News .
• Japan when it beat South Africa, 34-32, at the World Cup Saturday.
WATCH THIS
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had Saturday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Bill Murray turns 65 today. The actor has had a pretty good career . “Ghostbusters,” “Lost in Translation,” “Groundhog’s Day” — the latter of which his character .
Cameron Wolfe: cwolfe@denverpost.com or
Online producer Joe Nguyen contributed to this story.
