Seven questions about the Broncos, one for each win I’m projecting.
Question: Why aren’t the Broncos considered a playoff team?
Answer: They play in the tough AFC West, led by Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers. They have a tough out-of-division schedule (NFC North and the intriguing AFC South) and they have a stretch in November/December of four road games in five weeks. But the main reason is their lack of depth. The Broncos will be a team that hangs tough for the first half of the season before attrition sets in and a slide follows.
Q: That would mean four consecutive years out of the playoffs. How rare is that around these parts?
A: It would be only the second time since the Broncos first made the playoffs in 1977 that they missed the postseason in at least four consecutive years. The other stretch is five (2006-10). This current drought follows a streak of five consecutive division titles. The key, of course, is quarterback play. keeps on keeping on with the Chargers and the Chiefs struck gold with league MVP Patrick Mahomes. The Broncos, as has been well documented, have been chasing their tail at the game’s most important position.
Q: The Broncos will never say they’re rebuilding, but what other adjective is applicable to their current play?
A: Letap call it a “reset” or “gap” or “bridge” year. A teardown wouldn’t go over well in this market, and doing so during outside linebacker ’s prime years would be foolish. A team doesn’t trade for a 34-year-old quarterback () and sign a 30-year-old safety () when they’re rebuilding. The Broncos should consider themselves one year away. One of coach ’s objectives this year is to find out which players don’t fit his philosophy/plan/future and then move on from them.
Q: Miller is a core player. Who else on the roster entering the year can be counted on by Fangio to be around for multiple years?
A: I won’t include first- or second-year players who start (like and ) because they’re under club control beyond 2019. As many as eight Week 1 starters are in the final year of their contract — cornerback , nose tackle Shelby Harris, receiver , center and defensive ends and plus injured fullback . Which players are scheme and financial fits? Additionally, players under contract for 2020 who need to perform are inside linebacker , right guard and tight end .
Q: Thatap a lot of names. Who does that leave besides Miller?
A: Safety Kareem Jackson, right tackle Ja’Wuan James and cornerback Bryce Callahan were signed in March so they are at least two-year players (2019-20). That emphasizes the importance of the 2018-19 draft classes developing into foundational players.
Q: Flacco is the latest to try and settle down the quarterback spot. What does individual success look like for him?
A: Before rookie Drew Lock’s right thumb injury on Aug. 19, he was doing enough to keep his spot for 16 games. If he stays healthy, Flacco should do enough to prevent any kind of chatter, even when the Broncos fall out of playoff contention in December. He is an upgrade over , for sure, because he will make more plays downfield and better involve his play-makers.
Q: Enough doom and gloom. At least the Broncos are better than the Raiders, right?
A: Yes. The Raiders added all kinds of veterans, but until proven otherwise, it looks like a bunch of mismatched parts. The Chargers will be interesting to watch because safety Derwin James (foot) is out indefinitely and he is a combination of /Earl Thomas from the Seattle “Legion of Boom” days. The Chiefs have Mahomes, but their defense is suspect until they prove otherwise. If the Broncos finish last, itap a complete failure. If the Chargers can’t make up for James’ loss and the Chiefs can’t stop anybody, maybe then the Broncos can squeeze into the AFC wild-card picture.
