For the first time since 2016, the Broncos are 3-0 to open the season. But is it too early to anoint our boys in orange and blue to the NFL’s upper echelon?
Yes, Denver crushed the visiting Jets, 26-0, in its home opener. But some national analysts are skeptical of the team’s hot start due to the fact that their three opponents have combined for a 0-9 record.
Beating Lamar Jackson and the 2-1 Ravens on Sunday would certainly remedy much of their concerns. The Broncos have a slight edge in oddmakers eyes as a 1½-point favorite.
Here’s a look at how various national experts rated the Broncos in their power rankings entering Week 4:
Bleacher Report (No. 9) | Last week: No. 12
“In 2021, the Broncos will leave the first calendar month of the season undefeated after dominating an overmatched Jets team to move to 3-0 for the year. … Marshmallow time is over, as three of Denver’s next four opponents sport winning records. But at least one of our analysts sees a path for Denver to keep the momentum to keep going.” .
CBS Sports (No. 10) | Last week: No. 12
“At 3-0, they’ve beaten three teams without a win, which makes it hard to evaluate how good they are. We know how good the defense is, that’s for sure,” Pete Prisco writes. .
ESPN (No. 13) | Last week: No. 24
“Teddy Bridgewater has been what a team with a potentially elite defense needed — a calming, prepared and opportunistic passer who can close out drives and avoid turnovers. Yes, the Broncos’ first three opponents are now 0-9, but the Broncos won those games by 14, 10 and 26 points. Bridgewater leads the league in completion percentage, is seventh in average length of completion and is fifth in passer rating. He already has become a leading voice in the locker room. And most importantly for a team that led the NFL in both giveaways overall as well as interceptions last season, he has not turned the ball over,” Jeff Legwold writes. .
NFL.com (No. 12) | Last week: No. 13
“Sure, the Broncos’ undefeated start has come at the expense of also-ran squads that are a combined 0-9 through three weeks, but let’s give credit where credit is due: Vic Fangio has this team playing well on both sides of the football. The soft schedule is undeniable, but so too is the quality tape Denver has put out for three weeks. Fangio’s balanced defense continued to feast on the top of the 2021 NFL Draft, shutting down No. 2 pick Zach Wilson one week after beating up on No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence. The D’s dominance has put Teddy Bridgewater and the offense in good position for three weeks. A Week 4 matchup against the Ravens should present a greater challenge all around,” Dan Hanzus writes. .
Sporting News (No. 17) | Last week: No. 21
“The Broncos didn’t need much from Teddy Bridgewater to take care of the winless Jets, following their comfortable wins against the winless Giants and winless Jaguars. Denver is playing well overall and gets a nice real test vs. Baltimore next week,” Vinnie Iyer writes. .
Sports Illustrated (No. 12) | Last week: No. 14
“The Broncos haven’t just squeaked by those teams; they’ve soundly beaten them, including last week’s dominant shutout. That’s because of Bridgewater’s calming influence and underrated right arm. That’s because Von Miller looks to have returned to the pass-rushing perch he held a few years ago, as one of the league’s most dominant sack artists. The Broncos are well-built, and despite a tough upcoming slate — Baltimore, at Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, at Cleveland — should challenge for a playoff slot this season.” .
USA Today (No. 16) | Last week: No. 17
“It’s tempting to rate them higher – and they deserve credit for their 3-0 start – it’s just their three opponents so far are a collective 0-9,” Nate Davis writes. .
Yahoo Sports (No. 10) | Last week: No. 9
“Teddy Bridgewater has been fantastic. But like everything else related to the Broncos, we don’t know how much to believe. When you’ve beaten three 0-3 teams, it’s hard to tell. But the good news is the Broncos are winning games they should. That’s not a given in the NFL,” Frank Schwab writes. .
