Gassers, quotable and a look ahead following the Broncos’ 15-10 loss to the Bengals in Week 15.
Gassers
Pat Shurmur
With the team’s playoff hopes on the line, the Broncos offense laid an egg. Shurmur’s play-calling was unimaginative and uninspiring, even considering the handicap of playing with backup quarterback Drew Lock for much of the second half. Javonte Williams (15 carries for 72 yards) should’ve been fed more. And Jerry Jeudy’s slump continues (no TDs this year, no catches on four targets Sunday).
Drew Lock
Lock came on for Bridgewater after the latter was carted off with a head injury in the third quarter. Lock finished 6-of-12 for 88 yards and a 25-yard touchdown pass to Tim Patrick, which temporarily put the Broncos ahead. But Lock’s critical fumble early in the fourth quarter cost the Broncos dearly. They were nine yards from re-taking the lead, but instead ended up with no points and a turnover.
Brandon McManus
McManus put the Broncos on the board with a 54-yard field goal in the second quarter, but his 51-yard attempt with 14 seconds left in the first half went wide right. That key miss allowed the Bengals to get the ball back, throw one deep pass and get a 58-yard field goal of their own. It was a six-point swing that proved critical later in the game as the Broncos needed a touchdown, not a field goal, to go ahead.
Quotebook
Vic Fangio on the offense’s struggles in the loss: “You’re not going to win many games scoring 10 points. We never found any rhythm, especially in our passing game.”
Fangio on rebounding from the loss: “We’re not (officially eliminated from the playoff chase), so we’re going to strap it up, have another good week of preparation and get ready for the (Raiders).”
Justin Simmons on the loss: “It’s a tough pill to swallow… Defensively, the glaring thing for me was no takeaways… This one hurts.”
Simmons on Joe Burrow’s 56-yard TD pass to Tyler Boyd in the third quarter: “The low part of our coverage got sucked up on the run fake… I have to be equal with (Boyd in coverage) to force him to the sideline. It was just poor execution all around.”
Up Next
Sunday at Raiders, 2:25 p.m.
Record: 6-7
Week 15 result: at Cleveland on Monday (game postponed due to COVID issues)
Coach: Rich Bisaccia (interim, 1st year)
About the Raiders: Las Vegas was able to weather distractions early in the year (Jon Gruden’s resignation, Henry Ruggs’ arrest and release) but the wheels have come off the cart. The Raiders lost five of their last six games, including a narrow defeat to Washington in Week 13 and a blowout at the hands of the Chiefs last week. A Broncos loss will likely officially eliminate Denver from playoff contention, as the team is clinging to slim hopes already following the loss to Cincinnati.
