Initial thoughts from Broncos’ 31-21 loss to the New York Jets in Week 5 at Empower Field at Mile High:
Snowcapped helmets: It’s time. Time to bring back the D. It just feels right. The flying Bronco had his time. And it was glorious. Four Super Bowl trips. Three Lombardi Trophies. John Elway’s helicopter run. Von Miller tugging on Superman’s cape. But it just isn’t the D. The Broncos’ Snowcapped helmets were a nice reminder of that Sunday, even if the all-orange pants and tops that accompanied them were a complete abomination. The old is new again, and it should be here to stay.
Feelin’ Jaleel: Five games in, there is no longer a debate. Jaleel McLaughlin is Denver’s most explosive running back, and getting him the ball 12-15 times a game should be a top priority. Head coach Sean Payton appeared to agree Sunday (at least early on). The undrafted free agent was the first running back on the field, and he had seven touches for 83 yards and a touchdown by halftime — marking the third time in four games McLaughlin has scored. If only he’d gotten a few more opportunities (five touches) in the second half.
Red zone woes: The Broncos lost this game in so many ways. But if you want to pinpoint one particular area that cost the Broncos dearly, it has to be their two trips inside the 10-yard line in the first half. All told, the Broncos ran six plays inside the Jets’ 10 over the first two quarters. Total yards gained: 6. Points left on the field: 8. Payton’s two third-and-goal calls? A Russell Wilson designed draw from the 5, and a Marvin Mims Jr. screen from the 8. And not one ball thrown into the end zone. Not great, Sean.
Not missing Gregory: There were so many reasons why it was a good idea to say goodbye to edge rusher Randy Gregory. First among them: This Nik Bonitto guy is pretty darn good at rushing the quarterback. The second-year pro out of Oklahoma registered two-plus sacks for the second Sunday in a row and was generally a nuisance off the edge. The one problem? The Broncos still don’t have a run stopper. And that isn’t getting fixed anytime soon — especially with tackle D.J. Jones now injured. Which means lots of long runs like the one Breece Hall ripped off in the third quarter.
Opportunity lost: The Jets did everything they could to hand the Broncos this game. Muffed punt? Yup. Woeful “Gold Zone” execution from offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s boys? The Jets were 0-for-5. Completely unnecessary throw — in Pat Surtain II’s direction no less — resulting in an ill-timed interception? Oh yeah, Hackett was playing the old hits. And yet, none of it mattered in the end. Payton and the Broncos still walked away losers to Jets QB Zach Wilson for the second time in a calendar year — both at home. If that isn’t an indictment of the current state of the franchise, we don’t know what is.
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