Broncos Fall to Niners: The Good, Bad & Ugly
In a 21-20 loss to the San Francisco 49ers that can best be described as turbulent, the Denver Broncos showed substantial improvement since their first preseason outing a week prior. Still, a few curious coaching decisions were made in crunch time, and questions about players on the bubble loom.
While new head coach Sean Payton imagines the Broncos as a sleek race car, for now, it's looking more like a fixer-upper — with a bumpy road ahead and a motor dripping with oil. With that said, let's dive into Denver's preseason Game 2 with the good, bad, and ugly.
The Good
Offensive Line
The unit brought a sense of purpose, granting Russell Wilson ample time and space to show us glimpses of the old magic. It's apparent that the 'Wilson Road to Redemption Tour' is officially underway.
Wilson exhibited true mastery of the offensive plays, proving yet again that age is just a number when you can release the ball at lightning speed and scamper like a youngster to get those elusive first downs. Complimenting Wilson's resurgence, the offensive line was occasionally a fortress, making room for the running backs
Prolific Run Game
Javonte Williams' return from what would be a career-ending injury for many was a sight for sore Broncos eyes. But undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin shined, dashing through defenses and scoring a pair of touchdowns. McLaughlin booked his ticket on the 53-man roster.
Productive Pass Rush
On the other side, though conceding a field goal, the Broncos' defense brought the heat to the Cardinals. Jonathon Cooper's exceptional play in these preseason games ensures he is on a path to being named a starter, while two other veterans got in on the sack action in San Fran, including Randy Gregory and Zach Allen.
Takeaways
When a team wins the turnover battle but loses the game, it doesn't happen often. But it was encouraging to see the Broncos take the ball away from the Niners three times and not give it away once.
The Bad
Wide Receivers
But, ah, the pendulum of preseason fortune swings both ways. The Broncos' wide receivers seemed to be in a generous mood, gifting penalties galore that effectively halted any momentum.
Vance Joseph's Unit Collapses... Again
Speaking of momentum, or a lack thereof, it's hard to fathom the Broncos, albeit third-string, defense allowing last-minute scores in consecutive weeks. Joseph has his work cut out to ensure the third-string defense doesn't crumble when the stakes are high, many of whom face long odds to even make the practice squad.
And let's not forget the almost comedic display of miscommunication leading to a surplus of players on the field. It's preseason, but really, fellas?
The Ugly
Inability to Sustain Momentum
For a coach looking to build a fortress of winning culture, these losses, even in pre-season, are like termites. While starting strong, the Broncos' defense seemed to wane in the final stretch. And the offense seemingly swapped its V8 engine for a tricycle coming out of halftime. Not the kind of energy Broncos fans were expecting.
Coach Payton is at the wheel, trying to navigate the hurdles that come with a rebuild. But with the Broncos' wide receiver corps and coaching staff seemingly driving in the opposite direction, they might soon find themselves in Principal Payton's office.
Trust me, that's one detention they won't enjoy. As the gears of the Broncos machine grind, let's hope they can shift into higher gears as the regular season approaches. Because if not, it will be a long, bumpy ride.
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