3 Duds, 2 Studs in Broncos' 31-21 Loss to Jets
Another week, another embarrassment for the Denver Broncos. The blame for this pathetic performance stretches to the top, as the New York Jets are the latest team to whip the Broncos at home.
Nathaniel Hackett gets his revenge, and the Broncos fall to 1-4 on the season with no end to the losing in sight. There were too many duds to list in this game, so here are the worst offenders.
Dud: Sean Payton | HC
The Broncos paid through the nose to land Payton, only to see that investment become a massive waste of capital. Payton talked all sorts of smack about the previous regime, only to lose to that man on the Mile High home turf.
Payton is the anti-Joe Namath. He can’t back up his big talk.
Payton hasn't been able to instill any mental toughness in this team as the Broncos continue to make one mistake after another. Furthermore, he called a horrific offensive game plan in the red zone that left many points on the field when the Broncos were rolling in the first half.
Payton followed that up with dumb play calls that stopped any momentum the Broncos gained. The bottom line is this: the massive investment in Payton has paid zero dividends.
Dud: Vance Joseph | DC
This spot in the duds list will likely have an open spot for Joseph until he has been relieved of his duties. His scheme is terrible, and it continues to make the most inept of quarterbacks look like All-Pros.
Once again, Joseph also couldn't call a game plan to stop the run, as Breece Hall became the next running back to gash the Broncos' porous defense. It's the laughingstock of the league.
Dud: Marvin Mims Jr. | WR
The star of the wide receiver corps so far had a disastrous afternoon. Mims fumbled a punt early in the game to stop the momentum that the defense created with a three-and-out on the opening drive, leading to three points for the Jets.
Mims then fumbled again on the stupid and cutesy reverse call (which should have never been called) to give the ball back to the Jets. He finished the game with a single catch for four yards and was not the impact player he's been this season.
Stud: Nik Bonitto | OLB
Bonitto came out on fire and looked like a one-man wrecking crew. He got two sacks right away and finished the game with two sacks, two tackles, and two tackles for a loss.
Unfortunately, Bonitto faded as the game wore on, but he has been a bright spot of improvement for this team. Most people were calling him a bust after his rookie season.
RELATED: 3 Brutal Takeaways From Broncos' Debilitating Loss to Jets
Stud: Jaleel McLaughlin | RB
The undrafted rookie continues to perform on gameday. McLaughlin had a good day despite the loss and is constantly one of the most potent weapons the Broncos have on offense.
The rookie rushed the ball nine times for 68 yards (7.6 avg) and added three catches for 21 yards and a touchdown. He has two more receiving touchdowns than first-round wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.
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