3 Hard Takeaways From Broncos' 17-16 Loss to Raiders
Denver, CO. — Football returned to the Mile High City on Sunday, but it resulted in the Denver Broncos losing their seventh straight game to the Las Vegas Raiders, 17-16.
For the first time in a very long time, competitive and competent professional football graced the gridiron of Empower Field at Mile High, but it wasn’t good enough. After the Kansas City Chiefs lost on Thursday Night Football, the Broncos failed to capitalize, dropping their first divisional game of the 2023 season as the Raiders now sit atop the AFC West after Week 1.
The Broncos have failed to beat the Raiders since the team moved to Las Vegas from Oakland following the 2019 season. 10 of the last 14 games between these teams have been decided by a single digit, adding salt to an open wound.
But what did we learn from the Broncos' debut under Sean Payton? Is it going to be the same old story, or did we see anything in Week 1 that hints toward a brighter outcome this year?
Let's review my three takeaways coming out of the season opener.
Will the Real Russell Wilson Please Stand Up?
The destiny of the Broncos' season is dependent on the level of success that Wilson and Payton share. You win and lose as a team, so the saying goes, but Sunday's loss was not Wilson’s fault. The 12th-year pro finished 27-for-34 with 177 passing yards and two touchdowns with a QB rating of 108.0.
Wilson played a confident, calm, and collected style of football in front of a rowdy and excited sea of orange. His footwork has significantly improved from last season and was even better than I observed a couple of weeks ago in training camp, specifically on his three-step drops from under center and during handoffs. Wilson has clearly embraced the rapid level of decision-making this offense demands, which is predicated on being fast-paced and unpredictable.
But where Russ looked the most like his old Super Bowl-winning self was during his off-script plays that led to first downs and scoring plays. Throughout the game, Wilson improvised with off-platform throws and scrambles that bought receivers and tight ends the time to get open.
Instead of the ineffective and stale level of play that Broncos Country became distraught over last season, Wilson led his unit up and down the field with poise and grit, proving he’s one of the guys and a trusted leader on this team.
Based on what I've seen at training camp, I’ve been adamant in both print and on the airwaves that Wilson isn’t washed and has plenty of winning football left in him despite this ugly loss to open this season. So far, so good.
The QB has seemingly embraced Russ the football player rather than Russ the rockstar. The veteran isn’t the catastrophe that will spell disaster for this team after all, but the Broncos had better improve in other areas.
Javonte Williams isn’t Made of Glass
Williams tore three ligaments in his knee against the Raiders last year in Week 4, leaving many to wonder whether he’d ever return to form. It’s one thing to look good in training camp with veteran days and teammates who are protecting offensive playmakers from physical contact, but it’s a whole different conversation to see Williams pounding the rock in Week 1 without any hesitation, mimicking his powerful and aggressive signature style before last year’s injury.
The 23-year-old running back reintroduced himself to the NFL as he rushed for 52 yards on 13 attempts, averaging 4.0 yards per carry against the Raiders. He was also targeted as a receiver six times, catching four passes for five yards. While those stats are hardly indicative of winning football, it was relieving to know that he's healthy.
Not only did Williams’ legs appear to hold up against multiple defenders twisting and lunging at them, but ‘Pookie’ embraced contact, breaking multiple tackles and continually churning the pile and moving the chains. Samaje Perine spelled Williams as RB2 with eight rushes for 41 yards, while preseason darling Jaleel McLaughlin saw a few snaps as the Broncos officially debuted their new-look running back room.
There’s clearly some learning and adjusting still happening with the Broncos' offensive line, tight ends, and backs. As the offense continues to gain momentum and familiarity with each other, trust and instinctual decision-making will lead to efficiency and dynamic playmaking.
While I can appreciate the level of efficiency that Wilson and the Broncos' offense utilized in the passing game, I want to see more carries for Williams in the run game. He’s just now seeing what it’s like to run behind his new O-line. With Williams running defenders over and putting them on their backs in pass-pro sets, he’s screaming to get fed the football more.
Instead of trying to boost a Wilson renaissance with one throw after another, I want the Broncos to be a run-first, pass-second offense. Maybe it’s just the first game of the season, and the medical staff wanted to ease Williams into it and leave plenty of tread on the tires, but it felt like passing the football was the priority.
Of the Broncos' 22 total first downs, only five of them were by way of rushing, while total yards accumulated included 94 yards on the ground and 166 yards through the air.
I’m tired of wondering ‘what happens if’ when it comes to the Broncos' starting running back getting injured. Any player at any given position or time is susceptible to both minor and severe injuries, and living in fear is no way to get by, let alone play professional football.
If Williams says he’s good to rock and roll, then give him the rock more and let him rumble.
Underwhelming Homecoming for Vance Joseph
When Payton announced that he hired Joseph as defensive coordinator last February, Broncos Country was hardly excited.
This was the same Joseph who served as Broncos head coach, stumbled to an 11-21 record, and was fired after Year 2. But they say decent enough folks deserve second chances, and this time around, ‘VJ’ looks comfortable and excited to be leading Denver’s defense instead of the entire franchise.
In Week 1, Joseph’s defensive troops surrendered 17 points to the Raiders in a one-point loss. In addition to the close final score, it was odd to see both teams finish with the same number of first downs. How the two rivals got there was also exactly the same.
With each team totaling 22 first downs, the Broncos and Raiders each had five rushing first downs, 11 passing first downs, and six by way of penalties. Meanwhile, both squads went 5-of-11 on third down, and each scored two total touchdowns.
Bizarre.
It felt like there was a 'bend but don’t break' element to the Broncos' defense on Sunday. However, the number of first downs and yards surrendered was acceptable if it meant negating touchdowns or limiting field goals.
I can appreciate that Joseph had his troops in positions to keep fighting in a competitive game, but where were the Broncos' pass rushers? Denver failed to sack Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and he was only hit three times.
The lack of pressure allowed Jimmy G to operate freely for the majority of the game as he slung the football to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, who finished with nine receptions for 81 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Meanwhile, Vegas' star wideout Davante Adams was limited to six receptions for 66 yards and was under constant duress from Patrick Surtain II.
Payton chose Denver because the Broncos had the right ownership group, a franchise QB, and a talented defense. If that last part is true, Joseph should have some success with this group as his expertise lies in the secondary, dating back to his Colorado Buffaloes days.
It was nice to see that Joseph's defense was prepared and physical in terms of its level of play and the talent on display. But the Broncos need to see a dramatically improved level of pressure on the QB if this team is going to have a chance at winning football in the AFC West.
Adjustments also need to be made during the game when younger players are mismatched and being exploited by veteran QBs with playoff experience. Improving the sloppy penalties and self-inflicted wounds — from veterans like Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons — is a must.
In a close game that could’ve gone either way, the Broncos found themselves on the short end of the stick this week. Losing feels bad, plain and simple.
Instead of wallowing in self-pity, I’m interested to see if this Broncos squad responds to early adversity. Will the Broncos run from it or face it head-on?
We'll find out in Week 2.
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