3 Keys to a Broncos Victory Over Packers
Misery loves company.
The old saying couldn’t be truer as Denver Broncos fans are begrudgingly forced to endure the worst start in franchise history dating back to 1964. The 1-5 Broncos are reeling from their 16th consecutive loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
On Sunday, Sean Payton’s disgruntled squad of mercenaries will attempt to earn its first home win of the season against the 2-3 Green Bay Packers. Reports continue to swirl that the Broncos are fielding phone calls from potential trade suitors looking to pick the Mile High bones ahead of the NFL trade deadline on October 31.
Instead of winning or embracing a culture of accountability, the only consistent thing that Denver has done on a weekly basis is make the news for all the wrong reasons. From starters slinging personal attacks at Broncos legends to picking fights with commentators in pre-game primetime coverage, this team is engulfed in dysfunction as the losses have stacked up.
Broncos Country has been left to wonder what to make of this pathetic performance six weeks into the regular season and anticipate blockbuster trades ahead of Halloween. Fans have just about given up on this team, and unless the Broncos plan on earning them back with determined heart and victories, the dark days will continue to lurk in the Mile High City.
It starts with making things right on Sunday against the Packers. Let's break down how the Broncos can earn their first victory in front of the home crowd this season.
Conjure Some Mile High Magic at MHH Meet & Greet
Let’s be honest and accept that the Broncos are going nowhere this year, as approximately one-third of the regular season is in the books, and they have just one win under their belt. Fans are fed up with the same old, uninspired, drama-filled roster that earns losses in new and pathetic ways each week.
But Broncos Country is loyal.
While some folks are selling their tickets and looking for entertaining things to do with their usual game-day allotted leisurely time, Mile High Huddle will be showing out, and it's the perfect remedy to soothe your Broncos' woes. The annual MHH Meet & Greet is happening on Sunday.
The MHH festivities start at 11 a.m. MDT at Empower Field at Mile High in Lot E of the tailgate. Come visit, co-miserate, debate, and talk football with all of your favorite MHH podcast hosts and fellow community members. Look for the big, blue MHH tent and high-flying flags in Lot E prior to kickoff, and let’s have some fun!
Since 2014, MHH has brought Broncos fans daily in-depth coverage without subscription fees. MHH also offers podcast coverage seven days a week, including morning and weekend shows. Last season, 18.3 million Broncos fans read our articles in addition to the million-plus podcast downloads and 36 million minutes of watch time on YouTube.
The annual MHH Meet & Greet offers our increasingly growing community of supporters within Broncos Country the unique opportunity to interact with our digital talent covering the team and NFL draft in print and on the airwaves. The annual event, organized by founder Chad Jensen, will provide fans with a fun, family-friendly pre-game experience unlike any other on game day in Denver.
It's worth mentioning that over the years, the Broncos are undefeated in the weeks featuring a MHH Meet & Greet, so join me this Sunday at the MHH Meet & Greet, and let’s show those cheeseheads how to tailgate!
Let Russ Cook — Even If the Meal Isn't for Denver
In my latest takeaways from Denver's abysmal outing in Kansas City, I declared that I'm out on Wilson as the current and future franchise quarterback. Wilson's sub-mediocre performance since arriving in Denver has led to a losing record of 5-16, while head coach Sean Payton remains winless at home, with a lone victory on his Year 1 resume as leader of the Broncos.
The Broncos will need a much better version of Wilson if they want a chance at victory this Sunday against the Packers, and it could be a chance to showcase him with the hopes of luring another team into a trade. On the fifth day of the 2024 league year, the Broncos will owe a $37 million fully guaranteed contract to Wilson, who inked a groundbreaking five-year, $245 million extension in September 2022.
It’s fair to theorize that Payton will likely move on from Wilson and his massive contract prior to the fully guaranteed date next spring due to his losing performance and lack of meaningful leadership. Desperate times often call for desperate measures.
In a league where quarterbacks rise and fall each season, there could be a sliver of a chance that a signal-caller-needy team picks up the phone to request Wilson’s services. Before that can happen, Russ needs to be put into a favorable position for him to prove he can still offer something to a team.
Let the always positive, never negative, former Super Bowl-winning quarterback run the show with the plays that he likes, and make him successful. It’s no longer about the team’s success because this is a collective group of immature, selfish, and entitled professional athletes.
Even if Wilson has a solid outing against the Packers, who have a top-20 defense, it won’t be easy to unload Russ’ contract on another club. Then again, it’s also important to remember that new deals and amendments can potentially be made, as in annals of the NFL, teams have moved heaven and earth to execute what were perceived as impossible deals.
Let Russ cook his own meal against the Packers on Sunday, and let’s see if another team is willing to request his services on the trade block.
Limit Packers Rookie TE
It feels like the Broncos have the innate ability each week to spotlight some of their opponents’ lesser-known players. This week, it’ll likely be Packers rookie tight end Luke Musgrave, who's almost sure to find success against Vance Joseph’s putrid defense.
The 6-foot-6, 254-pounder was drafted in the second round out of Oregon State and is the nephew of former Broncos quarterback and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. In five games, Musgrave has logged four starts with 18 receptions for 159 yards (8.8 avg.), five first downs, and a 78.3 catch percentage.
The Oregon native previously battled a concussion earlier this season and is expected to be more involved in a Green Bay offense led by QB Jordan Love in the wake of the team's 17-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football.
Musgrave currently ranks third on the team in targets (23) and second in receptions (18) despite not scoring a touchdown this season. The majority of his utilization has been streaky in short-yardage scenarios, but Musgrave’s athleticism and size suggest that he’ll get targets in the middle of the field against Denver.
Joseph’s defense surrendered nine receptions for 124 yards to Travis Kelce last week, and the Packers will likely attack the always-open middle of the Broncos' secondary, which is ranked dead last as a passing defense. I’m not suggesting that Musgrave is the second coming of Kelce, but don't be surprised if the Packers rookie looks like a Pro Bowler against this Broncos defense.
The Broncos are the ‘get-right’ game for opposing teams. When good-to-average teams are stumbling to find their way, they get themselves right back on track after a match against Denver.
All signs indicate that the Packers will fly back to Wisconsin feeling exponentially better about themselves, courtesy of a defense that has been derisively dubbed the ‘Orange Slush' in the wake of a historically bad start to the 2023 season.
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