Broncos Need to Regroup Fast

The Broncos don't have much time to get it together after their loss to the Dolphins. They face the Chargers and Chiefs in the next 2 weeks. The Chargers lost a close one and will be steaming, and the Chiefs looked like they actually had a defense.

But Denver's loss was not as bad as the score looks today. It is easy to forget that it was only 13-3 after 3 quarters. The defense looked pretty good until the 4th quarter, and then they wore down after losing Champ Bailey. But don't read too much negative into the Denver defense, they got no help at all from the offense.

Many people will criticize Plummer for this loss, but that is unfair. He actually played a pretty good game. The real problems offensively were receivers dropping balls and the running game being shut down by a very good Miami defense.

Watching the game, I wondered how these Broncos receivers had convinced Jerry Rice to retire. I counted at least 5 passes dropped that should have been caught, all of them would have resulted in a first down and one would have been a touchdown. This also contributed to the defense being on the field too much and causing the defense to wear down in the 4th quarter.

Rod Smith was solid, but Lelie and the other wideouts and tight ends were not good. It shouldn't matter how hard or soft Jake Plummer throws the ball, they are paid to catch it. My son played on a team with the son of Steve Watson Broncos Receivers Coach) many years ago, and Watson told them at one point how to catch a ball properly and said that if you can get both hands on it, it is catchable. He needs to explain that Lelie, Watts, and Alexander.

The running game was also a disappointment. But Miami has always been good against the run. I suspect that the San Diego game will be a much more accurate gauge of the running game. If they struggle again, it could be a long season.

And what happened to improving in the Red Zone. Four chances, one touchdown, not good! They used Ron Dayne in those situations in the pre-season and he had good success. Why didn't they try it this time? This is a problem that MUST be fixed if the Broncos are to have a winning season.

It is only one game. The Broncos will play better as the season goes on. But a 3-game stretch against the Chargers, Chiefs, and Jaguars is really going to test this team. If they make the adjustments, they will be fine. If not, they will find themselves in a hole they can't get out of. The AFC has improved from last year, and it looks like 10-6 might be the cutoff for the playoffs. Denver can't afford any more games like this one.