Denver Broncos Reaction Week 2

On a mild September Sunday afternoon, the 2019 Denver Broncos suited up for their first home game, the opener, the big one. The supposed bounce back game ended with a roller coaster of emotions, and a very familiar onset of disappointment. Denver had lost. As unexpectedly as we could have won, the game was ripped from our grasp. During the course of the game, I saw some positives, and I saw some negatives. However, compared to recent years, these Denver Broncos will be just fine. I am going to put on my best Aaron Rodgers impersonation, telling my fellow Bronco countrymen and women to R-E-L-A-X.

The Negatives

Well, the first and foremost negative is that the Denver Broncos lost the game to the Chicago Bears. Garret Bolles in particular is who id like to focus on. In reality, the Joe Flacco led offensive unit looked good, seemingly always having possession around midfield and driving, when a familiar flag streaks from the sideline. Holding. On the Offense. Number 72. It was a plague, always guaranteeing a failed drive. Bolles was flagged 4 times for holding. This cannot happen any longer.

Because of the offensive unit stalling most of the time due to these flags, at the end of the third quarter it was Broncos 3, Bears 13. The other glaring negative, the defense once again came away empty handed. No turnovers forced. No sacks. All in all, when it was all said and done the final score read Bears 16 Broncos 14. I myself was at the game and feelings of elation quickly evaporated into emptiness. The Denver Broncos should have won this game. Everything was right there. A signature come from behind win masterminded by Fangio and something that maybe could be looked at as a rallying cry for these 2019 Denver Broncos. Instead, the literal opposite happened. However fear not Broncos fans! For as many negative things that I witnessed there were bright spots to the loss as well.

The Positives

The number one thing that week 2 taught me watching this version of the Denver Broncos is that this team is different than the Vance Joseph led squad. This team has fight in them. Being down 13-3 against a great defense, these Denver Broncos never gave up. They ended up taking the lead with 30 seconds left in the game. Emmanuel Sanders beat Kyle Fuller for the two point conversion, the same cornerback that picked Flacco off the last time the Broncos threatened. As Sanders capped off an efficient drive, Mile high exploded.

30 seconds left to seal the improbable comeback, the Bears got one last shot. Due to an unfortunate roughing the passer penalty on Bradley Chubb and a lack of communication in the secondary, the Bears were suddenly in field goal range. Bears kicker Eddy Pineiro clinched it. This game was close.

Adjustments

Keep in mind that these Broncos are two games into learning a completely different system on both the offensive and defensive sides. Despite adjusting to the new systems Denver put themselves in a solid position to win this football game, against a probably playoff bound Bears squad. This being said, OC Scangarello’s second game called ever looked better than his first. Going up against one of the NFL’s top tier of defenses in the Bears, Flacco tossed the rock for almost 300 yards to go along with a tough goal line interception and one touchdown. Combined Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay showed bursts of explosiveness. They are both transitioning from the cut and go power scheme of the past to more of a zone approach. Give it time. They looked more explosive against the Bears as the game moved on, and that front 7 is no joke folks.  If Garret Bolles stops shooting himself in the foot, and with the defense supposedly getting CB Bryce Callahan back, they just need to play to their potential.

The Verdict

The Broncos will be just fine. As a long time follower of the team, this loss I felt good about. This loss I could take. There was a swagger to this team. Hopefully this will be the fire starter.

Week 3. On to Green Bay.

Make sure to join us at our sports forums. Follow me on twitter @JoelJames15