The Broncos are 2-0 and play solid football during the first weeks of the season. With their home opener just around the corner, the team have turned their attention to the New York Jets and an opportunity to start 3-0.
However, I will take this opportunity to weigh in on the start of the season, what the Broncos offense looks like, what lies ahead for Denver and much more.
With that, let’s move on to your questions.
To ask a question for a future mailbag, click here or send me a tweet at @AricDiLalla.
Are the Broncos making sure they don’t overlook the Jets? – @ Broncocountry81
I’m not too worried about it. First, I think the Broncos realize the importance of getting this win in the grand scheme of the season. They also know what it’s like to lose games, and I don’t think anyone has forgotten that. As Melvin Gordon III said last week after the team won in Week 1, “If you want to motivate yourself, take a look at last year’s record.” And as Teddy Bridgewater said of the success on Wednesday, “don’t take the cheese, it’s poison.” All any player who was here in 2017 needs to do is remember a “Monday Night Football” game against the Giants, when Denver was a double-digit favorite and lost by 13 points. It should be very motivating. The Broncos should also be motivated for their home opener. Head coach Vic Fangio spoke to the team after the two wins about how Empower Field at Mile High should be electric for Week 3. I guess the Broncos are going to ride that wave of emotion on Sunday against New. York.
Is the Broncos offense ready for the big games to come? Weeks 4-8? – @DenverBroncosFR
This is definitely the next big test for this group. The Denver offense is seventh for total yards, fifth for rushing, 11th for passing and 13th for scoring offense. They also returned the ball once. However, as the level of competition increases, they will have to clean up some things. Denver gave up a few extra sacks and the team ranks 23rd in the red zone and third in attack. These areas can be deciding factors in a close game, and the Broncos can hopefully take a step in the right direction against the Jets. Here’s one thing that makes me believe the Broncos offense is poised for close games against tough opponents: Over the past few years, while the Broncos offense wasn’t playing well, it persisted throughout the game. ; with Bridgewater, the Broncos were able to bounce back quickly from bad practices and not let them pile up. This bodes well for Denver as the team advance.
Special Team Kick Coverage: How Can the Broncos Improve? We allow big returns almost every game. – @JulioGil
The Broncos’ coverage issues have been limited to kickoffs so far, as Denver actually ranks first in the average punt returns allowed. The pitches weren’t long enough – the team’s 43-yard average ranks 28th – but coverage in that zone wasn’t an issue. Kicks off, as we saw last week, are a different story. The Broncos are committed to their cover units as they traded for Jonas Griffith and recovered Mike Ford on waivers ahead of the season. Special teams coordinator Tom McMahon also addressed the need for Brandon McManus to add suspension time to his kickoffs so the cover unit can make their way onto the pitch. The easiest way to prevent comebacks, however, may be to pass the ball through McManus into the end zone as often as possible.
How much has the offense improved in 2 games compared to the last two years in all areas? -Brandon W.
It’s very early days, so let’s take it all with a grain of salt, but here’s how the Broncos offense currently compares to where the team finished in 2019 and 2020:
Points per game: 17.6 (28 2019); 20.2 (28th, 2020), 25.0 (13th, 2021)
Yards per pass per game: 194.7 (28 2019); 215.7 (26th, 2020); 278.5 (11, 2021)
Ground yards per game: 103.9 (20 2019); 119.9 (13th 2020); 130.5 (5th 2021)
Bags allowed per match: 2.6 (16th, 2019); 2 (13th, 2020); 2.5 (21, 2021)
Turnover per game: 1 (6th, 2019); 2 (32nd, 2020); .5 (2nd, 2021)
Percentage of red zone: 47.6% (28 2019); 53.3% (27th, 2020); 44.4% (23, 2021)
Percentage of third down: 31.7% (30th, 2019); 36.7 (26, 2020); 34.6% (23, 2021)
As you can see, the Broncos’ points per game and totals have increased significantly and turnovers have decreased significantly. If Denver can improve in the red zone and at third base, this offense should be good enough to win a lot of games.
Do you see us at 8-1 / 7-2 during the week off? I think we are capable – @deejaytimnice
With the way the Broncos are playing right now, anything is possible. They play solid defense and Teddy Bridgewater leads an offense that ranks fourth in DVOA. When I look at the schedule, I don’t see a game the Broncos can’t win. After the Jets, the Broncos host the Ravens, fly to Pittsburgh, host the Raiders, fly to Cleveland for a short week, host Washington, fly to Dallas and host Philadelphia. While the Broncos are unlikely to go through this entire stretch without a loss, I imagine they can win even more. To be on track for a playoff berth, I imagine Denver needs to be 7-3 on the off week. It certainly seems doable.