The Mile Excessive Metropolis’s prolonged dry spell isn’t over but. With an opportunity to clinch a playoff berth for the primary time because the 2015-16 NFL season, the Denver Broncos (9-6) wilted within the second half and fell to the Los Angeles Chargers, 34-27. A wacky and uncommon fair-catch free kick dampened a scorching begin for Sean Payton’s group and portended a dismal ending to their Thursday Evening Soccer matchup.
The Broncos’ incapacity to attain a landing within the remaining half-hour of sport time (held to 2 subject targets), together with a regarding vulnerability in opposition to chunk performs, ends in them sliding again to the ultimate AFC Wild Card slot. They’re leaving the door ajar for the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and their Week 17 opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals.
Bo Nix performed respectably, finishing 29-of-40 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns, however he’s dissatisfied with how the offense executed popping out of halftime. The rookie quarterback can also be not downplaying the significance of subsequent Sunday’s sport in Paycor Stadium.
“No excuses,” Nix advised the media after the loss, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. “We received to maneuver the ball higher… We all know this subsequent one is crucial.”
Broncos can not lose their edge now
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Denver’s anticipate postseason soccer may finish with a win versus the Bengals (6-8), but it surely has points that should be addressed earlier than the pivotal showdown. The Broncos discovered early success in LA by trusting their working backs, which helped them rating touchdowns on their first three drives. Surprisingly, nonetheless, head coach Sean Payton veered away from the dashing sport within the second half. Selection is a necessary a part of any offensive technique, particularly one which includes a rookie signal-caller.
Though Bo Nix has proven outstanding development this yr, he nonetheless has loads to understand. Masking limitations in high-stakes competitors whereas additionally facilitating improvement is a demanding problem that few franchises can successfully overcome. Nonetheless, it’s a dilemma the Broncos and their followers are grateful to be confronted with throughout the remaining stretch of the marketing campaign.
Denver will replicate on its TNF missteps and devise a plan that may lastly get the franchise again to the postseason.