The Denver Broncos got their first win of the season Sunday in a 16-9 win over the Texans. Broncos fans alike are happy that their team was able to get in the win category, but there certainly was a lot of frustration along the way.

Questionable Decisions

Any analysis of this game needs to address the elephant in the room, the coaching. I was willing to be patient with some potential first-game jitters in week 1, but now I’m worried it’s beginning to be a habit. On paper, Nathaniel Hackett got his first win as head coach of the Broncos. A good milestone all coaches must reach. However, anyone who watched this game knows that coach Hackett was doing everything he could to fumble this game away.

There is clearly an issue communicating on the field between coaching staff and players. Following last week’s tomfoolery on the final drive, the Broncos turned around and did the same thing a week later. There should never be a situation where a team is getting so many delays of game penalties that the crowd has to be chanting them to the offense so they get the play-off in time. While it is hilarious, I would prefer if my team was responsible enough to manage the clock that it wasn’t necessary.

The true capstone of mismanagement had to have been when the broncos sent out the punt return unit without a return man. How do you forget to send out the punt returner? That’s the only player that is 100% necessary to have on the field for that play!

With all this being said I do appreciate that Hackett is at least acknowledging that he needs to improve. Hackett was quoted in the post-game press conference saying “I mean, heck, I’d be booing myself. I was very frustrated.” (per Parker Gabriel).

It takes a lot of guts for a coach to go out there in front of the media and immediately after a game and take full responsibility for the mistakes. Lots of coaches around the league would try to put the blame elsewhere, but Hackett accepted it. Broncos fans have every right to be mad about how the game went, but they have to respect the way Hackett handles it. Hopefully, this means he will fix the issues quickly.

Offense

The offense has had my brain in a little bit of pretzel through 2 games. The Broncos are fully capable of making the right plays moving down the field, but as soon as the moment presents itself everything goes out the window. The red zone mishaps the Broncos have experienced to this point are unlike anything I have seen in the NFL. It’s like the offense is allergic to crossing that goal line, I don’t understand.

It was clearly an issue losing Jeudy and Surtain during the game. So criticisms of the offense do need asterisks, but not too big of one. Things weren’t amazing while they were healthy.

Javontae Williams did put on an absolute clinic running the ball. 15 attempts for 75 yards. He needs to be getting the ball way more than he is currently. Until teams prove they can stop him he needs more carries. Why he hasn’t been getting the ball in the red zone baffles me. It seems like the easy choice, but what do I know, I’m just an observer.

I still believe in this team. I think two games isn’t a big enough sample size to bury the Broncos. The tools are all there, the execution is just missing. Broncos fans just gotta be pateint.

———

Parker Gabriel’s USA Today article: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/broncos/2022/09/18/denver-broncos-get-ugly-win-over-houston-texans/10423047002/