If you stopped watching at halftime for some reason, yes, the Denver Broncos actually found a way to lose to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Broncos could not have played a better first half in jumping out to a 20-0 lead over the Vikings. But having to settle for some field goals on short fields kept it at a three-score game and the Vikings made the proper adjustments at halftime to make the game truly a tale of two halves.
With the loss, the Broncos drop to 3-7 on the season and will face the Buffalo Bills in another tough road test next week. Here are some takeaways from a brutal defeat.
1. The Broncos were on the wrong side of history
In the stat that no Broncos fan wants to hear, the Broncos became the first team in the last five seasons to give up a 20-point halftime lead.
Ninety-nine times had a team held a halftime lead of at least 20 points in the last five seasons and all 99 of those teams won the game. The Broncos were team No. 100 and they are now the one in 1-99.
2. If only the Broncos could learn to finish
The Broncos are 3-7 this season but could just as easily be 7-3 if there was some better execution in key moments. Losses against the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts could have all been wins if not for some crucial miscues.
Sunday’s result was much of the same as the team just couldn’t find a way to make a big play when it needed one. That will come, particularly with this kind of experience.
The Broncos’ record suggests they are a poor team, but there is plenty to be optimistic about. Vic Fangio is a first-year head coach and there are some great young weapons on the squad with which to build on.
3. Broncos’ ‘big’ receiving group looks great
The Broncos were eager to bring Tim Patrick back from injured reserve and that yielded great results right away.
The trio of Patrick, Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant reeled in 13 receptions for 250 yards on Sunday. Those are terrific numbers.
The Broncos will want to build on this and so long as all of those guys can stay healthy, whoever plays quarterback for the team will have some great options to deliver the ball to.
4. This season is over… at least in terms of playoffs
The NFL is a week-to-week league and after each game, there is a different take. Had the Broncos won this game, many fans would have been talking about the big turnaround this team is about to make. Since they lost, there are fans calling for the dismissal of Vic Fangio.
Both of those are ridiculous.
However, the Broncos are not making the playoffs this year, they’re not “running the table” or anything of that sort. What Fangio and his staff need to do at this point is to see what can be built upon to take into next season.
The receiving group was mentioned and there are signs of the team having a great defense again. The next month should be dedicated to seeing where the team needs to improve in the future.
That includes the quarterback position, so Drew Lock needs to be on the field as soon as possible.
