The Denver Broncos were defeated by the Los Angeles Chargers 19-16 on the road in Week 6, dropping to 2-4 with the loss.
Here are six quick takeaways from the team’s third-straight defeat.
6
Melvin Gordon lost his starting job. Is his roster spot next?
Gordon was benched at halftime and replaced by Latavius Murray and Mike Boone. Gordon did not receive a single carry in the second half and it seems fair to wonder if his time with the team might be coming to an end. The NFL’s trade deadline is Nov. 1 and if the Broncos aren’t going to play Gordon, it would make sense to trade him.
And speaking of being benched, tight end Albert Okwuegbunam was a healthy scratch on Monday. He might be a trade candidate as well.
5
Greg Dulcich quickly wins TE1 job
With Albert O inactive, Dulcich quickly emerged as the new TE1. In his first NFL game, Dulcich caught two passes for 44 yards and one touchdown on three targets. Dulcich had a quiet second half as Denver’s entire offense struggled, but he showed signs of promise in the first two quarters.
4
Penalties remain a problem for the Broncos
Denver continues to play undisciplined football under coach Nathaniel Hackett. The Broncos committed 10 penalties for 151 yards on Monday, which marked the most penalty yardage the team has given up in a single game since 1976. Undisciplined penalties are a reflection of poor coaching.
3
Growing pains expected for Damarri Mathis
With Ronald Darby (torn ACL) set to miss the rest of the season, the Broncos have turned to Mathis — a rookie — to step up across from star cornerback Pat Surtain. Mathis was picked on often in his first NFL start and he was penalized four times for pass interference. The young cornerback now leads the NFL in DPI penalties through six weeks. Granted, two of the DPI calls were questionable, and Mathis did have an important fourth-down pass breakup in the fourth quarter, but the cornerback is clearly going through some growing pains as a pro.
2
Baron Browning continues to impress
Baron Browning in the 1st half vs LAC: 3 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 batted pass #Broncos pic.twitter.com/peW7mHTKFr
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) October 18, 2022
As usual, Denver’s defense was not the problem in Week 6, and second-year outside linebacker was among the unit’s standout players in Los Angeles. Browning totaled three tackles (including two behind the line of scrimmage), two pass breakups, one sack and one interception. He is a bright young star for the Broncos.
1
Nathaniel Hackett’s offense isn’t cutting it
Hackett is an offensive mind who was supposed to turn Denver’s offense around. Instead, the offense seems to have taken several steps backward. The Broncos are averaging just 15.2 points per game, which ranks last in the NFL.
Wilson hasn’t been perfect at quarterback, but much of the blame for Denver’s offensive struggles fall on Hackett. The team’s play-calling is often puzzling, with numerous passing plays called in short-yardage situations over the last six weeks.
Hackett hasn’t been good enough and after starting 2-4, he should be on the hot seat.
