Gassers and a look ahead following the Broncos’ 17-10 loss to the Titans in Week 10 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
Broncos defense
For about 90 percent of the first half, the Denver D was stout, shutting out the Titans and limiting the NFL’s best back, Derrick Henry. But the Titans engineered a 13-play, 75-yard drive at the end of the first half to pull with three points at 10-7, a possession punctuated by Ryan Tannehill’s TD pass. And in the second half, while the Broncos offense kept faltering, the defense got burned on a 63-yard flea-flicker TD pass from Tannehill, the longest play given up by Denver this season. Denver needs an A performance from its D to stay in games, and today was a B effort.
Russell Wilson
After engineering his 35th career game-winning drive two weeks ago in London to give the Broncos a glimmer of hope, Mr. Unlimited couldn’t get it done in crunch time against the Titans. Wilson did evade several sure sacks behind a battered and bruised offensive line, but he also made a handful of questionable throws, a few of which resulted in dropped would-be interceptions. It’s the eighth game of Wilson’s tenure with Denver, and he’s still nowhere near to playing up to his contract or his status as an elite QB. His line Sunday was 21-of-48 for 286 yards, one TD and one pick to clinch the defeat.
Broncos run game
While Wilson couldn’t fully settle in, the Broncos’ run game was equally suspect. Granted, they are without No. 1 tailback Javonte Williams (season-ending ACL injury in Week 4) and backup Mike Boone (on injured reserve ankle injury), and the injured offensive line saw two more players (right tackle Billy Turner and center Graham Glasgow) sidelined on Sunday. The tatters that were left behind couldn’t pick up the slack. Denver had 64 rushing yards — 24 by Latavius Murray and 24 by Melvin Gordon. The duo didn’t have any explosive plays out of the backfield.
Up Next
Sunday, Nov. 20 vs Raiders at Empower Field, 2:05 p.m.
Record: 2-6
Coach: Josh McDaniels (12-23 in 3rd year overall; 2-6 in first year with Raiders)
About the Raiders: The Raiders are underperforming in McDaniels’ first year. After going undefeated in the preseason, Las Vegas opened with narrow losses to the Chargers, Cardinals and Titans before beating Denver at Allegiant Stadium in Week 4. Derek Carr & Co’s other win this season came against the Texans. Las Vegas hosts the Colts this afternoon.
