Mile High Report
Welcome back to another edition of our bye week roundtable discussions. In the first three installments, we have discussed the Broncos’ contender status, what gives the staff the most optimism, and what concerns them the most about Denver. For the fourth and installment of Broncos at the Bye, I asked the staff: “What players on the Broncos need to step up down the stretch?”
Christopher Hart
The Broncos need their offense to step up now more than ever. I’m delighted with how Bo Nix played against the Kansas City Chiefs, but that will need to continue down the stretch for the Broncos to show they are true Super Bowl contenders. But it’s not all on Nix, the receivers and running backs need to be much more consistent as well.
The Broncos are tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars with the most drops (27) in the NFL. The amount of meat being left on the bone from missed big plays is holding back the team. That’s why I want to see Nix and skill position players step up. This is a championship caliber defense. Just imagine how much better they will become if the offense gets in gear and starts sustaining drives.
Adam Malnati
For me, it’s certainly Bo Nix. I’m not bashing Nix. He’s been great in some really clutch moments. Still, putting together a complete game has not been his M.O. He needs to continue to improve and find ways to make big plays in the first and second quarter. Not just the fourth.
Tim Lynch
RJ Harvey and Jaleel McLaughlin are the two guys that I feel must step up the most. Together, they have got to produce as much as J.K. Dobbins did. The running game on early downs is vital for sustained drives and scoring. All eyes on them. But also, Troy Franklin needs to catch the ball when it hits his hands.
Joe Mahoney
Troy Franklin needs to start catching those deep balls that are going off his hands. Marvin Mims Jr. needs to get some use in the passing game. Riley Moss needs to keep his hands off WRs downfield. He needs to trust that he is in position and just play the ball. Jonathon Cooper, Dondrea Tillman and Que Robinson need to generate some strip sack fumbles. The one thing missing from this defense is the ability to generate turnovers, despite playing against some poor and turnover QBs so far this season. Forcing turnovers could be the difference between a first round bye and having to play in the first round of the playoffs.
Ross Allen
Luke Wattenberg and Alex Palczewski need to play the best football of their lives as they head into the playoffs. Wattenberg is borderline a liability in the run game when facing off against above average and beyond DT and NTs. Palczewski is good and has looked promising over the last five games, but he has his moments of suck. If these...
