An injury bug doomed the Denver Broncos
Nothing went right for the Broncos this season, and the injury bug engulfing a massive chunk of the team ravaged their luck.
Per Spotrac, Denver has 18 players on injured reserve, the most in the league.
Some are starters like wide receiver Tim Patrick and running back Javonte Williams, who could've helped the Broncos hapless scoring offense (14.9 points per game) that ranks last through 13 games.
Patrick came off a career-high 53 receptions in 2021 and seemed poised for a better campaign before tearing his ACL in training camp.
Williams averaged 4.3 yards per carry, which tied the highest average for a Broncos running back this season, before also suffering a season-ending ACL tear in Week 4.
Even Broncos, who aren't on injured reserve, dealt with unrelenting pain plaguing them throughout the season.
Promising second-year linebacker Baron Browning battled a nagging hip flexor, recording one sack in four games since returning in Week 11.
Russell Wilson suffered a concussion in a Week 14 loss to the Chiefs, needed an injection for his right shoulder after a Week 5 loss to the Colts and missed Week 7 due to a hamstring injury.
The Broncos can't use the injuries as an excuse for all of their problems, but they didn't help.
The best teams in the NFL stay healthy. According to Spotrac, the Eagles and Chiefs have six players on IR, a third of the Broncos' total.
Philadelphia and Kansas City stand atop the Super Bowl odds table at No.2 and No.3, per Oddschecker.
More must-reads: