Broncos defense on the verge of collapsing
The Broncos' defensive late-game breakdowns prove it carried the team for far too long. A 22-16 overtime loss against the Raiders on Sunday highlighted the issue.
With less than a minute to go, Raiders running back Josh Jacobs scampered through the defense for a 43-yard gain, setting up a tying field goal. In overtime, wideout Davante Adams slipped past the secondary on a 35-yard touchdown, sealing the game.
Per Sean Keeler of the Denver Post, Adams' touchdown was the fifth time the Broncos allowed a pass play of 20 yards or more, during the final two minutes of regulation or overtime, over the past four games.
Consequently, big plays in crunch time raise questions about endurance.
"I wouldn't say (we're tired)," said Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero in a Wednesday news conference. "I just don't believe in excuses. We have more than enough to get it done."
Although Evero doesn't believe in excuses, the defense deserves them because an awful offense accompanies it.
Through 10 games, Denver surrendered 14 touchdowns, the best in the league, but it scored 13 touchdowns, the worst in the league.
The disparity explains six one-possession losses and the cracks forming within the defense.
The unit's depth diminished as well. Denver traded Bradley Chubb, its best pass-rusher, to Miami for a 2023 first-round draft pick (via San Francisco). Also, fellow pass-rusher Randy Gregory is on injured reserve with a knee injury he suffered in Week 1.
The Broncos recorded zero sacks in their two games since the Chubb trade.
The offense needs to step up. It can't rely on the defense to save it, especially an exhausted one.
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