Clock is ticking on the Sean Payton-Russell Wilson marriage
With the Broncos 0-2, it's time to start wondering how long head coach Sean Payton will allow quarterback Russell Wilson to hold the team back.
If Denver's first ride with Wilson resembled a broken-down station wagon, this year it's a roller coaster.
In Week 1's 17-16 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, Wilson was an efficient 27-of-34 (79.4 percent) but unspectacular, only averaging 5.2 yards per attempt.
He connected on a couple of deep bombs in Week 2's 35-33 loss to the Washington Commanders, averaging an impressive 9.6 yards per attempt. His accuracy, however, took a hit as he only connected on 18-of-32 attempts (56.3 percent).
Payton lamented the offense's inefficient effort after the game, saying Wilson needs to be "sharper," particularly when calling out plays in the huddle.
Surprisingly, Payton declined an opportunity to rail against the officiating after a controversial non-call on a pass interference during a potential tying two-point conversion attempt as time expired, instead singling out a misread by Wilson.
While a clear pass interference, Wilson deserves blame for not getting the ball to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who broke free on the left side of the formation.
The Commanders did a nice job of pressuring Wilson on the attempt, but he had time to target Jeudy, whom he didn't even look at during the play. If Washington defensive back Benjamin St-Juste doesn't interfere with Courtland Sutton on the attempt, maybe he does catch it. But if Wilson makes the right read, he's throwing the ball to an uncovered Jeudy and doesn't have to rely on the referees to be the ones to do the right thing.
One look at Wilson's stats would seem to indicate he wasn't the problem in Week 2. Yet while he had 308 yards and three touchdowns, his accuracy was an issue, even on some of his completions, most notably on a 3rd-and-9 late in the first half.
Wilson threw behind a wide-open Jeudy, who would have easily gained a first down but instead was tackled two yards short of the line to gain.
That missed opportunity followed Wilson's fumble on the previous drive, which led to Washington's first touchdown in its comeback from 21-3 down.
With the ball lying helplessly on the turf, Wilson didn't jump on the loose ball, instead allowing the Commanders to recover. Does he think he's Cam Newton in the Super Bowl?
Then, in a tied game at 21, Wilson threw a horrible interception to rookie Emmanuel Forbes with no Broncos receiver in the area.
Wilson also took seven sacks in the game, and while Washington's outstanding front deserves credit, Wilson didn't show great pocket awareness on some of those sacks, either.
Things are probably only going to get worse for Denver. In Week 3, the Broncos travel to Miami (2-0), making an 0-3 start likely.
The Broncos season could be over before the first month of the season ends. If so, that should also be the end of the doomed Wilson experience in Denver.
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