Horse Tracks: It’s time to consider the Denver Broncos to be a subpar football team

Good morning, Broncos Country.

The Denver Broncos have given fans some of the highest of highs and lowest of low to date. The franchise went undefeated in preseason and their performance in that regard may have placed some unrealistic and lofty expectations for a team who underwent a major overhaul on both offense and special teams during the offseason.

After starting off hot and winning three of their first four games, the Broncos have placed putrid performances to subbar teams in the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers in consecutive weeks. The thought reaching the playoffs seems to have evaporated from the fan base and most football analysts who now have the Broncos in crisis mode. Some years, no matter what the team’s goals or mindset is, just aren’t meant to be.

For the 2017 Broncos, I just don’t believe success is in the cards. Perhaps it is time to consider the Denver Broncos a subpar football team.

While the Broncos defense has performed admirably in the early stages of the team's 2017 campaign, the same cannot be said for the offense and special teams, whose lackluster production and output has been the primary culprit for the Broncos' success the past two Sunday's. After giving fans something to cheer about and be excited for in efforts against the aforementioned Chargers and Dallas Cowboys in their first two games, Trevor Siemian has unequivocally regressed in October. The third-year quarterback's inability to progress through his reads and find the open receiver has been a disaster.

Additionally, the team has been struggling on third downs and in the red zone. The prominent rushing game featured in the first three contests is gone, and the Broncos’ offensive line isn’t doing Siemian any favors routinely in the passing game. Not only that, the special teams performance given by the Broncos week in and week out, whether it’s attempting field goals or stopping opponents on returns has been absolutely dreadful.

It’s hard enough to win in the NFL on a consistent basis, but that’s never going to happen for the Broncos if they continue be terrible performers in two of football’s three key phases. There is always the possibility that the team finally gets it. Maybe the leaders in the locker room will finally band together and say enough is enough. Even if they do, it might be too little, too late.

The last two games were considered the easiest out of the Broncos’ recent five game stretch, which will include facing top teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and high-flying Philadelphia Eagles on the road before coming home to face the always dangerous New England Patriots. If by some miracle the Broncos could win two out of the next three games, they could still be worthy of being considered playoff contenders.

If not, they should be noted as a subpar football team who needs a lot of work before having any aspirations of competing for the franchise’s fourth Lombardi Trophy. And when the time comes that clearly shows the Broncos have completed their fall from grace, it will be necessary to hit the reboot button this coming offseason — especially on offense. Few players on that side of the ball should feel their jobs are secure, and I expect John Elway to do whatever it takes to ensure the franchise and its fans don’t have to endure another slate of embarrassing performances like this down the road.

If not, darker days may be ahead for Denver. Let’s hope that doesn’t become a consistent reality.

As always, thank you for reading and here is today’s offering of Horse Tracks.

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