Broncos Power Rankings Around the Web: Week 14

I expected the Broncos to lose to the Dolphins, but I didn’t expect it to be that bad. And that’s pretty sad, considering the defense played quite well. Unfortunately, the more-competitive-than-expected Jets are about to come drop some bombs on the far-more-pathetic-than-expected Broncos.

Fortunately or unfortunately, there’s no longer very far for the Broncos to fall. The Browns won’t beat the Packers and the Giants stand little chance against the Cowboys. Jimmy Garoppolo’s second start as a 49er vs the Texans has some interesting potential to improve the Broncos’ draft pick, though.

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SB Nation:

30. Denver Broncos (Last Week: 30)

Per usual: Note that these are “hope” rankings based on the outcome of the most recent game, not power rankings and certainly not standings.

Bleacher Report:

29. Denver Broncos

Last Week's Ranking: 29

The Denver Broncos are a disaster. The offense continues to commit turnovers and find ways to put the defense in tough spots. In addition, the offense cannot sustain drives to keep the defense off the field and fresh. Against the Miami Dolphins, Denver was 1-of-13 on third downs.

It doesn't help that there isn't much of a running game to help out the quarterback position.

The Denver defense is good, but there's only so much it can do. It's also concerning that opposing teams are producing some big plays against it. That's probably a product of the defense being forced to carry the team so much this year.

The Broncos are playing for next year, and it's time for them to figure out who's worth keeping on that offense.

That’s a rare miss from Chris Simms. There’s nothing wrong with the Broncos’ running game other than the coaches’ insistence on abandoning it far too quickly. CJ Anderson was one of the best RBs in the league in Week 13, but Vance Joseph and Bill Musgrave ignored him in favor of pissing the team’s chances away by pushing the grossly incompetent passing attack to the forefront before the team even fell behind.

ESPN:

27. Denver Broncos

2017 record: 3-9

Week 13 ranking: No. 28

The Broncos selected Garett Bolles 20th overall and might have nabbed a left tackle for years to come in the process. Bolles has started all 12 games and leads all left tackles with 777 snaps played.

Now that is a neat little tidbit about Garett Bolles, and a much needed bright spot in a bad season. I’m not sure it warrants an upgrade to 27th on the heels of a 26 point blowout loss, though.

Yahoo Sports:

27. Denver Broncos (3-9, LW: 25)

You can’t blame Vance Joseph for not having a decent quarterback. You can blame him for the utter sloppiness, and not getting anything out of those quarterbacks. Denver fans are angry and it makes sense. The Broncos have lost 12 games in a season only once, and never more than 12. The Broncos seem to be on a straight path to 3-13, especially after how they rolled over against Miami on Sunday.

Yeah, pretty much. After a historically bad season, the new year is going to usher in some consequences at Dove Valley.

USA Today:

30. Denver Broncos

3-9

Defense ranked fifth yet has given up more points than every team except Indianapolis and most TD passes (26). #FreeFlyZone

I knew there was a reason I don’t read this rag. Anyone who’d mock the defense when it’s so obviously not the problem can go eat a bag of <your disgusting item of choice>.

NFL.com:

30. 3-9 BRONCOS

The Broncos have suffered through a few miserable seasons over the last 30 years, although not as many as you would think. The worst campaign I can remember was in 1990, when the Broncos stumbled to a 5-11 finish after making three of the previous four Super Bowls. There was also the Josh McDaniels/Eric Studesville debacle of 2010, when Denver finished 4-12. And Dan Reeves went 2-7 in the strike-shortened 1982 season. Denver acquired John Elway the following year. So here's a glimmer of hope as 3-9 Denver limps down the stretch: All three of those teams made the playoffs the next year. Seriously. No really, look it up.

The Broncos’ strong track record of bouncing back from down seasons is a great piece of hope to hold on to right now. And with the potential for the franchise to take a new quarterback with the highest pick ever used on a QB in franchise history, it’s a hopeful thought indeed.

Sports Illustrated/MMQB:

29. Denver Broncos (3-9)

Last Week’s Rank: 25

Points in MMQB Power Poll: 70

Highest-Place Vote: 23rd

Lowest-Place Vote: 30th (3)

Last Week’s Result: Loss at Miami, 35-9

Week 14 Opponent: vs. N.Y. Jets

Denver Broncos (25th to 29th): A goal for Week 14: allow fewer than two safeties. That would be a good sign of progress.

Okay. Ow...

I know that’s exactly what I commented for this one last week, but can you blame me? When not allowing two safeties is progress...

Washington Post:

31. Denver Broncos (3-9) | Last Week’s Rank: 30

John Elway was being overly kind, as it turned out, when he called the Broncos soft.

Soft like a down pillow, man.

CBS Sports:

27. Broncos

It's hard to believe this team has lost eight straight games. The bad quarterback play has killed the Broncos.

The horse is dead, everyone. Not that that will stop the beatings.

FiveThirtyEight:

#27 Denver Broncos

The 2017 Broncos are, at least, still rated ahead of the 2010 unit according to ELO. But will it last?

NumberFire:

#21 Denver Broncos

Getting there, but still way off.

DenverBroncos.com:

27. DENVER (3-9)

Last week: 26

The Broncos defense ranked fifth in net points allowed, third in net yards allowed and second in first downs allowed on a per-possession basis in Week 13, but it was far from enough.

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At the three quarter mark, the Broncos’ playoff chances are hanging by the very barest, slimmest thread imaginable and there’s absolutely no realistic chance that they’ll turn things around with any significance.

The proof is in the pudding (or the cow patty, as the case may be): With Trevor Siemian still getting the start against the Jets after tossing 3 interceptions including a pick-six against the bad Dolphins defense, John Elway and company have embraced the tank. If they had any true intention of trying to field a somewhat competitive team at this point, Brock Osweiler would be your starting QB.