HT: If the Broncos fall to the Rams & Cardinals, it’ll be time to start working some deals.

As we’re all well aware, the Broncos’ season is quickly going off the rails. I tend to fall on the optimistic side as a fan, but if things continue to devolve even further I don’t see how any fan can help but demand change. Specifically, the Broncos will play 2 games in the next 6 days. If I’m writing Horse Tracks for next Friday with a 3rd win to look back on, that’ll be one thing. But if that post becomes one lamenting a 5 game losing streak? In that case, I think the future becomes the priority.

Coaching Changes

Some of us are still surprised that no one lost their job after the disastrous effort vs the Jets. But if we fall to 2-5, I can pretty much guarantee you that heads will roll among the coaching staff before we head to Kansas City. We’re quickly heading into midseason firing territory, with the additional prospect of mass turnover among the coaches when we reach the offseason.

QB Changes

There’s room to argue that Keenum bears the brunt of the blame for the Broncos’ offensive failures this season. There’s room to argue that he’s only one problem out of many, and not the largest of them. Either way, if we head into KC on that 5 game losing streak, it’ll be only a matter of time before the team gives Chad Kelly an opportunity to do better.

Roster Changes & Preparing for the Future

Coaching changes & QB changes are just two components of the larger change in direction that 2-5 will demand of the Broncos if we find ourselves there: rebuilding. If that happens, it’ll be controversial in Broncos Country by default. But it’ll probably be necessary.

A big part of that would necessarily involve moving on from some players in order to put other players in a position to succeed. Most of that would occur during the offseason, but there are a couple of moves that make some degree of sense prior to the trade deadline.

For reference, the NFL Trade Deadline is 4 PM EST on October 30th, so that’d give the Broncos 10 or 11 days to make some deals.

Trade Candidates

Demaryius Thomas

I’ve never been a big fan of the whole #TradeDT thing- Thomas is easily a top 3 WR in Broncos history. He’s been under-appreciated by some fans for a long time. That said, there comes a time for every player when the team’s future vision doesn’t include them anymore. With Courtland Sutton on the rise, 2019 is probably that time for Demaryius Thomas. But if the Broncos are forced to start thinking Rebuild before then, there are a couple of teams out there who could use Thomas’s talents. The Cowboys certainly come to mind, for instance. If a GM is willing to take on DT’s contract & offer Denver some draft assets in return, the Broncos should definitely consider it.

Sanders could also be a possibility, but that’d be doing additional unnecessary damage to the offense considering how often Keenum targets him. I think we’d see more significant dropoff in production from Sanders to Hamilton than we would from Thomas to Sutton.

Derek Wolfe

Wolfe is an outspoken presence in the locker room, but at this point he’s overpaid for the player he’s become: essentially a glorified run stopper. The Broncos have plenty of defensive line depth to survive moving on from Wolfe, and he’s arguably one of the guys who’s most likely to become a toxic presence in the locker room if things continue to spiral out of control. If a team needs a starter for their defensive line and is willing to take him, I’d say go for it.

There are also some guys who should probably take a step back in favor of getting younger players on the field more to gain experience & have their mettle tested. Brandon Marshall. Possibly Darian Stewart. And, as mentioned, Case Keenum.

Horse Tracks

Eagles vs. Giants results: Eli Manning-Odell Beckham connection lacking - SBNation.com
The Eagles dominated the Giants, who couldn’t get anything done on offense in the wake of OBJ’s comments criticizing the team’s offense prior to the game.

Odell Beckham Jr.’s candid ESPN interview about the Giants, explained - SBNation.com
This was astonishing to see midseason.

Allen Hurns blames playcalling, not WRs, for Cowboys’ awful offense - SBNation.com
The Dallas offense is so bad it made a guy who spent four years with Blake Bortles complain.

NFL pass rushers reveal how new rules make it impossible to be great - SBNation.com
The NFL’s emphasis on protecting quarterbacks is putting defenders at risk, and they are not happy about it.

NFL picks 2018, Week 6: Will the Chiefs keep rolling? We’re not so sure - SBNation.com
Can’t miss picks from our expert panel for every NFL game this week.

NFL Panic Index: The Packers should listen to Aaron Rodgers - SBNation.com
Green Bay’s offense isn’t working. The Chiefs are 5-0 again. Philly’s struggling with a hangover. All that and more to be worried about this week.

Eagles, Carson Wentz unstoppable in win over Giants - NFL.com
The Philadelphia Eagles showed up big and the New York Giants just couldn't get going Thursday night. Here's what we learned.

Broncos CEO on Vance Joseph: We're all pulling for him - NFL.com
Despite his team's current three-game losing streak, Denver Broncos coach Vance Joseph received a vote of confidence on Thursday from team president and CEO Joe Ellis.

Steelers, Lions among last-place teams with best playoff hopes - NFL.com
Can Matthew Stafford's Detroit Lions climb out of last place in the NFC North and win the division? Gil Brandt ranks all eight last-place teams according to their chances of saving their seasons.

NFL Power Rankings, Week 6: Saints enter top three, Eagles dip - NFL.com
Elliot Harrison updates his Power Rankings after another unpredictable week in the NFL, with a number of high-profile franchises moving in both directions.

Game Theory: Week 6 win probabilities, score predictions - NFL Videos
Cynthia Frelund picks her winners for Week 6 games.

Broncos run defense looks to back bounce against Todd Gurley and the Rams
After getting gashed by the Jets, the members of the Broncos’ front seven are determined to slow down one of the league’s most potent runners.

In Von Miller's world, fixing the Broncos' defensive troubles is simple