Don’t hold your breath for Trevor Lawrence.

After 4 weeks of NFL football, two things have become painfully clear. The Broncos are more injured now that at any time in their history and, despite that, there are teams that are are having an even worse season.

What looked good on paper in the offseason still looks that way. As the Broncos saw in 2013 under Peyton Manning, when a team is firing on all cylinders there’s nothing anybody (except the Seahawks) can do to stop it. What should have been a youthful high-octane offensive unit comprised of Lock, Jeudy, Fant, Hamler, Sutton, Lindsay, and Gordon has been a backfiring mess of injured players. Actually, ‘backfiring’ doesn’t truly capture the mayhem of these 2020 Broncos, it’s more like an engine ejecting components or intermittently catching fire.

Looking around the league, there are teams who appear to be worse than Denver — even with the litany of injuries. Yes, I am about to trot out the short-list of teams that are worse than the Broncos right now. And yes, I understand that at 1-3, there is little standing to do so. However, with how this year has gone, we need something to be positive about, damn it! The Giants, Texans, Falcons, and Jets are all super-jealous of Denver’s one win so far. The Titans, Giants, and Jets have fewer touchdowns than the Broncos. Denver’s defense has quietly amassed 10 sacks, more than half the league (not counting teams postponing due to COVID-19). See, the 2020 Broncos may not be a complete disaster!

While watching a bunch of guys whose names you don’t recognize in place of the people we were all looking forward to seeing this year, there’s reason to be optimistic about these ‘Bootleg Broncos’. They’re not incompetent. They’re not quitters. The Broncos are in a unique position to take advantage of the adversity that this year presents to come back strong and healthy to really compete when we can all go watch them in person. It’s apparent that this may not be the Broncos year, but it may build just the character Denver needs to go forward into a successful future.

HORSE TRACKS

Broncos Journal: Blitzing inside linebackers Alexander Johnson, Josey Jewell should become regular part of scheme – The Denver Post
During New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold’s first four drop-backs Thursday night, Broncos coach/defensive play-caller Vic Fangio played it straight.

Trevor Lawrence's 10 best fits in the 2021 NFL Draft, from the ideal Broncos to long-shot Patriots | Sporting News
Trevor Lawrence would fit with any team in 2021. Here are the 10 best NFL landing spots for the Clemson quarterback and likely No. 1 overall draft pick.

Denver Broncos sign former Super Bowl champ Nigel Bradham | 9news.com
The Broncos needed to add Bradham to a defense plagued by injuries.

Ask Aric: What is the Broncos’ outlook after a win vs. the Jets?
Aric DiLalla answers questions about the Broncos' season outlook, Drew Lock and Brett Rypien.

Mike McCarthy: This pattern needs to stop and that starts with me - ProFootballTalk

Browns hold off Cowboys in blowout that turned into shootout - ProFootballTalk

Sean Payton proud of how team handled false positive COVID-19 test - ProFootballTalk

Rams keep Giants out of end zone in 17-9 win - ProFootballTalk

Jalen Ramsey, Golden Tate brawl after Rams beat Giants - ProFootballTalk

Colts' defense shuts down Nick Foles and the Bears - ProFootballTalk

Jon Gruden tests the league's patience on mask wearing, again - ProFootballTalk

Reality setting in around the NFL after positive COVID-19 tests disrupt 2020 season
NFL Network's Judy Battista examines the eventful week of positive COVID-19 cases ahead of Week 4, and the NFL's handling of issues they've been expecting to stabilize during an unprecedented 2020 season.

Ron Rivera on coaching amid cancer fight: 'It's a struggle, it's a battle'
Ron Rivera admitted his struggles with staying on the sidelines as he continues to coach the Washington Football Team amid his fight with cancer.

J.J. Watt on Texans' 0-4 start: 'This is terrible. It's brutal. I mean, it's depressing. It sucks'
The Texans can only cling to control of their own destiny after starting the season 0-4. Aging star DE J.J. Watt doesn’t feel like he has much control of Houston’s fortunes either.

Lawrence tabs 'Boys' defensive effort in 49-38 loss 'soft'
Dallas' defense gave up a season-high 49 points as the Browns ran for more than 300 yards on Sunday. Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence was none too pleased.

Minnesota Vikings' Harrison Smith ejected for hit that KO'd Jordan Akins
Vikings defensive back Harrison Smith was ejected for a hit that knocked Jordan Akins out of the game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard may be done with Achilles injury
Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard may have a ruptured Achilles that would end his season.

Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson ties Peyton Manning's mark with 16 TDs through 4 games
Russell Wilson tied Peyton Manning's record for most touchdown passes (16) through a team's first four games.

Indianapolis Colts LB Darius Leonard limps off field, ruled out vs. Chicago Bears
Darius Leonard, the leader of the Colts' defense, left Sunday's game against the Bears with a groin injury.

New Orleans Saints overcome disruption, rally past Lions
The Saints overcame the distraction of problematic coronavirus testing and a deficit to the Lions to get a big win.

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott - Would swap historic numbers for wins
Dak Prescott has thrown for 1,424 yards, the most over a three-game span in NFL history. But the Cowboys QB would trade it all for more wins.

Source - Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler likely out several weeks
Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is expected to miss several weeks after apparently suffering a knee and hamstring injury Sunday, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

NFL reschedules Patriots-Chiefs to Monday night on CBS, both clubs reportedly will be tested prior to game - CBSSports.com
Patriots will take on the Chiefs on Monday at 7 p.m. ET on CBS

Patriots will travel to Kansas City using two planes following Cam Newton's positive COVID-19 test, per report - CBSSports.com
New England will use both of its planes to fly to K.C.

Cam Newton reacts to positive COVID-19 test: 'Will take this time to get healthy' - CBSSports.com
Cam Newton breaks his silence on landing on the reserve/COVID list

Bills' Josh Allen says Kobe Bryant inspires his tough play: 'I'm willing to sacrifice my body for our team' - CBSSports.com
Buffalo's star quarterback returned from injury on Sunday to help lead his team to 4-0

Titans facing potentially major penalties as NFL, NFLPA investigate possible breaches of COVID-19 protocols - CBSSports.com
A large number of positive tests on the Titans caused NFL to suspend their game against the Steelers