As Scotty Payne said on Twitter, we’ll always have the Carolina Panthers game.
What makes Saturday’s 48-19 loss to the Buffalo Bills (11-3) even more infuriating is how far the Denver Broncos (5-9)have fallen and how far they have to go to get back. But when it comes to the Broncos of the last four seasons, it’s just another painful reminder.
There was a time in which this type of flogging, at this point in the season, would cost people their job. But it doesn’t seem the franchise cares.
At least we got this out of the way and can have the rest of our weekend.
Per the usual, I’m bound to forget someone, leave them off or put them in the wrong category, so please mention them in the comments.
Winners
Sam Martin
As I joked on Twitter, at least Denver has a good punter. It pretty much says it all when your punter is the player of the game and his punts are the plays of the game. Martin had two punts downed inside the 5-yard line and another one muffed. Speaking of which ...
Jacob Bobenmoyer
I never thought I would put a long snapper on the winners list, but welcome to the 2020 Broncos. Bobenmoyer recovered a fumble.
Melvin Gordon
I hesitate to put anyone else on the winners list, but Denver’s running back did have two touchdowns.
Losers
Drew Lock
For as well as he played against the Panthers, Lock was bad against the Bills. It’s not a surprise that Josh Allen and the Buffalo offense torched the Broncos defense, especially with the injuries in the secondary. Denver needed Lock and the offense to keep up. It failed. Lock failed. And can he please protect the football? Lock must play better in the final two games of the season. He finished 20-for-32 passing for 132 yards and one touchdown.
The Broncos defense
As noted above, it’s not a surprise the Broncos got lit up like a Christmas tree, but it doesn’t make it any less embarrassing. Holy smokes, 534 yards allowed and 48 points? Yikes.
Vic Fangio
Double yikes. Can add in his coaching staff for an honorable mention.
The Broncos
In terms of embarrassments for this once-proud franchise, this is the latest. There are so many from the last four years, I’ve lost count.
John Elway
At some point, someone must be held accountable. Head coaches. Offensive coordinators. Coaching staffs. Quarterbacks. One thing is consistent the last four years.
Joe Ellis
Bueller? Bueller?
Broncos Country
It really does seem anger from the fan base has transformed to apathy. That happens when the franchise you root for doesn’t seem to care and doesn’t hold anyone accountable. Pat Bowlen would have never accepted this. Ever. Let alone for four-straight years. At this point, it’s not a matter of when, but if anything will change with the Broncos. I get the patience aspect, but the fans and franchise have been patient for four years. This is now four-straight losing seasons. You have to go back to the 1960s and early ‘70s for this kind of futility. We’re also on five-straight years of not making the playoffs. That. Is. Unacceptable. Where’s the evidence to show this is the right path?