With stability at the head coaching position, a clear starter under center, and high octane offensive acquisitions like Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, and Albert Okuegbunam, 2020 was supposed to be the year things got back on track in Broncos Country.

Whoops.

It all started to unravel in the days leading up to week 1 when Von Miller dislocated a tendon in his ankle. If we only knew then what we know now about the parade of injuries that would follow, we could have tempered expectations.

The sad thing is that this is just the IR list through September 29th, just three weeks into the season!

We have come to realize that Drew Lock is not yet the gunslinger we had hoped he would be. The Broncos inability to score touchdowns over field goals, combined with a turnover ratio of -20, have made winning football games all the more difficult. Whether it’s missed field goals, dropped passes, poorly timed penalties, or just dumb luck, the Broncos have not been able to put a consistent effort together week after week.

Of course, COVID-19 didn’t help. The Broncos lost their bye week, had to rearrange their schedule to benefit another team, had to play without Brandon McManus, and were even were forced to play a game with no quarterbacks.

Does it get any worse?

Really, a season like this is a blessing. It will be one that we can all point at say that it was one of the worst ever and we survived it. Even if, heaven forbid, the Broncos have a winless season, we can always say that at least we weren’t forced by the NFL to start a practice squad wide receiver at quarterback.

For many reasons, folks are ready for 2020 to be over. The season the Denver Broncos had is one of the minor ones. It’s time for the Broncos to lick their wounds, find the positives in this season (however few their are), and start building for 2021. I can’t wait to turn the page and look forward to better days.

HORSE TRACKS

Herbert sets rookie mark as Chargers down Broncos | Reuters
Justin Herbert passed for 253 yards and a touchdown, Michael Badgley kicked a go-ahead 37-yard field goal with 45 seconds remaining and the host Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Denver Broncos 19-16 on Sunday at Inglewood, Calif.

Denver Broncos' Noah Fant battles through injuries | 9news.com
In his second season with the Broncos, Noah Fant has shown improvement in tangible ways.

Sources -- Vic Fangio to remain Denver Broncos head coach in 2021
The Broncos will bring back coach Vic Fangio in 2021, league sources told ESPN, squashing any speculation about whether Denver would consider a coaching change after a fourth straight losing season.

Broncos game balls and gassers: Jerry Jeudy drops five passes in loss to Chargers
The rookie wideout dropped two straight passes late in the second quarter, and his day only got worse from there, with three more drops in the second half including one on a would-be TD.

Broncos quarterback Drew Lock needs his actions to speak louder than his words - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPN
Sunday's last-minute loss to the Chargers was the 11th consecutive start in which Lock has had a turnover.

Chargers stumble, but recover in time for 19-16 win - ProFootballTalk

Chargers QB Justin Herbert sets new single-season rookie record for TD passes
Baker Mayfield's rookie standard has been bested. Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert vaulted past Mayfield to set a new NFL single-season rookie record for touchdown passes on Sunday against the Broncos.

2020 NFL season, Week 16: What we learned from Sunday's games
The Steelers pulled off a phenomenal rally to get past the Colts, the Bears' playoff hopes are alive after beating a Jaguars team look ahead to No. 1 and the Ravens kept on rolling. And plenty more was had on Week 16.

Joe Judge thought Daniel Jones looked better in return to lineup - ProFootballTalk

Cowboys stay alive in NFC East race with 37-17 win that eliminates Eagles - ProFootballTalk

J.J. Watt rants on Houston Texans' lack of professionalism, feels bad for fans
J.J. Watt is unhappy with the Texans' lack of professionalism amid this 4-11 season, saying "if you can't want to go out there and win, you shouldn't be here."

Jacksonville Jaguars clinch No. 1 overall pick in 2021 NFL Draft
After losing to the Bears by 24 on Sunday, the Jaguars clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, snapping their tie with the Jets who beat the Browns.

Rams QB Jared Goff suffers broken thumb in loss to Seahawks
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff sustained a broken right thumb in his team's loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and NFL Network's Mike Silver reported.

Seahawks defeat Rams, clinch first NFC West crown since 2016
For the first time since 2016, the Seattle Seahawks are champions of the NFC West following their victory Sunday over the rival Los Angeles Rams.

Steelers snap losing streak to win AFC North title
Ending a three-game losing streak on Sunday with a dramatic victory over the Indianapolis Colts, the Pittsburgh Steelers clinched an AFC North title in the process.

Browns still have hope despite Week 16 meltdown to Jets
Despite troubling signs from the Browns before and during their loss to the Jets, Judy Battista sees reasons for Cleveland to remain hopeful heading into Week 17.

Washington benches QB Dwayne Haskins after multi-turnover day in loss to Panthers
Facing a 20-6 fourth-quarter deficit against the Panthers, the Washington Football Team benched Dwayne Haskins after another disappointing performance.