The 2020 Denver Broncos season is (finally) about to end.
It’s only been 15 games, but somehow it feels way longer than that.
As has been the case two of the last four seasons, the Broncos (5-10) close their season against the Loss Vegas, er, Las Vegas Raiders (7-8). In both of those instances, Denver has won the game. Though both of the subsequent seasons were worse from a win-loss standpoint.
Can Drew Lock and the Broncos get some clarity heading into 2021? When it comes to quarterback, that’s biggest question (still) left to get answered when it comes to this franchise. A win and solid performance from Lock on Sunday could make John Elway and Denver feel somewhat better about the strides he’s made since the Miami Dolphins game until now.
If Lock puts forth a showing similar to what he did in Week 10 against the Raiders ...
Offensive Rankings
Las Vegas: Tenth in overall offense (377.9 yards per game), 12th in rushing (120.7), 10th in passing (257.2), 11th in scoring offense (26.8 points per game).
Denver: Twenty-seventh in overall offense (328.2 yards per game), 14th in rushing (119.7), 28th in passing (208.5), 29th in scoring offense (19.5 points per game).
Defensive Rankings
Las Vegas: Twenty-fourth in overall defense (385.3 yards per game), 22nd in rushing defense (126.1), 25th in passing defense (259.2), 29th in scoring defense (29.8 points per game).
Denver: Nineteenth in overall in defense (361.5 yards per game), 26th in rushing defense (131.6), 12th in passing defense (229.9), 25th in scoring defense (27.6 points per game).
Here are the MHR staff’s keys to Sunday’s game.
No significant injuries
Beat the Raiders, don’t beat the Raiders, just don’t have a player or players get a serious injury. I get it, talking about injuries is a no-go, but I knocked on wood. — Ian St. Clair
Who gives a s@$%?
— Jeff Essary
Jerry Jeudy bounce back
It’s not so much a key to the game, but I’d like to see Jeudy bounce back. It would be nice to see him make a couple good plays. Maybe a touchdown catch. — Adam Malnati
Same game plan from Pat Shurmur
I‘m with Adam, I really hope Jeudy continues to see a heavy dose of the targets. At this point Ef it, the season’s a wash anyways. Give 10 an opportunity to bounce back being treated like the WR1. As for actual keys to the game: I think Shurmur needs to do what he did last week. Lean on the ground game early, establish play-action and boot action and hope people make the red-zone trips count. If not for the red-zone pick and Brandon McManus’ miss, the Broncos scored 26 points last week. — Joe Rowles