Horse Tracks: Broncos disappoint everyone... again

After an offseason that brought a trade for a coach, a collegiate draft with few picks, a fancy new scoreboard, upgraded premium spaces within the stadium, free agents, and a new kicker, things in Broncos Country are status quo. They still suck.

Since the 1970’s the cornerstone of Broncos culture is that Denver, above all else, must beat the Raiders. While to say that the Broncos could lose every game but the two against the Raiders is hyperbole, it’s not that far from the truth.

The Broncos lost on Sunday to Las Vegas by a single point, 17-16. You can chalk the loss up to a mismanaged game-opening onside kick, a missed extra point, a missed 55-yard field goal, the inability to get a stop on 3rd down (except when they did, in which case they couldn’t get a stop on 4th down), or - when the chips were down and they needed a drive to take back the lead - they went 3 and out, exhibiting the resiliency of a gently warmed margarine.

Ordinarily, after the first loss of the season, there’s still hope and optimism for a season that could be. After this loss, it feels like this is just a continuation of the past few seasons that were. More of the same rancid football. More promises to turn things around. More of the smelliest BS spin this side of the Rocky Mountains.

Sure, there were positives in the game, but after these past few years of gazing through a microscope for the genesis of something that could be special, I can tell you those positives won’t germinate into diddly-squat. They haven’t yet, why would they now?

In a town that boast championships from the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche, and that is just a short drive from Coach Prime’s Buffs, this “Aw shucks, we’ll get ‘em next time” mentality no longer cuts it. When is next time? We’ve been patiently waiting and, now 7-seasons in, there’s not one damn inkling of any sort of corner being turned. The Broncos still don’t have what it takes to be relevant, much less interesting. This season was already going to be hard, dropping a winnable game to the Raiders only makes it that much difficult.

...and as we saw on Sunday, when things get difficult, these Broncos just don’t do difficult.

Disgusting.

HEADLINES

Denver Broncos fall to the Las Vegas Raiders 17-16 in the season opener
The Denver Broncos start off the Sean Payton era with another disappointing loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. This is Denver’s 7th straight loss to the Raiders.

NFL Week 1 Game Recap: Las Vegas Raiders 17, Denver Broncos 16 | NFL News, Rankings and Statistics | PFF
Two AFC West teams with a lot to prove kicked off the season with a back-and-forth battle that ended with a key third-down scramble from new Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to seal the victory.

2 arrested in post Broncos vs. Raiders game fight | FOX31 Denver
Fans leaving Empower Field at Mile High after the Denver Broncos game Sunday may have noticed police officers making arrests just a few blocks away from the stadium.

’No one’s throwing in the towel’: Broncos resolute to improve, not let Week 1 loss to Raiders define season
From Justin Simmons and Pat Surtain II to Russell Wilson and Mike McGlinchey, the Broncos' veterans agreed with the sentiment that there’s plenty more football to be played — and a tough Week 1 loss won’t characterize their 2023 campaign.

Sean Payton calls an onside kick in his first play as Broncos coach in Week 1 opener vs. Raiders - CBSSports.com
Payton opted for some trickery to begin his Broncos tenure

NFL Week 1 live updates, scores, highlights: Raiders spoil Sean Payton's Broncos debut; Rams squash Seahawks - CBSSports.com
Everything to know about Week 1 right here

DK Metcalf says, "I was blocking" on hard fourth-quarter hit to Ahkello Witherspoon - NBC Sports
Late in the fourth quarter of the Rams' 30-13 victory over the Seahawks, there was an incident between Seattle receiver DK Metcalf and Los Angeles defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon.

Tyreek Hill: I always feel like nobody can guard me - NBC Sports
Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill was dominant in Sunday's victory over the Chargers, catching 11 passes for 215 yards with two touchdowns — including the game-winner with 1:45 left in the fourth quarter.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow throws for career-low 82 yards in loss - ESPN
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, coming off a calf injury and an NFL-record contract extension, threw for 82 yards in Sunday's 24-3 loss to the Browns.

'A dream to work with,' Purdy returns, powers 49ers to win - ESPN
Six months after surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy led the 49ers to a comfortable 30-7 season-opening victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium.

Eagles sluggish, but 'winning is the only thing that matters' - ESPN
After the Eagles meandered their way through a narrow 25-20 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday, Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni expressed regret over not playing quarterback Jalen Hurts and the offensive starters during the preseason.

Cowboys set franchise history, leave 'no doubt' with 40-0 win - ESPN
The Dallas Cowboys, who scored offensively, defensively and on special teams, opened the season in historical fashion Sunday night, blanking the New York Giants, 40-0, becoming just the fifth team with a shutout of 40-plus points on the road in Week 1.

NFL stats and records, Week 1: Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill both break records in season opener
NFL Research offers the best nuggets from each week of games in the NFL. Here are the most eye-popping statistical accomplishments from Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season.

Steelers HC Mile Tomlin on worst home loss of his career: 'We got kicked in the teeth'
Kenny Pickett and the Steelers offense, which had stoked expectations after scoring on each of their preseason drives, were rag-dolled in a Week 1 home loss to the San Francisco 49ers, 30-7 -- the most lopsided home defeat in the Mike Tomlin era.

Jordan Love on leading Packers to ninth straight win over Bears: 'Obviously, that was the plan for us'
On the eve of his first game as the official QB1 of the Green Bay Packers, Jordan Love visualized leaving Soldier Field victorious against the Chicago Bears. Three touchdowns, 245 yards and a sterling performance later, Love did just that.

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase after blowout loss to Browns: ‘We just lost to some elves’
Joe Burrow isn’t panicking. Ja'Marr Chase isn’t backing down from his incendiary game week comments. Nonetheless, nary a Cincinnati Bengal was pleased after an abysmal season-opening 24-3 loss to the archrival Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

2023 NFL season, Week 1: What We Learned from Sunday's games
Around The NFL breaks down what you need to know from all of Sunday's action. How did Jordan Love fare in his first game as the Packers' full-time starter?

Ravens' win over Texans ends with final score that's never been seen before in NFL history - CBSSports.com
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a scorigami!

Tom Brady to immediately get inducted into Patriots Hall of Fame as Robert Kraft waives waiting period for QB - CBSSports.com
No four-year wait necessary: Brady will receive a special in-stadium induction ceremony on June 12, 2024

NFL Week 1 injury roundup: Anthony Richardson, J.K. Dobbins, Diontae Johnson among big names hurt in openers - CBSSports.com
The war of attrition begins