It’s going to be a long season for the Broncos

Going into the 2023 season, there was no mincing of words that the Broncos needed to start out strong in order to break the losing trend of recent seasons. After two games, the Broncos sit at 0-2 and concern has given way to reality that the Broncos are not a good football team, again.

While Russell Wilson has looked better under Sean Payton, there is no doubt that the defense has regressed. Blame DC Vance Joseph, his scheme, or any number of factors - the fact remains that when Denver needs a stop, they’re out of luck.

As has been said many times before, this team is not resilient. They are a group that has the stink of losing all over them and no about of scrubbing or scoring can remove it. The dynamic first half against Washington was a glimpse at what could be, while the second half was a tacit reminder of what, unfortunately, is.

Looking at the schedule, go ahead and circle games against the New York Jets on October 8 and Houston Texans on December, 3. After two poor performances leading into this season, it’s entirely likely that those two games give Denver the best chance to get wins. Credit to Aaron Rodgers and his flimsy Achilles for giving Broncos Country such lofty hopes.

Is it comforting to know that the season is already slipping from the Broncos grasp? At least we know what we have right out of the gate. Go ahead and make plans for January and February, Broncos Country. This is team going nowhere fast.

HORSE TRACKS

Broncos' Jackson ejected from 35-33 loss to Commanders - ESPN
Denver Broncos veteran safety Kareem Jackson, who was fined for a hit in the team's season-opening loss to the Las Vegas Raiders last week, was ejected from Sunday's 35-33 loss to the Washington Commanders in the first half.

Sean Payton: I don't think anyone got deflated by Kareem Jackson ejection - NBC Sports
The Broncos were leading the Commanders 21-3 in the second quarter when their safety Kareem Jackson delivered a blow to the head of Washington tight end Logan Thomas as Thomas was making a catch in the end zone.

Russell Wilson throws wild 50-yard Hail Mary on final play only for Broncos to suffer controversial loss - CBSSports.com
One of the wildest plays you'll ever see was all for naught

Josh Jacobs makes history in rushing for minus-2 yards - NBC Sports
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs said last week after rushing for only 48 yards on 19 carries that he had rust to knock off.

Pete Carroll: We needed this badly - NBC Sports
The Seahawks lost their season opener to the Rams and they gave up a 10-point lead in the final minutes of the fourth quarter in Detroit on Sunday, so it looked like things were going to end in a bad way for them again.

Michael Pittman Jr.: No one panicked when Gardner Minshew entered game - NBC Sports
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson staked the team to an early lead with two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter against the Texans, but a hit he took at some point in the early part of the game led to him being removed from the game a couple of minutes into the second quarter.

Matthew Judon: We're not a bad team, but can't have the slow starts - NBC Sports
Patriots edge rusher Matthew Judon had a couple of messages to send about his team after Sunday night's 24-17 loss to the Dolphins.

Ravens: "Means something" to send Bengals to 0-2 start - NBC Sports
The Ravens' 2022 season ended with back-to-back losses to the Bengals and members of the Bengals complained about "dirty" play from the Ravens during the first of those games, so it's no surprise that the Ravens were feeling pretty good about themselves after Sunday's win in Cincinnati.

Aaron Rodgers fallout: Jets don't control 2024 first-round pick thanks in part to Brett Favre - CBSSports.com
How Favre's trade 15 years ago impacts the Jets' 2024 draft

NFL Week 2 injury roundup: Anthony Richardson concussed, Saquon Barkley sprains ankle, Davante Adams evaluated - CBSSports.com
A rundown of the key injuries around the NFL

Chiefs' Jawaan Taylor penalized five times vs. Jaguars after being scrutinized for alignment in Week 1 - CBSSports.com
Taylor didn't get away with all that he pulled off in Week 1

Puka Nacua's 15-catch game for Rams breaks NFL rookie records - ESPN
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua caught 15 passes for 147 yards on Sunday, breaking the NFL's single-game record for receptions by a rookie and setting an overall league mark with 25 catches in the first two games of his career.

Colts QB Anthony Richardson in protocol after self-reporting concussion - ESPN
Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson self-reported concussion symptoms in the second quarter of Sunday's win over the Texans and is now in the protocol.

Cowboys' Jerry Jones - Working to increase minority ownership in NFL - ESPN
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones says he wants to increase minority involvement at the ownership level in NFL franchises.

Dolphins' Tyreek Hill calls out Pats fans as some of NFL's 'worst' - ESPN
Outspoken Miami wide receiver Tyreek Hill and the Dolphins defeated the rival New England Patriots 24-17 on Sunday night to improve to 2-0, frustrating "some of the worst fans in the NFL" in Foxborough, Massachusetts, along the way.

Giants' 21-point comeback marred by Saquon Barkley ankle injury - ESPN
The Giants matched their biggest come-from-behind win in franchise history Sunday but also saw star running back Saquon Barkley limp off the field with a right ankle injury with just over a minute to play.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow tweaks calf in Week 2 loss to Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow aggravated a calf injury he suffered in training camp during Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Brandon Staley: ‘Convenient storyline’ to say Chargers’ 0-2 start linked to playoff loss to Jaguars
The Los Angeles Chargers lost another heartbreaker, this time falling in OT to the Titans. Brandon Staley bristled at the notion his team's loss to the Jaguars in the playoffs has anything to do with this year's 0-2 start.

NFL stats and records, Week 2: Colts' Anthony Richardson in elite company; Bills' Josh Allen back on track
NFL Research offers the best nuggets from each week of games in the NFL. Here are the most eye-popping statistical accomplishments from Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season.

QB Zach Wilson after three-INT showing in Jets' loss: 'I need to be better'
Zach Wilson took over the starting reins for Gang Green on Sunday and threw three interceptions while getting sacked thrice in a 30-10 defeat to the host Dallas Cowboys. Still, Wilson and his head coach found positives in his performance, which was hardly