Mile High Report - Chargers 23, Broncos 9 Week 17: Everything we knowBy Fans, For Fans....Your Source For Denver Broncos News and Commenthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50905/mhr-fav.png2018-12-31T07:39:03-07:00http://www.milehighreport.com/rss/stream/179216382018-12-31T07:39:03-07:002018-12-31T07:39:03-07:00BREAKING: Broncos have fired Vance Joseph
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<figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After two of the worst seasons in Denver Broncos history, John Elway has reportedly informed Vance Joseph that he has been fired. </p> <p id="e7gHaz">After an embarrassing final quarter of the 2018 season, the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> have made the move to fire Head Coach Vance Joseph after two very challenging 10-loss seasons leading a franchise just two years removed from a <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> title.</p>
<p id="Cu9Hci">“I spoke with Vance this morning and thanked him for all of his hard work as our head coach,” John Elway said on Monday. “Although we decided to make this change, I believe Vance is a good football coach who has a bright future in this league.</p>
<p id="TaP5dA">“Vance made a lot of strides and deserves credit for how hard and competitively the team played this season,” Elway added. “There’s always going to be a high standard here—The bottom line is we need to win more football games. We’re excited about the foundation that’s being built and look forward to putting in the work to get the Broncos back on the winning track.”</p>
<p id="rmsgxY">Joseph’s tenure has been one filled with gaffs and questionable decision-making, but what ultimately led to his dismissal was his inability to get the team to play up to its potential in big games. His 11-21 record is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Denver_Broncos_head_coaches">the worst winning percentage</a> of any Broncos head coach who coached for more than a full season since 1972. </p>
<aside id="M9OoiG"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Broncos head coach: Tracking the latest news, reports and rumors","url":"https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/12/31/18162851/denver-broncos-head-coach-tracker"}]}'></div></aside><p id="x0JlRI">Coincidentally, the Broncos locked in their first back-to-back losing season since 1971 and their first back-to-back 10-loss season since 1967. Those are not records any head coach would want to set under their watch. </p>
<p id="QQDfcS">It’s been a tough two years, but Joseph was appreciative of his opportunity and expressed support for the organization and the fans.</p>
<p id="BhR30k">“I want to thank John Elway, Joe Ellis and the organization for the opportunity to serve as the head coach of the Denver Broncos,” Joseph said on Monday. “It’s disappointing not being able to finish what we started, but I’m incredibly proud of the players and coaches for how they fought and worked every week. I also appreciate the support staffs who put in countless hours behind the scenes helping our team. This is a special place with great fans. Holly and I, along with our entire family, truly enjoyed being part of this community and wish the Broncos all the best.”</p>
<p id="odOsTN">The search for the next head coach of the Denver Broncos begins immediately. </p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/12/31/18134721/vance-joseph-fired-broncosTim Lynch2018-12-30T22:15:37-07:002018-12-30T22:15:37-07:00The one big takeaway from the Broncos loss to the Chargers? It is time for change!
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<figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It is time to fire Vance Joseph, but more than that, it is time to rebuild.</p> <div id="spzgmf"><iframe src="https://www.art19.com/shows/6bbdfa18-b597-4651-864d-44cee4939029/episodes/19ef7189-740f-4f52-b8de-628a6860344b/embed?theme=dark-orange" style="width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>
<p id="Km4FEp">Let’s talk about endings. The end of the 2018 season reached its merciful conclusion when the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> finally gasped their last against the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a>. In truth, the season was over long before, but they still have to play the games, even if the Broncos don’t actually show up. In the season’s dying breath, the Broncos showed why there must be wholesale changes to the franchise moving forward.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The 2018 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Broncos</a> season has finally ended. On the latest <a href="https://twitter.com/MileHighReport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MileHighReport</a> Radio Podcast, <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamMalnati16?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AdamMalnati16</a> & I give it the sendoff it deserves in the hopes of giving Vance Joseph the sendoff he deserves. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BroncosCountry?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BroncosCountry</a>, has Vance Joseph been fired yet? <a href="https://t.co/ZW8YXbSPd0">https://t.co/ZW8YXbSPd0</a></p>— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) <a href="https://twitter.com/IanStClair/status/1079595109795037185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2018</a>
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<p id="2UOVt2">As Ian St. Clair and I broke down the final game of the season on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/adam-ian-give-broncos-2018-season-tribute-it-deserves/id1272464968?i=1000426750031&mt=2">the MHR Radio Podcast,</a> it was obvious that a theme has run through the season. The theme of the season could not be explained any better than the results of the Broncos second score of the game. At 14-3 in the 4th quarter, Denver finally gets into the end zone. Rather than kick the extra point, Vance Joseph elects to go for a two point conversion. </p>
<p id="FKrVlw">The most 2018 Broncos thing that could have happened ensues. <span>Case Keenum</span> fires to his left, and <span>Casey Hayward</span> wrestles the ball away from <span>Courtland Sutton</span>, skips out of the tackle and races down the sideline for a pick-2. The Broncos went from out of the game, to back in the game, to out of the game in just this sequence.</p>
<p id="eEYMfZ">That means the defense actually only gave up 14 points. The other 9 came off of the pick-2 and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. And that, Broncos Country, is the perfect metaphor for the 2018 season. There are no stats necessary. No breakdown of individual plays. Only the sad realization that each of us has had to endure not one, but two full seasons of ineptitude. </p>
<p id="IYp4dE">I am not sitting here telling you that we deserve better, although I might have said it a time or two. I am telling you that what the Broncos have put on the field for the last two years has been the epitome of unacceptable. If it continues, eventually the fans will become numb to it. It becomes expected, if not accepted among the fans. When that happens, it takes a long time to get out of that quagmire.</p>
<p id="h6iYn4">At this time, I can only offer the same solution that many fans have offered, <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/12/30/18162183/time-for-broncos-to-fire-vance-joseph">which is to fire Vance Joseph</a>. He’ll be fine. He is on to Cincinnati anyway. In time, more solutions will come, but with one move, all of Broncos Country will be able to get that bad taste out of their mouth, even if it is just for a brief moment.</p>
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<em>The MHR Radio Podcast is now on </em><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgoo.gl%2FvLyHyQ" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em><strong>iTunes,</strong></em></a><em> </em><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgoo.gl%2F1Si4Yg" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em><strong>Google Play</strong></em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgoo.gl%2FpQpDHg" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em><strong>Spotify,</strong></em></a><em> </em><a href="https://www.acast.com/mile-high-report"><em><strong>Acast,</strong></em></a><em> </em><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgoo.gl%2FD33Fa2" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em><strong>Stitcher</strong></em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgoo.gl%2FKjY5W6" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em><strong>TuneIn</strong></em></a><em> and a few other podcast hosts. Please subscribe to the one that fits your fancy, and also rate and review what you hear.</em>
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<h4 id="PrsCvo">What is your one big takeaway from the Broncos loss to the Chargers in the 2018 season finale?</h4>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/12/30/18162394/it-is-time-for-changeAdam Malnati2018-12-30T21:31:42-07:002018-12-30T21:31:42-07:002 winners, 6 losers in Broncos season-ending loss
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<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Broncos loss gives the franchise back-to-back double-digit loss seasons for the first time in 50 years. </p> <div id="kdE7qd"><iframe src="https://player.megaphone.fm/VMP5166139496" style="width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>
<p id="GgbPmg">The end is here. </p>
<p id="FnmaGK">The 2018 season is mercifully over, but the real excitement starts now. How long until John Elway makes the overdue change at head coach for the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a>? </p>
<p id="6gjsYV">After the latest debacle for this franchise, this time a 23-9 loss to the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a>, major changes need to happen. The Broncos finish the 2018 season 6-10. Denver has now had back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in 46 years, and now has back-to-back double-digit losing seasons for the first time in 50. </p>
<p id="svmXE7">Vance Joseph has secured his place in Broncos’ history. Hopefully his tenure ends for good come Monday.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Broncos fans who don't like Vance Joseph will be happy, tomorrow.</p>— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/1079533217898610688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2018</a>
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<h2 id="PnttCc">Winners </h2>
<h3 id="OkteTw">Denver’s defense </h3>
<p id="ji56q4">The guys on the defensive side of the ball did their job and put the team in a position to win on Sunday. The Broncos defense forced three turnovers (one of the four was the Chargers defense fumbling) and came to play.</p>
<h3 id="x2tlyr">Mutton bustin’ </h3>
<p id="BmURRJ">By all accounts this halftime show was the most exciting thing to watch on the Mile High turf on Sunday. Too bad CBS didn’t have that on TV. </p>
<h2 id="Wx5Tlz">Losers </h2>
<h3 id="yVZJRR">Vance Joseph </h3>
<p id="PoED7M">This two-year error can’t end soon enough. Elway just needs to do it and get it over with. Plus, the last thing anyone wants is for him to sleep on this decision and change his mind again. </p>
<h3 id="sjCQ2A">Bill Musgrave </h3>
<p id="HgWYl7">Rinse, lather, repeat. He needs to go with Joseph. </p>
<h3 id="gJGb1I">
<span>Case Keenum</span> </h3>
<p id="Pg2Whx">The Broncos quarterback will more than likely get another season in Denver, but he was awful in the final game of the season. There were plenty of metaphors for this team over the season, but the interception on the two-point conversion is near the top of the list. </p>
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<span>Garett Bolles</span> (or is it Garett Holds?) </h3>
<p id="qsBnMh">After two years, the left tackle is doing the same ol’ shit — holding. The franchise won’t give up on him, but he needs to make huge strides in the offseason. Anything less from <span>Bolles</span> is unacceptable. </p>
<h3 id="n7F4sy">The Broncos </h3>
<p id="WgOtUT">Oh how far this team has fallen in three years. There isn’t one person to blame for this failure, it’s on every single person in the organization. What will be done to fix it? With no owner, no leadership at the top, no coach or quarterback, it’s hard to see how this changes. </p>
<h3 id="UqD4Fy">The fans </h3>
<p id="aiEYo4">Not since the 1960s and early ‘70s have we seen the Broncos sink as low as they have over the last two seasons. At least it’s over, we can wash this stank off and get ready for 2019 like we always do — with the expectation of another Lombardi Trophy. </p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/12/30/18162045/broncos-chargers-winners-losers-week-17Ian St. Clair2018-12-30T19:57:24-07:002018-12-30T19:57:24-07:00It’s time for the Denver Broncos to fire Vance Joseph
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<figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Fire Vance Joseph. PLEASE.</p> <p id="PdpgCf">Pssssst... The following is for John Elway only. </p>
<p id="bAb8rF">It’s time to fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph.</p>
<p id="0sn0sL">It’s time to fire Vance Joseph.</p>
<p id="cA8233">Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph.</p>
<p id="ozgA2E">Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. </p>
<p id="bbgq3n">Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph.</p>
<p id="DlPXqh">Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph. Fire Vance Joseph.</p>
<p id="UhQ5Jl">What more do you really need to see? </p>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/12/30/18162183/time-for-broncos-to-fire-vance-josephJess Place2018-12-30T17:35:05-07:002018-12-30T17:35:05-07:00Broncos vs. Chargers: 5 things we learned
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<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Denver Broncos nightmare 2018 campaign has come to and end with a 23-9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.</p> <p id="WN9dXp">It seems like only yesterday that the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> were beginning their 2018 campaign. They say time flies by when you are having fun but there hasn’t been much cause for celebration across Broncos Country this year. After enduring a tumultuous season the Broncos hosted the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> for their last game. To nobody’s surprise the Broncos wound up on the losing end by a final score of 23-9 and finish the season with a 6-10 record.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsDEN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsDEN</a> <a href="https://t.co/G9P4882beF">pic.twitter.com/G9P4882beF</a></p>— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) <a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1079534753680744448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="cYfS7W"><strong>1. One play of the game epitomizes the Broncos’ 2018 season</strong></h3>
<p id="iJadpj">Over the course of the season it has been extraordinarily difficult to find positive things to write about in respect to the Broncos. I’m generally a very optimistic person but at the same time an absolute realist. Outside a few highlight individual performances the team has been an absolute dumpster fire. If there was one play all season long that epitomizes the Broncos’ woeful 2018 campaign — the below clip would be it.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A 2-point conversion the other way!<br><br>(Via <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFL</a>)<a href="https://t.co/xM48FkWVLJ">pic.twitter.com/xM48FkWVLJ</a></p>— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1079528101816791040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2018</a>
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<p id="6nOTkO">A two-point conversion attempt winding up as an interception and two points for the Chargers. It’s symbolic of a narrative I started up a long time ago which is that the Broncos’ are their own worst enemy. Not only that, it goes to show that <span>Case Keenum</span> was a tremendously poor investment and that the franchise is going absolutely nowhere with him at the helm. Alas, the Broncos might be stuck with him next season unless John Elway can pull a rabbit out of the hat and find themselves a franchise quarterback in the upcoming draft.</p>
<h3 id="t4fA44"><strong>2. The Broncos have secured a top ten draft selection</strong></h3>
<p id="FvLeRn">The draft fans of Mile High Report are going to love this quick tidbit. With their loss to the Chargers and several other teams <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/12/30/18161813/denver-broncos-top-ten-pick-2019-nfl-draft">helping them out</a> earlier today, the Broncos have secured the tenth selection in the 2019 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>. The strength of schedule between the Broncos and the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> is extremely close — so once all the games are finalized there is a small chance that Denver could move to the ninth slot. The Broncos have additional selections in the fourth, fifth and seventh rounds which provide them with some of the most draft capital of any team in the league. </p>
<p id="z1lyDD">The <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641777&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fncaaf%2F2018%2F12%2F06%2Fcollege-football-underclassmen-entering-2019-nfl-draft%2F2165226002%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.milehighreport.com%2F2018%2F12%2F30%2F18161840%2Fbroncos-chargers-5-things-learned" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">deadline for underclassmen to declare</a> for the draft is January 14. Once that happens we will have a better idea of who is eligible and what positions are stacked with talent. Hopefully the Broncos can repeat what they did last April and have another great draft class. In the coming weeks expect a lot more draft content to be rolling live here at Mile High Report. Mock drafts, scouting reports and much more is on the horizon folks so get ready!</p>
<h3 id="r2mkmL"><strong>3. Garret Bolles’ continues to be a major problem at offensive tackle</strong></h3>
<p id="Q8v0KM">In the 2017 NFL Draft the Denver Broncos selected an inexperienced but high-ceiling player in Garret Bolles out of the University of Utah. It wasn’t a pick I was overly fond up, but since his selection I along with many others have hoped he could become a franchise caliber left tackle. In his rookie season he was one of the <a href="https://www.footballdb.com/stats/penalties-player.html?yr=2017&tm=">most penalized</a> offensive lineman in the National Football League. It was a rough year but many were willing to give him a pass all things considered. That being said, there was no question Bolles had to perform better in his second season. </p>
<p id="fx2XLx">Unfortunately, the progression many were looking forward to seeing hasn’t transpired. His <a href="https://www.footballdb.com/stats/penalties-player.html?yr=2018&tm=">penchant for penalties</a> is still a major problem for the Broncos’ offense. Whether it is false starts or holds, Bolles’ inability to play disciplined football has cost the team dearly for the past two years. When you factor in his sub-par play along with the lack of long-term quality depth the team lacks at the position — offensive tackle should be an early priority for the Broncos in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Broncos likely won’t have a shot at top collegiate tackle <span>Jonah Williams</span> unless they were to trade up. That means you will want to get to know prospects such as <span>Greg Little</span>, <span>David Edwards</span>, <span>Jawaan Taylor</span>, <span>Dalton Risner</span> or <span>Yodny Cajuste</span> — all of whom are likely Top 50 selections.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Broncos LT Garret Bolles was flagged 15 times overall as a rookie in '17, 10 of those for holding. With the two penalties on the last possession he has now been flagged 13 times overall this season with 11 of those for holding.</p>— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jeff_Legwold/status/1079505142788079616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="3O8SaP">
<strong>4. </strong><span><strong>Royce Freeman</strong></span><strong> featured heavily with </strong><span><strong>Phillip Lindsay</strong></span><strong> sidelined</strong>
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<p id="MbEIaS">With <span>Phillip Lindsay</span> sidelined with a wrist injury the Broncos’ offense featured a heavy dose of <span>Royce Freeman</span> against the Chargers. He had 25 total touches for 103 yards. There is no doubt that Lindsay is the Broncos’ main back when he returns next season but Freeman has proven himself to be a quality second option. The Broncos’ offense has a solid foundation for the future with <span>Freeman</span>, <span>Lindsay</span> as well as <span>Courtland Sutton</span> and <span>DaeSean Hamilton</span>, but another receiving threat in addition to a legitimate tight end could help propel the team’s offense to greater heights in 2019. A quarterback and a competent offensive coordinator would help too.</p>
<h3 id="YK9tOF"><strong>5. Goodbye Vance Joseph!</strong></h3>
<p id="x9KFmM">If today’s sloppy football performance on top of the ineptitude he has displayed since taking the reins of the franchise doesn’t get him fired I would be absolutely stunned. If he is fired, the Broncos will be on their fourth head coach search since Elway has taken over the football operations for the team. So I ask you this Broncos Country, who would you like to see as Denver’s next head coach?</p>
<p id="cWHfrE"><em><strong>It’s been an awful season to endure, but feel free to let it all out in the comments section. Talk about the draft, talk about a new head coach, share your plans for the future because that begins now.</strong></em></p>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/12/30/18161840/broncos-chargers-5-things-learnedChristopher Hart2018-12-30T17:29:20-07:002018-12-30T17:29:20-07:00RECAP: Broncos mercifully complete 2018 season with a dud
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<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Denver Broncos offense wanted no part of winning against the Los Angeles Chargers as they overcome a strong defensive performance to ensure they finished 6-10 on the season. </p> <p id="KNIGF4">The <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> saw their season come to a merciful end in home loss to the playoff-bound <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a>. Their 6-10 season ensures their first back-to-back double digit loss season in 51 years and yes, it was that ugly every step of the way.</p>
<p id="WaEF7g">The 23-9 home defeat all but assured John Elway might be calling Vance Joseph into his office as you read these words as the franchise looks to turn the page on the worst two-season run since 1966-67. </p>
<h3 id="pV28Uq">First Quarter</h3>
<p id="BpKkAb">Denver’s defense still showed it could compete with any team on the field and they successfully shut down <span>Philip Rivers</span> and the Chargers offense all game long. The only time the Chargers offense scored was after a Broncos offensive fumble set them up at the 17-yard line. </p>
<p id="T4WoP4">In the first quarter, the Chargers did nothing good offensively. The Broncos defense came up with two interceptions and stifled <span>Rivers</span> and the Chargers offense all quarter long. It would <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/12/30/18161828/chargers-broncos-first-quarter-live-updates">end in a scoreless tie</a>.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">That's nine straight games with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Broncos</a> punting on their first drive <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AP_NFL</a></p>— Arnie Stapleton (@arniestapleton) <a href="https://twitter.com/arniestapleton/status/1079491693806866434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="VTReUH">Second Quarter</h3>
<p id="18xx8q">While the defense continued its dominating performance over the Chargers offense, the Broncos offense <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/12/30/18161887/chargers-broncos-second-quarter-live-updates">did everything it could to give the game away</a>. Despite gaining over 100 yards in offense in the second quarter, <span>Case Keenum</span> one hopped a backwards pass to <span>Royce Freeman</span> that was ultimately scooped up and taken in for a touchdown by a Chargers defender. </p>
<p id="zCxBY1">After that, the strangest sequence of events saw <span>Keenum</span> throw an interception in the end zone with the Chargers defense fumbling it back to Denver who then saw their drive end in a sack and field goal by <span>Brandon McManus</span>. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">First and goal at the 5. Three straight passes ending in an interception. Then the Chargers defender did something stupid. lol Broncos ball at the 20. Maybe they'll run it this time...</p>— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/MileHighReport/status/1079508600165257216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="ANj8F1">Third Quarter</h3>
<p id="1LIIgB">Not satisfied having given the Chargers a 7-3 lead, the Broncos offense made sure to fumble the ball inside their own 20-yard line that gifted <span>Rivers</span> an opportunity to put up a two score lead. He did just that four plays later. </p>
<p id="mNx9ux"><a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/12/30/18161967/chargers-broncos-third-quarter-live-updates">Despite that 14-3 lead</a>, the Chargers offense continued to be smothered by the Broncos defense. Every time it seemed like they would break through, Denver’s defense would make a play to set them back. </p>
<p id="NOAGua">Meanwhile, Broncos Stadium at Mile High had never been so empty.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Look at how empty this stadium is... Embarrassing. I’m sure companies are clamoring to put their name to this ghost town. <a href="https://t.co/GyZupjZ5ya">pic.twitter.com/GyZupjZ5ya</a></p>— Jess Place (@Jezru) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jezru/status/1079519392658944002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="3AWLCc">Fourth Quarter</h3>
<p id="UUo9F0">As frustrating as all of that was, the Broncos have always had a knack for putting up offensive points in the second half. That all started five minutes into the fourth quarter when <span>Keenum</span> hit a wide open <span>Andy Janovich</span> on a touchdown pass to bring the game back to within reach.</p>
<p id="kytvbY">So what does this team do next? Keenum, on the two-point conversion try, throws a pick in the end zone that is promptly returned 101-yards for the two-point score for Los Angeles to put keep them up by a touchdown 16-9. It didn’t get better from there, either.</p>
<p id="7IOaip">Here’s a shot of me when it comes to watching the 2018 Broncos:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I just can't even do this anymore today... <a href="https://t.co/r6r8SpGtIM">pic.twitter.com/r6r8SpGtIM</a></p>— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/MileHighReport/status/1079526641808814080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/12/30/18162017/broncos-chargers-recapTim Lynch2018-12-30T16:43:18-07:002018-12-30T16:43:18-07:00Broncos offense gives the Chargers more points in the third quarter
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<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Denver Broncos get the ball first to start the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers. We will update the game here live.</p> <p id="TGvk4t">The <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> offense racked up over 100 yards in the second quarter, but gift the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> a defensive touchdown and came away with a mere field goal to show for their efforts. </p>
<p id="hrDGHY">Down 7-3 to start the third quarter, the Broncos offense will get another chance to put points on the board to open things up. </p>
<p id="iwDpi6">Things got on track early with a short pass underneath to <span>Royce Freeman</span> for a solid gain, then <span>Case Keenum</span> went down the seam to <span>Tim Patrick</span> for a big gain to midfield. Another offensive holding call on the Broncos, set them back from there. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tim Patrick back in the game, and his reception gets the Broncos to the LA 48-yard line.</p>— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaseDenver/status/1079514374195347456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a>
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<p id="bBeTFv"><span>Keenum</span> kept things nice a short needing 20 yards for a first down. On third and 16, found <span>Matt LaCosse</span> underneath who tried to weave his way for a first down coming up four yards shy of the first down marker to bring out <span>Colby Wadman</span> for the punt.</p>
<p id="RR5iTu">The Broncos defense saw <span>Jeff Holland</span> and <span>Shaquil Barrett</span> ruin the Chargers next drive, but the glee didn’t last long as <span>Tim Patrick</span> fumbled while being gang tackled to give the Chargers the ball with great field position at the Broncos 17-yard line.</p>
<p id="G6wNg8">Four plays later, the Chargers would likely put up an insurmountable lead on the Broncos with a touchdown pass by <span>Philip Rivers</span>.</p>
<p id="KfqOml"><strong>Chargers 14, Broncos 3.</strong></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Look at how empty this stadium is... Embarrassing. I’m sure companies are clamoring to put their name to this ghost town. <a href="https://t.co/GyZupjZ5ya">pic.twitter.com/GyZupjZ5ya</a></p>— Jess Place (@Jezru) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jezru/status/1079519392658944002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a>
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<p id="5Szyfx">With the third quarter winding down, Broncos Stadium at Mile High began to look a lot like an <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> home game.</p>
<p id="7cRUQF">Down two scores, the Broncos offense woke up some with a few good runs by <span>Freeman</span> and a timely catch by <span>Tim Patrick</span> as they crossed midfield with a minute to go in the third quarter. </p>
<p id="uyz2mk">The quarter would end after a Case Keenum sack and a short throw underneath on third and 14 that had no chance of gaining a first down. </p>
<p id="OvCfVQ">Your 2018 Denver Broncos in one sentence right there.</p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/12/30/18161967/chargers-broncos-third-quarter-live-updatesTim Lynch2018-12-30T15:51:46-07:002018-12-30T15:51:46-07:00Broncos are showing everyone how bad they can be in the second quarter
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<figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers finished the first quarter scoreless. We’ll update things live from the second quarter here.</p> <p id="ICEGC3">The <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> defense <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/12/30/18161828/chargers-broncos-first-quarter-live-updates">came out strong in the first quarter</a> with two interceptions on <span>Philip Rivers</span> and holding the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> to no points. Unfortunately, the Broncos offense came out and did the usual things they do like knocking themselves out of field goal range with an offensive holding penalty and many, many punts.</p>
<p id="42DGFR">Fortunately, the offense woke up some on the next possession to start the second quarter to quickly find themselves out past midfield with a first down at the Chargers 46-yard line. <span>Royce Freeman</span> was in the mix frequently to get them that far, but that would be as far as the offense would get.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Royce Freeman with four receptions for 23 yards in early going. He's always possessed three-down skills. Bill Musgrave was so terribly un-creative with the guy this season. And, no, this is not a knock on Philip Lindsay.</p>— Brad Evans (@YahooNoise) <a href="https://twitter.com/YahooNoise/status/1079499932917063680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a>
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<p id="UqrXBu"><span>Case Keenum</span> got the ball within reach of <span>Courtland Sutton</span> deep, but the ball flew threw his hands incomplete to bring out another punt for the Broncos. </p>
<p id="vPE1MZ"><span>Colby Wadman</span> continued to earn his paycheck to pin the Chargers at their own 10-yard line to start their next drive. The Chargers quickly found themselves out to their own 35-yard line before being faced with a third and 10 coming up a yard short for yet another punt.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Right. Through. The. Hands. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsDEN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsDEN</a> <a href="https://t.co/0mTbyYVt7h">pic.twitter.com/0mTbyYVt7h</a></p>— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonPerna/status/1079501990621638656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a>
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<p id="wdvu79">The Broncos got things going on the next drive, with <span>Royce Freeman</span> touching the ball on half of the Broncos first 24 offensive plays. The game was nearly broken wide open with a 54-yard touchdown run by <span>Devontae Booker</span>, but it was called back by another offensive holding call. </p>
<p id="49y0D5"><span>Garett Bolles</span>, <span>Billy Turner</span>, and <span>Connor McGovern</span> had the trifecta of holding calls in the first half up to this point in the first half. <span>Bolles</span> would be called with his second holding call on back-to-back plays to kill all momentum for the Broncos.</p>
<p id="vipQfZ">On first and 30, <span>Keenum</span> threw a backwards pass in the dirt to <span>Freeman</span> that was scooped and scored on by the Chargers to blow the game wide open for Los Angeles.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Garett Bolles could have been called for a third straight hold, but instead the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chargers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chargers</a> scored.</p>— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoRo_NFL/status/1079504490288594945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a>
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<p id="Vn3hEF"><strong>Chargers 7, Broncos 0.</strong></p>
<p id="YBFpv4">The Broncos next drive saw <span>Tim Patrick</span> go down with an injury, making <span>River Cracraft</span> the teams #3 wide receiver. <span>Keenum</span> wasted little time lobbing a ball up into double coverage at the five-yard line where <span>Cracraft</span> came down with it for the first and goal opportunity. </p>
<p id="c9YTzI"><span>DaeSean Hamilton</span> dropped an easy pass that would have been a touchdown on first down. On second down, the Broncos ignored any semblance of running it and it followed another incomplete pass by Keenum. The predictable third down interception came next, but then the Chargers did something even more dumb and the Broncos ended up with the ball back at the 20-yard line.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">First and goal at the 5. Three straight passes ending in an interception. Then the Chargers defender did something stupid. lol Broncos ball at the 20. Maybe they'll run it this time...</p>— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/MileHighReport/status/1079508600165257216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a>
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<p id="bHE87j">The Chargers defender attempted to lateral to a teammate and the fumble was recovered by the Broncos. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I guess noone ever told Jahleel Addae to kneel the ball down in the endzone. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Broncos</a> retain possession. <a href="https://t.co/WGDL4eOKYq">pic.twitter.com/WGDL4eOKYq</a></p>— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoRo_NFL/status/1079508660882231297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a>
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<p id="18bPpg">After getting the ball down to the Chargers nine yard line with a few checkdowns, Keenum kept things in front him with a short pass underneath for four yards. On second down with 33 seconds to go, Keenum hit <span>Booker</span> on another checkdown for a one-yard gain. </p>
<p id="PGK9BA">On third down, Keenum wisely took the sack to bring out <span>Brandon McManus</span> for the field goal to get the first half over with.</p>
<p id="XSv280"><strong>Chargers 7, Broncos 3.</strong></p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/12/30/18161887/chargers-broncos-second-quarter-live-updatesTim Lynch