Briefly during Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, it seemed as though the unfortunate narratives that followed the Denver Broncos for their first five games of the 2022 season would be paused for a week. But unfortunately the Broncos and their fans, the rest of the game told a much different story.
In the first quarter, Russell Wilson looked not like the struggling quarterback we’ve seen throughout the season but the star that he’d been for much of the previous decade. Heading into the second quarter, Wilson was 10-for-10, passing for 116 yards with a touchdown and Denver led 10-0. For the rest of the game, he was 5-for-18, passing for 172 yards.
And while the Chargers weren’t exactly an offensive juggernaut, injured kicker Dustin Hopkins made four field goals, including the game-winner in overtime.
Dustin Hopkins — on an injured hamstring — for the Chargers win over the Broncos!
The Chargers never led until the walk-off field goal with 2:38 left in OT. #MNF 🏈 pic.twitter.com/5XBwb054hH
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 18, 2022
And Wilson was by no means the only Denver player to struggle on Monday. The Broncos hurt themselves in many ways. They committed 10 penalties for 151 yards, the most by an NFL team in more than 20 years. And while one lost turnover on the road is normally not a terrible number, Denver’s came at the worst possible time.
It came in overtime on a punt. Instead of getting the ball and being in position to win or at worst, tie, the Broncos turned the ball over deep in their own territory.
Good grief, Broncos. #MNF pic.twitter.com/nUHHQAh46X
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 18, 2022
Three plays later, the game was over.
As has been the case throughout the season, Wilson and the Broncos as a whole were widely panned after this game.
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on the 2-4 Denver Broncos.
Aikman: "They had 11 days to get ready for this game, and we didn't see much improvement… when you watch 'em, and really study 'em, they're not very disciplined in the things that they do." 🏈 pic.twitter.com/EGLoE7tXF4
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 18, 2022
The Broncos will run for a yard on any down other than 3rd & 1.
— RG 📷 (@RyanGreeneDNVR) October 18, 2022
The Chargers deliver Russ and the Broncos a loss on #MNF 📩 pic.twitter.com/880B8pbNwD
— ESPN (@espn) October 18, 2022
Please tell me this is the last island game for Nathaniel Hackett? I mean, this guy should legit be gone at the end of the season.
— dan durkin (@djdurkin) October 18, 2022
The #Broncos gave Russell Wilson a $245 million contract to lock him up for 7 years and they're ranked dead last in points per game in the NFL.
They also scarified their future by giving away two 1st round picks, two 2nd round picks and 3 players.
This. Is. Bad.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 18, 2022
Broncos defense calling a team only meeting but only inviting Russ pic.twitter.com/cmDpC1jQ8v
— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) October 18, 2022
vibe in Broncos Country pic.twitter.com/R2RVq9PZi8
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 18, 2022
Broncos offensive line tonight pic.twitter.com/JYr8UQDd91
— PFF (@PFF) October 18, 2022
Can we PLEASE stop with the Broncos on Prime Time thing???
— Jason Moore (@jasonffl) October 18, 2022
While we’re not entirely done with the Broncos in prime time, we are for a while. The next scheduled prime time game for Denver is in Week 14 against the Kansas City Chiefs. That game, of course, can be flexed out of the Sunday night slot. Given that the Broncos are 2-4 and consistently playing poorly, we’d say a flex out is a distinct possibility if things don’t change quickly.
