Analysis: Will close loss to Texans lead to Broncos HC Joseph’s dismissal?

A last-second missed field goal doomed the Denver Broncos on Sunday, who head into a bye week after the 19-17 loss to the Houston Texans. Here’s how the 104.3 The Fan staff saw the game:

Mike Pritchard (“Pritchard and Cecil”):

As the Denver Broncos completely turn to youth, they can’t make enough good decisions and plays to get a win at home.

How much patience will the Broncos front office have for the young pups (including their head coach)?

Zach Bye (“Stokley and Zach”):

The Broncos have lost close games this season, but none of the five previous losses on Denver’s resume felt quite like the punch-to-the-gut loss to the Houston Texans.

In a game where Case Keenum played his best game of the season and the Broncos defense came up big time and again, it was a missed field goal by one of the most reliable players on the roster that cost Denver the game.

With the loss, I think John Elway will fire Vance Joseph — not because someone else is going to grab the controls and turn this season around, but rather the standard for the Broncos is 80 stories above the basement level resume VJ has put together in his time as head coach.

You can’t follow up one of the worst seasons in team history by losing six of seven and dropping twice as many games as you win. It just can’t happen. In most places around the league that’s considered unacceptable, but it is especially so here in Denver.

These next couple days could add new meaning to the term “bye week” for Joseph.

Orlando Franklin and John Davis:

Instant reaction to the #Broncos last-second loss to the #Texans from @OFranklin74 and @JDavisD12: pic.twitter.com/k4bMIdHU0U

— 104.3 The FAN (@1043TheFan) November 5, 2018

Cecil Lammey (“Pritchard and Cecil”):

I’m sick and tired of saying, “We’re close.”

That’s what Broncos starting quarterback Case Keenum told me after the game against the Texans. The team has played well against tough teams like the Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Rams, but they’ve fallen short in each of those contests.

There is talent on this team, and the coaching seems to be on point at times, but the Broncos can’t close.

So that begs the question: Are the Broncos close, or are they just not good enough?

Heading into the bye week, Broncos head coach Vance Joseph says he doesn’t see any major changes coming up. With another close loss, Joseph remains on the hot seat and his future with the team is not certain.

If the Broncos want to make a move at head coach, now would be the time to do it. However, after talking to Von Miller and Keenum after the game, it doesn’t seem like these players are doubting their head coach.

“We’re fighters,” Keenum said, and he emphasized that is something Joseph hammered home after another disappointing loss.

DMac (“The Drive”):

The Broncos 2018 season officially came to end with a significant amount of irony, as their most consistent player came up short … or rather wide right.

Brandon McManus couldn’t hit 60-yarders or 50-yarders.

Meanwhile, Demaryius Thomas looked fine as a Texan and Case Keenum, again, looked like Case Keenum.

The twist of the knife is that we have reached the losing apex where winning doesn’t help.

So what changes will be made? We have a week to think about it.

Go Nuggets!

Mike Evans (“Schlereth and Evans”):

Forget about standards and history, Broncos fans need to accept this isn’t a very good football team that is facing a major rebuild.

Firing the coach won’t fix what is really wrong with this team.