Evans: What happened during the Broncos bye, and what it means
Nov 12, 2018, 10:12 AM | Updated: 10:24 am
» The Oakland Raiders are in obvious tank mode.
They are dismantling everything with the idea of building it back up in time for their move to Las Vegas.
It’s not as obvious, but the Denver Broncos are doing the same thing. Their draft philosophy was a direct shift from what they had been doing the last few years.
This year’s draft, which looks promising, is the kind of organizational reset that goes with the idea of starting over. Plus, the two-year commitment to Case Keenum reflects a team that knows there’s a lot of work to be done and doesn’t want to be tied to someone like him for too long.
» This week’s opponent, the Los Angeles Chargers, are a really good, but not great, team.
They’re a team that will scare the heck out of Kansas City, Pittsburgh, or the New England Patriots when they go into their building for the AFC Divisional Round.
» The Patriots just aren’t the same team away from Foxborough.
They looked slow, soft, and disinterested in a loss to Tennessee.
Fun fact: Of Tom Brady’s 28 career playoff wins, only three have come on the road. If they have to go on the road in these playoffs, they’re done.
» I get the Patrick Mahomes hysteria.
Mark Schlereth and I will literally be eating a dish of crow after the season. But for my money, Drew Brees is the NFL MVP this year.
Brees doesn’t have as many weapons as “Showtime,” but he’s still on pace for 4,500 yards, has a 77 percent completion percentage, has 37 touchdowns, and has only two picks
Plus, I like the New Orleans Saints as my NFC Super Bowl representative.
» Quenton Nelson’s pancake block of a poor Jacksonville player, accompanied by his guttural roar that has gone viral, makes me laugh at all the so called draft “experts” who scoffed at the notion of taking a guard as high as No. 5.
Oh, he can go No. 6, like Indianapolis chose, but not No. 5. Ridiculous.
Nelson has been everything advertised. Andrew Luck looks as good as new, probably because after years of being a piñata back there. He’s now gone four straight games without a sack.
» While on the subject of rookies …
How does my “Two Chubb Theory” look now?
Nick Chubb drafted along with Bradley Chubb? Hmm, even more reason why I should be an NFL general manager.
» I’m watching dynamic rookies like Nelson and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and realizing …
As good as the Broncos draft looks right now, they still could use impact rookies at a bunch of other positions.
It’s further proof there’s been a steady talent drain with the Broncos that has more to do with the current plight of this team than who’s coaching it.
» Looking forward to watching, and hearing, Broncos Country take over the Chargers’ “home” stadium on Sunday.
