Are the Broncos close to contending? Galaxies away? Maybe both.
Dec 20, 2018, 3:20 PM | Updated: Dec 21, 2018, 9:02 am
With a 6-8 record and no playoff berth in sight for a third straight season, it might be hard to imagine the Denver Broncos being anywhere close to a contender in the National Football League.
But, with a solid defense and some key pieces on offense, could the Broncos be closer than expected?
“You’re right there,” said 104.3 The Fan’s Orlando Franklin, filling in on “Stokley and Zach” on Thursday.
Franklin pointed to the Denver defense to make his case, saying that they have “played good football” in 2018.
“You won’t have to do too much on that defensive side of the ball,” Franklin said. “Yeah, you’ve got to draft players. You’ve got to continue to get free agents. But, as far as the building blocks, it’s there on that defense.”
Despite its record, the Broncos have a top-10 defense in the NFL, ranking 10th in points against (299) and eighth in total yards against (5,293).
In the past six games, in which Denver has gone 3-3, the Broncos defense has given up no more than 22 points in a single game, below the league average of 23.4 per game.
On offense, “Stokley and Zach” co-host Zach Bye said on Thursday, they have some “pretty good pieces” as well, including Pro Bowl running back Phillip Lindsay and rookie starters DaeSean Hamilton and Courtland Sutton.
But, in the end, Franklin said the key to a successful organization is stability at the head coach position and quarterback, of which Denver has none.
“Without those two things, you could frame it both ways, that the Broncos are closer than you think, but at the same time, unless they figure out those things, you’re a galaxy away,” Bye said. “Because you’re not going to get it done without those two things.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
