Three observations from the Broncos loss to the Raiders in Week 16
Dec 27, 2021, 6:23 AM
The Denver Broncos failed to beat the Las Vegas Raiders, losing by a score of 17-13 in Week 16. This game essentially knocks the Broncos out of the playoff race, although they do have less than one percent chance of making the postseason.
After the game, Broncos head coach Vic Fangio seemed oblivious to the fact that his team was done in the playoff race.
“They are disappointed like we all are, but these guys are competitors and fighters. We are going to do everything that we can to get that eighth win.” Fangio said.
Here are the top-three observations from the Broncos-Raiders game.
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Chubb Makes Impact
Bradley Chubb is not a bust. The former first-round pick (2018) has had multiple injuries set back his career, but when he’s healthy he can make plays. As he’s dealt with ankle problems this season, Chubb has taken about a month to get on track. While the 2021 season has gone on, Chubb has gotten better and done more each week – specifically over the last month or so.
On Sunday, Chubb looked more like his former self than he has in quite some time. No, he didn’t record a sack, but he was generating pressure on Raiders quarterback Derek Carr most of the game. Chubb made a play before halftime that set up an easy touchdown for the Broncos – their only touchdown on the day.
With time winding down in the second quarter, the Raiders decided to run a screen play for whatever reason. Instead of running out the clock and heading for the locker room, the Raiders wanted to get more yards via the pass. Chubb did not buy on the fake and was able to perfectly execute an interception that he returned to the one-yard line. It was an incredibly athletic move to sky and reach for the ball, then gather it in and rumble for nearly a touchdown.
After the game, Fangio briefly talked about Chubb and that impact play.
“That was a fantastic play and obviously one that we needed. Just a great individual play on his part,” Fangio said.
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Can’t Run the Ball
The Broncos have forged an identity over the last few weeks. They became a run-heavy team on offense. This set up their quarterbacks to make more plays, and it allowed the defense to get rest on most days. The Broncos had used Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams effectively as their power duo on the ground.
That didn’t work on Sunday. Entering the game against the No. 26 rush defense, many – including myself – felt the Broncos would be able to hammer the Raiders on the ground. Instead, they ran the ball 16 times for 18 yards and one rushing touchdown. It was a pathetic effort on the ground as the Raiders bottled up pretty much anything they tried to do. Quarterback Drew Lock had the longest rush of the day, a mere five-yard gain early on in the contest.
Even though they didn’t run the ball well, it’s not like the Broncos decided to air it out. They had 16 rushing attempts but only 22 passing attempts against the Raiders. They didn’t have the ball that much, and going 1-for-10 on third down meant they didn’t keep the ball that long on Sunday.
Fangio was clearly down on his rushing attack after the game.
“Very disappointing and really when you look at what it was, 14 carries for our running backs for eight yards, Drew (Lock) got 10 yards on scrambles. It was disappointing. We had been running the ball well, they did a good job up front on us. We never could seem to get our backs through the first wave of the defensive line, and we had a hard time finding any room in there,” Fangio said.
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Dropsies Abound
Drew Lock got the start for an injured Teddy Bridgewater on Sunday. He did not play well, but the team did not set him up for much success. Even though the Broncos struggled offensively, Lock was arguably their best player on that side of the ball. He faced some impossible odds on third-and-long plays, and Lock tried to his best but to no avail.
Some of the biggest problems for Lock came from his receivers dropping passes. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy dropped a pass on the sideline that would’ve moved the chains. He was frustrated after the play, but hopefully he doesn’t take to Twitter to complain. It was his fault. He let his quarterback down, and he’s the first-round pick who was supposed to be the best in his draft class – in a wide receiver group that was arguably the best to come into the league.
Lock’s college teammate, tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, also dropped a big pass that would’ve moved the chains. Hell, that pass to Okwuegbunam could’ve scored with the way he was running but the big tight end lost concentration and saw the ball fall to the turf. Lock wasn’t great on Sunday, but he would’ve been helped greatly if his receivers would’ve caught the passes he put on the mark.
After the game, Fangio was not very complimentary of his passing game.
“I would say up and down, it’s hard to say anything. When you get 158 yards of offense and eight first downs, it’s hard to say anything good about the offense,” Fangio said.
