Clayton: Sunday was a predictable disaster for the Broncos

Sunday was a disaster for the Broncos.

Everyone knew they went into the game with problems. They were missing three starting offensive linemen and were still in the process of completely rebuilding their linebacker crops.

As a result, the Philadelphia Eagles blew them out 30-13. Those two areas were totally exposed in the loss to the Eagles.

Not having starting tackles Garett Bolles and Bobby Massie, as well as guard Graham Glasgow, took away from the running game and the pass protection. Teddy Bridgewater was sacked once and hit three times, which isn’t bad. But Bridgewater completed 22 of 36 passes for 226 yards.

The Broncos also didn’t have Pat Shurmur calling plays. He missed the game because of a positive test for COVID-19.

The Broncos generated only one touchdown drive and got off to a slow start, problems that have nagged them in the first half of the season. In the first half, the Broncos had only 20 plays for 127 yards. The Eagles had 41 plays for 270 yards. It wasn’t close.

And the defense couldn’t not stop the run, which is predictable with the revamped linebacker corps. The Eagles ran the ball for 214 yards on 40 carries and averaged 5.4 yards a carry. And don’t forget, they did that even though they didn’t have their best running back. Miles Sanders is on injured reserve.

So the Broncos entered their bye week with plenty of questions. They can use the time to get healthier. That should help. But they have to figure things out on offense and defense.

The loss dropped them to 5-5. They have lost five of their last seven game. The pressure is on and the team and coaches need to respond.

Related

Bo Nix looked good to Sean Payton in his first appearance back on the fieldSean Payton provides encouraging update on Riley Moss and his rib injuryBroncos star CB Pat Surtain II again voted a top-10 player in the NFLIn Broncos loss, they got a win in something specific that truly matteredBo Nix happy with ‘solid’ first TD drive, says return ‘was like riding a bike’Sean Payton unhappy after Packers demolish Broncos, sends message to starters