BRONCOS

Clayton: Vic Fangio is trying to sell the idea that the Broncos are close

Jan 4, 2022, 2:38 PM

With his job in question, Vic Fangio is trying to do his best this week to speak up about the team. He’s trying to do a sales job.

It’s going to be tough. The Broncos have finished in fourth place in the AFC West. That isn’t going to change. As great a job as he’s done with the defense, the Broncos have missed the playoffs in his three years as head coach.

While the Broncos have gone from a five-win team in 2020 to seven wins this season, a lot of that had to do with the schedule. The Broncos had the three easy games open the season. They beat Detroit in the second half of the season. But the Broncos are 1-4 in games in the AFC West and will drop to 1-5 if they lose to Kanas City this weekend. They are 3-8 in the AFC. Not good.

Still Fangio tried to sell a different picture Monday. He was asked how the team is now compared to earlier this season.

“Yeah, it’s been tough, it’s been disappointing,” Fangio said when asked about his team being eliminated from playoff contention. “We played three games that are going to be in the playoffs and fought them tooth and nail.”

He went on to suggest that the Broncos aren’t far away.

“We had some tight games that were three points or five points and that shows me that we are close,” Fangio added. “We’re close to being there. We’ve got to find a way to get over the top and that involves players making another play or two. That involves coaches making better calls in a situation or two per game. But I believe in his team. We are on the cusp of getting to the point where we want to be.”

We will find out so much more on Monday.

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Clayton: Vic Fangio is trying to sell the idea that the Broncos are close