The Denver Broncos’ 7-2 record keeps them in the headlines, but it’s the Jekyll and Hyde act getting talked about. At this point, Denver is known for its late-game heroics. Quarterback Bo Nix has four come-from-behind drives to win the game for the Broncos in the fourth quarter. Depending on who you’re speaking with, that’s not enough to write home about. Enter Stephen A. Smith.
Stephen A. Smith Sounds Off on Broncos’ Offense
Smith thinks the Broncos can win the AFC West and knock the Kansas City Chiefs off their throne, but he’s concerned about Denver’s performance in the playoffs.
He said, “I still have my eyes on the playoffs and wondering whether or not that formula that they’ve ridden to success thus far is something that will show up when it really, really counts. Because you can’t struggle for three straight quarters when they got the pieces that they’ve got. You can’t struggle for three quarters and then think you just gonna show up in the fourth quarter repeatedly and get it done.”
Smith’s criticism of the Broncos is valid. While Denver’s defense is No. 1 in PFSN’s Defense Impact Score, the offense is No. 15. In fact, Nix’s PFSN QB Impact Score ranks No. 15 as well. Nix and Co. have struggled in the first three quarters against the Eagles in Week 5, the New York Jets in Week 6, the New York Giants in Week 7, and the Houston Texans in Week 9. That’s almost half of their games.
This type of inconsistency is what’ll get the Broncos bounced from the playoffs in the first round. The Broncos are aiming for more games like their Week 4 game against the Cincinnati Bengals and their Week 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Smith continued, “As the competition stiffens, you’re not gonna be able to get away with that.”
Smith added that he has “trepidation about Denver,” but noted that they are currently two games ahead of the Chiefs. That said, both teams meet up for the first of two clashes in Week 11. Broncos fans hope there’s an outside chance that Pat Surtain II will be back by then, although NFL insiders expect the cornerback to be out 4-6 weeks.
