The Denver Broncos lost more than the game on Sunday in Las Vegas. Denver running backs Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams have been the Broncos go to backs so far this season with both sharing nearly an equal load.
On Sunday, Melvin Gordon recorded his fourth fumble in as many games with the most recent being the most detrimental to the game. Just as Denver was making its way across midfield on Sunday in the first half of a close game, Gordon fought for additional yardage after initially being hit on a carry up the middle. As Gordon spun, the momentum jarred the ball loose right into the hands of Amik Robertson who returned the ball 68-yards for the touchdown.
Gordon is now the ire of fans as many have called for his release and/or benching. While it’s understandable that fans want Gordon to never touch the football again in a Broncos uniform, there’s one pressing issue, Javonte Williams. Williams suffered a significant knee injury (torn ACL) that is unlike most torn ACL injuries. Williams injury is not only season-ending, it could very well be problematic for the second year running back in the future.
In addition to the Williams injury, the Broncos are now without their top edge linebacker in Randy Gregory. Gregory came out strong this season with 9 combined tackles, 3 assisted tackles, two forced fumbles and two sacks through four games. Gregory is to undergo arthroscopic surgery after an MRI on Monday. Gregory is expected to be out several weeks to recover while Baron Browning is expected to step in for Gregory.
Sunday’s game was a difficult one for the Broncos defense, as they gave up their first 100-yard rusher. The Broncos were touted as one of the leagues best running stop defenses until Sunday’s game with the Raiders. Despite giving up 100-yards plus on the ground, Denver’s defense was top notch in defending the pass. Pat Surtain II was an absolute lock on Las Vegas’ top receiver Davante Adams. Surtain allowed only 4 catches on seven targets for 44 yards.
Ex NFL cornerback (CB) Richard Sherman praised the second year CB on twitter with this to say, “Every week @ PatSurtainII is putting clinical reps on TAPE against elite WRs!”
This week the Broncos have a short turnaround with another primetime game on Thursday night against the Indianapolis Colts who have a single win against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Colts have losses to Jaguars, and the Titans and enjoyed a bye week last week with nearly two weeks to prepare for the Broncos.
While Denver’s offense is still a major work in progress, fans hope that the depth of their defense will help carry the team until the offense finds itself, however; after last week’s loss a lot of people are questioning their capability of stopping the run.
Thursday’s game is in Denver and scheduled for 6:15 p.m. MST.
In other sports the Denver Nuggets took to the court with both Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. playing in Monday’s preseason loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. It has been over 500 days since Jamal Murray was active and fans were elated to see him return to the court and the feeling was mutual.
The Nuggets are in Chicago this Friday to face the Bulls in game two of the preseason. Game tip-off is at 6 p.m. MST.
