2015 Broncos Season — Week 3

Here's my look at last night's win in Detroit.

Week Three: Broncos 24, Detroit Lions 12
Season Record: 3-0 (1-0 Home)
Key Play: In the fourth quarter, with the Broncos us 17-12 and the Lions driving, quarterback Matthew Stafford looked for star receiver Calvin Johnson over the middle. Instead, Broncos' safety David Bruton, Jr., cut off the pass, tipped it in the air and made the interception. The Broncos followed with a touchdown pass from Peyton Manning to Owen Daniels to ice the game.

Recap: It's not how you play, it's whether or not you win the game. You play to win the game. Pre-season, even the local reporters figured the Broncos would be 1-2 after their first three games. Instead, the Broncos are 3-0. It hasn't been pretty, but that's the way it goes sometimes. We might be the worst of the undefeated teams, but we're part of a handful of squads that have yet to experience defeat. That's important. The Broncos' back half of the schedule is brutal, at times, so to see the team piling up wins while still trying to get on track is a hopeful sign. But we do need to get on track. The defense has carried the team to this point, but the offense must improve. I was disappointed to see such a lackluster rushing effort against a team that had, to that point, but very giving on the ground. And the Broncos' passing game was marginally better, and Manning looked more comfortable in the pistol/shot gun format, but it's still not the level of crispness needed for the long term. The Broncos are improving, but there's still plenty of work to be done. Fortunately, at 3-0, there is an absence of panic, which is a helpful sign.

Game Balls:
* Demaryius Thomas. Thomas made a crucial fumble, though that was a hustle play that backfired. And he had a few drops. But the Broncos' ace receiver showed why he is so valuable with nine receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown. It was that touchdown — a 45-yard strike on fourth and one — that helped give the Broncos a cushion going into the half.
* David Bruton, Jr. Bruton gave up a big pass completion to Eric Ebron during the fourth-quarter drive, but he bounced right back with a hustle play that helped seal the win.
* DeMarcus Ware. Ware is in rare form, and it's meant everything to the Broncos' front. His 1.5 sacks early in the first half helped set the tone for the Broncos' defense.
* Bennie Fowler. The young receiver was dynamite in the preseason and showed why with four grabs for 50 yards in Sunday's win.

Lingering Concerns:
* Running Game. The Broncos can't run the ball, and that's a problem. Part of it last night felt like there weren't enough carries. But part of it, still, is the result. The Broncos need to run to have long-term success.
* Offensive Line. It's a young line that's learning in a trial by fire manner. But the line needs to get better. The long-term success of the team depends on it.