2017 Broncos' Season, Week 16


For the Broncos, it's two steps forward, half a mile back this season. Week 16 kept that theme.

Week 16: Washington Redskins 27, Broncos 11
Season Record: 5-10 (4-3 Home)
Key Play: In the fourth quarter, with the Broncos trailing 13-3, Kirk Cousins connected with Josh Doctson on a 48-yard touchdown strike with just over 12 minutes left. The Broncos fell behind 20-3 and never recovered.

Recap: The Broncos saw their possible future franchise quarterback play on Sunday. He wore No. 8 for the Redskins, and he threw for three touchdowns against the somewhat revised No Fly Zone. His team also came away with a 16-point home win and clearly looked better. If Kirk Cousins comes available, the Broncos are expected to make a serious play for him. And judging by what we saw Sunday, he'd be a huge upgrade. But one that comes at a cost. Still, that's a discussion for a future date. For now, we can look at what the Broncos actually put on the field. Brock Osweiler looked like a guy who deserved a chance to start after he led the team to comeback win in Week 15. But he dropped to 0-4 as a starter this season and looked deplorable in the loss today. That about sums up the Broncos this season. Paxton Lynch is 0-1 and can't get on the field and stay healthy. Brock is 0-4 and looks like a middling backup. Trevor Siemian is 5-5 as a starter, but that doesn't really tell the tale. The truth is he isn't a franchise quarterback, or probably NFL starter material. The Broncos have three guys at the most important position, but they really don't have anyone. And that's the tale of this lost season. But the good news is the loss helps put the Broncos back in the hunt for a Top 5 Draft Pick. So whether we get Cousins or not, we should end up with a high-quality prospect. Of course, none of that will mater if the Broncos don't get better coaching. To my way of thinking, that means changing staffs. But word is that may not happen. That leaves me deflated about 2018. But, again, that's a discussion for another week. One more game to go, a home loss scheduled against the Chiefs on Sunday, December 31.

 Game Balls:
* C.J. Anderson. I wish the coaches liked Anderson as much as the rest of us. The guy had 70 yards rushing in the first half and finished with just 88. But he's tantalizingly close to his first 1,000 yard season, a bright spot amidst a lost season.
* Von Miller and Aqib Talib. The pair are the Broncos' lone Pro Bowlers, and have helped carry the defense despite a frustrating season.

Lingering Concerns:
* Paxton Lynch. I don't think Lynch is the answer, but he's started three games in two years. We need to see him play to see what we've got. He was a first round draft pick.
* Coaching. The Broncos haven't had good coaching this season. Unless that changes, I don't know that it matters who comes to play for the team next season. That is one of many big off-season questions to answer.


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