Denver Broncos wash up on Miami shores, lose to Dolphins 70-20
MIAMI (PSF) - The Denver Broncos (0-3) suffered an embarrassing 70-20 dismantling at the hands of the red-hot Miami Dolphins (3-0) on Sunday afternoon.
En route to giving up 70 points, the most in an NFL game since 1966, the Broncos’ lost defense, “led” by Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph, allowed 726 total yards. They allowed the 30 Dolphins first downs, a 5-9 Miami 3rd-down conversion rate, and an eye-popping 350 yards on the ground. Their defense did not have a sack, as Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa held an 88.5% completion percentage, tossing four touchdowns on the day.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton had never been steamrolled in a game like this before. It was his 261st game as an NFL head coach. It was the first time he gave up 50+ points.
Embarrassing was the common sentiment, with multiple players using it to describe the game. It was also used by Payton, who is still searching for his first win as the head coach in Denver.
The Broncos had seven penalties for 46 yards overall. They lost two fumbles, and went 3-12 on third downs. Although they still finished with a respectable 363 total yards, many of those yards were gained when the outcome of the game was already determined.
Broncos QB Russell Wilson (23-38, 306 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT) finished with a pedestrian 83.9 passer rating and running back Javonte Williams - still working to return to pre-ACL tear form - ran for just 42 yards on 11 carries. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton had a nice game against the strong Miami secondary, catching eight balls for 91 yards and a touchdown.
The simply “passable” offensive performance is concerning, as many expected Sean Payton’s play-calling to elevate this offense to the level of a playoff contender. With this loss, they are now averaging 23 points per game, right in the middle of the pack in the NFL, but their inability to put offensive pressure in key moments when facing a potential blowout (like today), or when attempting to preserve the lead (Weeks 1-2) have been backbreaking moments for the team. Rather than ensuring a chance to stay in the game, or creating an insurmountable lead, this offense fails to convert time and time again, forcing their porous defense to try and pick them up.
The defense, however, is anything but “passable”. Vance Joseph and his unit have been dreadful the last two weeks.
“It felt like the game kind of got away from us” (0:51), is what Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson had to say.
When the defense gives up 35 points in each half and 70 overall, how could the game not get away from the Broncos? Their defensive front looked overwhelmed by Miami’s front. They were gashed for chunk play after chunk play, and when RBs Raheem Mostert and Devon Achane weren’t combining for 8.8 yards per carry, the defense allowed them to catch a combined 11 balls for 90 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Their tackling was terrible on all three levels, and the secondary was getting picked apart by Tagovailoa. The non-existent pass rush gave Tua ample time to throw, evidenced by his 23-26 completion line.
It’s now or never for the Denver Broncos. They will face the struggling Chicago Bears (also 0-3), coming off a brutal thrashing by the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. If the Broncos want to keep their almost non-existence playoff hopes alive, they must win next week. It should be a get-right week for them to win and regain some confidence.
If they don’t, it is officially time to hit the panic button in Denver.
