DangeRUSS-ly bad??
Is Russell Wilson ever going to return back to himself or is this what to expect the rest of the season?
$245 million is what the Broncos are paying for Russell Wilson to be their quarterback. After a sluggish start to the season, and the Bronco’s worst offensive performance of the season on Thursday night, Russ has come under heavy fire.
Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images
The Denver Broncos and quarterback Russell Wilson came into the season as one the most hyped-up teams in the NFL. Prior to week one the Broncos were +275 to win their division (3rd best odds) and +1800 to win the Superbowl. After a week 5 loss on Thursday night to the colts, and dropping two straight, they now sit at +550 to win the division and +4200 to win the Superbowl. So what’s wrong with the Broncos? Bad coaching? Maybe, but as a firs time coach, no one knew what to expect from Nathaniel Hackett. What people did expect was good to maybe even great quarterback play from Russell Wilson. What they have got, is a subpar start to the season from the man that was supposed to fix their QB problems of the past.
Wilson, while 2nd right now in pass yards (has a game advantage playing due to playing on Thursday night), also has a QBR of 36.9. That’s good enough to be the 22nd best in the league. Behind names such as Jacoby Brissett, Jared Goff, and his Seattle replacement Geno Smith. He has a 4-3 TD:INT and has lead the Broncos to a 2-3 start, and with a Raiders win this weekend, will have them in last place in the AFC West.
Wilson’s struggles were under the bright lights on national television Thursday night against the Colts. Both teams came into the game struggling but the Colts also entered the game without star linebacker Shaquille Leonard. Even with the injury of Leonard and few other Colt defensive players, Russ was not able to “cook” as he threw for 274 and 2 INTs all while putting up 9 total points. When it looked like the Broncos had the ability to put the game away with a few runs, they decided to put the ball into Wilson’s hands, and he delivered to Colt’s fan as he threw a pick in the endzone that resulted in a game-tying field goal. This took the game into OT, where the Colts got the ball first and were stalled to a field goal. Now was the time for Russ to be the guy they traded for and deliver a big win on the national stage. After a good drive, the Broncos were staring a 4th and short from just outside the Colt’s 5. Hackett decided not to kick the field goal and put the ball in the hands of the man they are paying $245 million for situations just like this. Wilson took the snap and missed a wide-open KJ Hamler that would have won it and threw the ball into traffic for an incompletion and a loss for the Broncos. “I could have walked in”, says Hamler, who threw his helmet in frustration.
The critics have gotten louder and the frustration within the Broncos organization has grown. Wilson has the ability to turn it around, but it doesn’t get any easier as they head to LA to play division rival Chargers next Monday night.
