The Denver Broncos lost their Preseason Week 1 game to the Arizona Cardinals. With the regular season right around the corner, fans want to see improvement right away. Coaches and players are hustling to make changes and to fix problems. But there are only two more exhibition games left before the real work begins. Here are four areas that must improve in the Broncos Preseason Week 2 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
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4 Areas That Must Improve for the Denver Broncos in Preseason Week 2
1. Better O-Line Play
The Broncos offensive line might be the deciding factor for their entire season. NFL experts know that good teams are built up front: great offensive and defensive lines.
Denver’s defensive front is solid, but its offensive front still has a lot to prove. In Week 1 of the preseason, Denver’s quarterbacks were only sacked twice, but were also only 5/14 on third down.
More time to pass means better passes, which means first downs and points. In order to match the caliber of the defense, the offense first has to protect the quarterback. When the Broncos play the 49ers in Week 2 of the preseason, quarterback protection must be improved against a menacing defensive front seven.
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2. Better Quarterback Play
When the quarterback is protected, they must make smart decisions with the ball. Broncos fans desperately want Russell Wilson and Jarrett Stidham to make quick, intelligent decisions against San Francisco’s defense.
Wilson cannot panic in the pocket, he must be able to trust his offensive line and Sean Payton’s playcalling. Wilson has his fair share of doubters after a rough year with the Broncos in 2022. However, if he wants to change that perception, he must trust his teammates, coaches, and himself. This area must improve in the Denver Broncos Preseason Week 2 fixture.
3. Competition Among Skill Players
Coaches need to see a return of injured skill players and the healthy competition that emerges among those groups.
Running back Javonte Williams will play this week, according to Sean Payton. He will receive a handful of touches. Williams needs to prove that he is healthy before he is trusted to carry the load.
Broncos’ HC Sean Payton told reporters today that RB Javonte Williams, who is coming off a torn ACL, is expected to play this preseason, though Denver might wait until the second preseason game to play him. “I like how he’s progressing,” Payton said.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 3, 2023
Meanwhile, backup Samaje Perine and rookie Jaleel McLaughlin are fighting for playing time. That competitiveness is important fuel for Training Camp and, eventually, for gameday.
Wide receiver Marvin Mims will also play for the first time this week. His role will be larger with the injuries to Tim Patrick and K.J. Hamler. Mims needs to push himself to make an immediate impact.
4. Competition Among Kickers
The Broncos need to bring in more kicking competition. Kicker Brett Maher is currently the only kicker on the roster. Kicker Elliott Fry was released with a medical designation after the team’s Week 1 loss.
But Maher is simply not enough after missing two field goals last week. Denver must bring in competition at kicker.
With a solid defense and an offense finding its footing, games will come down to kicks. Maher as the only kicker on the team is simply unsustainable. Denver must improve in this area, or they will find themselves lacking at special teams and losing games.
Denver Broncos Preseason Week 2 Musts
These four areas must improve in the Denver Broncos Preseason Week 2 performance: O-line play, quarterback play, skill players, and kickers.
With these four improvements, the offense will rise to the level of the defense. Only then will the Broncos be a playoff-caliber team. Fans will be anxiously watching this week’s game versus San Francisco to see if their team has identified problem areas and worked to fix them. And, after last season, they do not have much patience left.
Main Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
