{"id":51111,"date":"2018-10-10T15:11:28","date_gmt":"2018-10-10T19:11:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=51111"},"modified":"2018-10-10T15:11:28","modified_gmt":"2018-10-10T19:11:28","slug":"denver-broncos-are-in-trouble-against-the-los-angeles-rams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/10\/10\/denver-broncos-are-in-trouble-against-the-los-angeles-rams\/","title":{"rendered":"Denver Broncos Are in Trouble Against the Los Angeles Rams"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Denver Broncos are in trouble against the Los Angeles Rams<\/a>. They\u2019re close to repeating history. And not the good kind.<\/p>\n

As they went down 34-16 to the New York Jets<\/a>, it was a painful realization that this was their third consecutive loss.<\/p>\n

Denver Broncos Are in Trouble Against the Los Angeles Rams<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The season began with such promise at 2-0, but 2018 is looking more dismal\u00a0than last year, when the Broncos were 3-1 before tumbling through an eight-game losing streak. They finished 5-11.<\/p>\n

It looked like there was no way the team could do any worse than that, but after three consecutive losses so early in the season, hopes are already beginning to fade.<\/p>\n

They will face the Los Angeles Rams<\/a> at home, but with the Rams as seven-point favorites and currently undefeated, Denver will need to pull off some magic tricks to win.<\/p>\n

What’s Holding Them Back?<\/h2>\n

No one can understand what\u2019s holding back the Broncos. Not the coaches, not the players. As quoted by ESPN\u2019s Jeff Legwold<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/a>tight end Derek Wolfe<\/a><\/strong> said, \u201cSomething much deeper is happening here that I can\u2019t even really understand.”<\/p>\n

The Rams\u2019 offense and defense are so strong, they haven\u2019t lost yet this season. And seeing as Denver was unable to keep even the Jets\u2019 29th-rated offense at bay, it will be an absolute miracle if they\u2019re victorious over the Rams.<\/p>\n

Denver quarterback Case Keenum<\/a><\/strong> had his worst performance last week \u2013 sacked four times and threw his seventh interception of the season. He holds himself responsible. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to do better\u2026 I\u2019ve got to do better.\u201d<\/p>\n

But It’s Not Just The Offense Anymore…<\/h2>\n

As per usual, this needs to be said of the entire offense, and for the second time, the defense. Denver\u2019s defense is a shadow of its former self. As Legwold pointed out, the Jets\u2019 rushing total was the \u201cfifth highest for an opponent in a single game in Denver\u2019s franchise history.\u201d They averaged 8.4 yards every time they ran a play, and that is just unacceptable and should not be replicated by any other opponent moving forward, or the Broncos are doomed.<\/p>\n

Their last three opponents went 21-of-44 on third down. The conversion rate of 47.7 is something new to Denver. These power rankings by Benjamin Allbright paint a dire yet accurate picture.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/AllbrightNFL\/status\/1049804837792055296<\/p>\n

Attitudes Need To Change Now<\/h2>\n

Head coach Vance Joseph<\/a><\/strong> mentioned again that the team is schematically sound. However, he acknowledged it\u2019s no longer just the fault of the coaches, but the players, who aren\u2019t doing what they were paid to do. And no one can disagree with that.<\/p>\n

Cornerback Chris Harris Jr.<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>knows the team is lacking serious gumption and they need to \u201cfigure out who wants to be here, who wants to change this.”<\/p>\n

The Broncos are 1-9 in their last 10 games. And it won\u2019t get any better unless everyone – coaches and players alike \u2013 gets their fighting spirit back.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>