Briefly during Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, it seemed as though the unfortunate narratives that followed the Denver Broncos for their first five games of the 2022 season would be paused for a week. But unfortunately the Broncos and their fans, the rest of the game told a much different story.
In the first quarter, Russell Wilson looked not like the struggling quarterback we’ve seen throughout the season but the star that he’d been for much of the previous decade. Heading into the second quarter, Wilson was 10-for-10, passing for 116 yards with a touchdown and Denver led 10-0. For the rest of the game, he was 5-for-18, passing for 172 yards.
And while the Chargers weren’t exactly an offensive juggernaut, injured kicker Dustin Hopkins made four field goals, including the game-winner in overtime.
Dustin Hopkins — on an injured hamstring — for the Chargers win over the Broncos!
The Chargers never led until the walk-off field goal with 2:38 left in OT. #MNF
pic.twitter.com/5XBwb054hH — The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 18, 2022
And Wilson was by no means the only Denver player to struggle on Monday. The Broncos hurt themselves in many ways. They committed 10 penalties for 151 yards, the most by an NFL team in more than 20 years. And while one lost turnover on the road is normally not a terrible number, Denver’s came at the worst possible time.
It came in overtime on a punt. Instead of getting the ball and being in position to win or at worst, tie, the Broncos turned the ball over deep in their own territory.
Good grief, Broncos. #MNF pic.twitter.com/nUHHQAh46X
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 18, 2022
Three plays later, the game was over.
As has been the case throughout the season, Wilson and the Broncos as a whole were widely panned after this game.
Please tell me this is the last island game for Nathaniel Hackett? I mean, this guy should legit be gone at the end of the season.
— dan durkin (@djdurkin) October 18, 2022
vibe in Broncos Country pic.twitter.com/R2RVq9PZi8
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 18, 2022
While we’re not entirely done with the Broncos in prime time, we are for a while. The next scheduled prime time game for Denver is in Week 14 against the Kansas City Chiefs. That game, of course, can be flexed out of the Sunday night slot. Given that the Broncos are 2-4 and consistently playing poorly, we’d say a flex out is a distinct possibility if things don’t change quickly.