After per week off, the Denver Broncos ought to really feel good heading into the second half of the season. They’re on a two-game win streak and beat their arch-nemesis Kansas Metropolis, 24-9, earlier than the week off. On high of that, Russell Wilson is having the bounce-back season everybody mentioned he wanted after his first marketing campaign within the mile-high metropolis flopped. In actual fact, Wilson is reclaiming his standing within the NFL that was denounced within the court docket of public opinion in 2022.
Whereas the Broncos are nonetheless two video games beneath .500 at 3-5, issues are trying up with Wilson, and the offense in comparison with final season. Since most individuals aren’t seeing each sport Denver performs except they stay in Colorado, it’s straightforward to consider the narrative round Russ. Though he might by no means once more be the participant he was 5 or 6 years in the past, Wilson has performed like a quarterback on a mission in 2023.
Earlier than his first yr in Denver was even full, most critics had written Wilson out of any potential future Corridor of Fame conversations. Former head coach Nathaniel Hackett took some blame as effectively however Wilson was seen as fully washed. However even in video games the Broncos have misplaced this yr, Wilson can’t be given all of the blame. Final season, the protection carried Denver whereas the offense made mistake after mistake, and let the crew down. Now the 2 sides have flip-flopped, and it’s the Broncos protection in query.
Quiet Russ is nice for enterprise
Sean Payton acquired lots of warmth early on, however one factor he ought to get credit score for is we’ve heard far much less from “diva” Wilson. It seems like he’s refocused on enjoying soccer and fewer on his valuable picture. The advance has manifested into the win column typically, however it appears Denver is working towards being a foe as soon as once more.
By eight video games this season, DangeRussWilson has thrown 16 touchdowns, which matches
his whole from ’22. Wilson threw 11 interceptions in his first yr as a Bronco and has simply 4 midway by means of yr two. His completion share (66.1) is the very best since 2020 in Seattle. That yr, Wilson was chosen to the Professional Bowl, and completed with 40 TD passes. He’s on tempo to complete with over 30 this yr, one thing he hasn’t completed since that ’20 marketing campaign.
In Week 10, the Broncos journey to Buffalo to face the Payments. The Payments have been cold and hot this yr and are coming off a tricky loss to the Bengals on the highway. Buffalo is 5-4 and combating to remain within the AFC East race for the division with Miami, so this sport is massive for them as effectively. Denver wants a win to climb inside one sport of .500.
The Broncos would love so as to add a 3rd sport to their win streak after ending a 16-game shedding streak to the Chiefs two weeks in the past. That’s the kind of win that builds a crew’s confidence and will launch them into a brand new realm, getting them on observe. A win for Denver retains them within the thick of the AFC wild-card hunt and solely a sport behind Buffalo.
There’s nonetheless an extended technique to go, however each win issues that rather more within the second half of the season, particularly when it provides you a possible head-to-head tiebreaker over an opponent. If Wilson can proceed to play inside Payton’s offense the best way he has to this point, the Broncos might find yourself being within the thick of the wild card race down the stretch. In the event that they find yourself lacking out, it’ll be onerous to put lots of the blame on Russ if he continues to play like he has by means of the primary half of the season.