December 31st 2024.
Hey there!
I'm Parker Gabriel, the Denver Post Broncos writer. Every week during the season, and periodically during the offseason, I post my Broncos Mailbag to answer all your questions about the team. Don't hesitate to click here and submit your questions. I'm here to help!
This week, we have reached the end of the regular season. It's hard to believe how quickly the time has flown by. It feels like just yesterday we were talking about Riley Moss and whether he would win the starting job in training camp, and now here we are, discussing if the Broncos will make it to the playoffs.
As you all know, the Broncos need to win their last game to secure a spot in the playoffs. It's a crucial game, and we're counting on players like Riley Moss and the defense to step up and bring home a win. But I know many of you have some concerns, especially after Moss had a rough game against the Bengals. He didn't seem to be playing at 100%, and some of you are worried about his performance. Also, what's going on with the defense? Giving up over 30 points in three of the last four games is a big concern.
I heard Sean Payton's comments during his conference call this week, and I think he made a fair point. It's easy to criticize the defense, but let's not forget that the Bengals are one of the most dangerous offenses in the league right now. They have been playing exceptionally well, and even though Moss had a tough time against Tee Higgins, who is a significant threat, I wouldn't say it was a bad defensive outing. The early fourth-down stops and the two overtime stops show that the defense was doing their best. And let's not forget the seven sacks they managed to get, despite Joe Burrow's quick release time. The Bengals' offense is just that good.
As long as Moss is feeling good physically, I believe we should trust him going forward. He has proven his abilities, and he has the right mindset to handle failure and bounce back. So let's keep supporting him and the defense as they work towards securing a spot in the playoffs.
Now, let's talk about the upcoming game against the Chiefs. I know many of you are anxious and looking for any signs or vibes that could give us an idea of what to expect. Well, I have to be honest; my vibes weren't the best after the last game. It was a tough loss, and we missed out on two opportunities to secure a win. But it's natural to feel a bit down after a game like that. However, I believe this team has what it takes to bounce back and handle the pressure of this crucial game. After all, they have shown their grit and toughness all season long.
I have to admit, though, that it's going to be a different level of pressure on Sunday, especially if the Bengals beat the Steelers on Saturday night. But I have faith in this team, and I believe they will have a good week of preparation and come out on top. They are playing at home, and the Chiefs have no incentive to play their best players, so we have a good chance of winning and securing a spot in the playoffs. However, we can't afford to have a slow start or any flukes early in the game. The atmosphere in Empower Field will quickly turn tense, and we don't want that.
I've received many great questions this year, and I want to take a moment to address a couple of them. Some of you have expressed concerns about the O-line and the running game, suggesting that maybe the issue is not with the running backs. I have to disagree. The O-line has been performing well, and the numbers and analytics support that. Of course, there's always room for improvement, but overall, they've been doing a good job.
As for the draft, some of you have wondered who the Broncos would have picked if Bo Nix wasn't available. Well, I think it's safe to say that they would have gone for Brock Bowers. He's a special talent, and it's no surprise that he was drafted so high. The quarterback class this year was exceptional, and Bowers probably wouldn't have lasted until the 13th pick if it wasn't for that. Other options could have been an edge rusher like Jared Verse or Laiatu Latu.
On a general note, I must say that it has been a great year for rookies in the NFL. The quarterback class has been outstanding, with five starters and three in playoff contention. We have also seen some impressive performances from other rookies, such as pass-catchers with over 1,000 yards, a terrific corner duo in Philadelphia, and a great front-seven duo in Los Angeles. So, let's keep an eye on these rookies and see how they continue to develop.
Lastly, some of you have expressed frustration with not being able to watch the games because you don't have the NFL Network. I completely understand, and I agree that the league needs to find a solution for fans in areas like Colorado Springs and Pueblo. As the league expands to different platforms, it's becoming more challenging for some fans to watch the games regularly.
Thank you all for your questions and support throughout the season. Let's hope for a great game on Sunday and a spot in the playoffs!
Hey there! It's Parker Gabriel, the Denver Post's writer covering all things Broncos. I wanted to let you know that I post a weekly Broncos Mailbag during the season and I also periodically post during the offseason. If you have any questions, just click here to submit them.
I recently received a question from Reggie L. in Denver, who is feeling the pressure as the Broncos' season is coming to an end and they need a win to secure a spot in the playoffs. Reggie asked about the trustworthiness of Riley Moss after his rough game against the Bengals, and also wanted to know what's been going on with the defense as they have given up over 30 points in three of their last four games.
Thanks for writing in, Reggie! It's hard to believe that we're already at the end of the regular season. It feels like just yesterday we were discussing Moss and his chances of winning the starting job during training camp. But now, the Broncos are hoping that this won't be their last game of the season. In order to keep playing, and potentially upset the Bills in the Wild Card round, the team will need Moss and the defense to step up.
During his conference call on Monday, Sean Payton made a good point about criticizing the defense's recent performances. He pointed out that the Bengals are one of the most dangerous offenses in the league and are playing at a high level. Despite the loss, the defense still had some key stops throughout the game. And let's not forget that the Bengals have a talented group of receivers, including Tee Higgins, who had a great game against Moss.
But as long as Moss is feeling physically well, the Broncos should trust him moving forward. He has a lot of potential and has shown that he has the right mindset to handle failure and bounce back. On to the next question!
Ed Helinski from Auburn, N.Y. asked about the vibes he's getting for the upcoming game against the Chiefs. Well, Ed, I have to say that the vibes weren't great after the game against the Bengals. But that's to be expected after a tough loss and the missed opportunities to secure a playoff spot. If the Broncos do miss the playoffs, I think the loss to the Chargers will be the one that stings the most. However, there's still a chance for the team to make it in, and Payton has praised the team's grit and toughness all season. The pressure will be on in Sunday's game, especially if the Bengals win their game on Saturday. But I have faith that the team will handle it well and have a good week of preparation. They are favored to win against a Chiefs team that has no incentive to play their best players, but anything can happen in football.
Moving on to Andy Banta's question from Bismarck, N.D. about the Broncos' running game. Andy, while the offensive line hasn't been perfect, I wouldn't say that they are suspect. In fact, they have been one of the best pass-blocking units in the league, and while they may not be as strong in the run game, overall they have played well this season. As for the draft, Payton has spoken highly of Brock Bowers before each game against the Raiders. He is a talented player and would not have lasted until the 13th pick if it wasn't for the strong quarterback class in this year's draft. The Broncos could have also taken an edge rusher like Jared Verse or Laiatu Latu at No. 12, but it's clear that this year's draft class has a lot of talented players across the board.
Mark from Arvada had a question about Bo Nix and Troy Franklin connecting on a deep throw. Mark, I'm sure they will eventually! Franklin has great speed and has shown the ability to get separation, but he's also dropped a few passes and Nix has missed him on some throws. Franklin is not a physically imposing receiver, but adding strength and improving his ability to get off the line of scrimmage could improve their chemistry. It's also worth noting that the NFL is a whole new level of competition, so it may take some time for them to develop that chemistry that they had in college.
Lastly, Mike from Pueblo brought up an important issue about the availability of games for fans in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. He mentioned that he doesn't have the NFL Network and had to listen to the Broncos-Bengals game on the radio. While the NFL does make an exception for the Denver area, Mike believes that fans in Colorado Springs and Pueblo are just as passionate about the Broncos and deserve better access to the games.
I couldn't agree more, Mike. With the league expanding to more streaming services and other platforms, it has become more challenging for fans to watch games regularly. Hopefully, this is something that will be addressed in the future so that all Broncos fans in Colorado can watch their team play.
Thanks to everyone who submitted questions and for tuning in to the Broncos Mailbag. Keep them coming, and let's hope for a big win against the Chiefs on Sunday! Go Broncos!
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