Broncos’ summer time of optimism sinks early in Black Gap

ALAMEDA, Calif. — There may be nothing fairly like one final journey to the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum to deflate the optimism of summer time because the mistake-prone Denver Broncos wobbled early, stumbled later and could not rebound in a season-opening 24-16 loss to the Oakland Raiders

First-year coach Vic Fangio definitely handed the offseason take a look at as he appeared to settle the Broncos down after back-to-back seasons of double-digit losses, however his debut did not go because the Broncos had hoped. The Raiders scored on a 10-play drive of their first possession of the sport and by no means trailed.

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Troubling development: Depth has been the largest concern hovering across the Broncos all through the offseason, particularly because the 2016 and 2017 drafts proceed to go away pretty obvious holes. And when cornerback Bryce Callahan did not play due to a foot harm, it pushed Isaac Yiadom into the beginning lineup. Raiders coach Jon Gruden persistently focused Yiadom within the first half, together with Oakland’s first landing in addition to 43-yard completion on the Raiders’ second landing drive. Proper sort out Ja’Wuan James, who the Broncos made the highest-paid sort out within the league once they signed him in March, additionally left the sport within the first quarter with a knee harm and that pushed Elijah Wilkinson into the lineup. Wilkinson is the Broncos’ backup at each sort out spots and has been the main backup at each guard spots in follow.

Greatest gap within the sport plan: The working sport early on. That is the inspiration of the offense, and whereas no person is saying they need to bust out the veer, the Broncos moved the ball way more successfully within the second half once they dedicated to it. They ran simply seven occasions within the first half and by no means actually appeared in sync. They gained 73 yards on their first 9 carries of the second half.

QB breakdown: Offensive line coach Mike Munchak was probably an important acquisition this previous offseason given the Broncos’ want to enhance inside that group in addition to the necessity to get essentially the most out of 34-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco was easy and persistently delivered the ball when the Broncos stored his entrance porch clear. However when issues broke down in the midst of the road, he had problem escaping.

Pivotal play: With just below 4 minutes to play within the third quarter, the Broncos had been in a third-down scenario on the Raiders’ 7-yard line. They trailed 14-Three on the time and had put collectively a bodily, defense-pounding drive that had them poised to get proper again in it. Flacco discovered DaeSean Hamilton ultimately zone for what would have a much-needed, momentum-awarding landing, however Hamilton dropped the well-placed ball.

Silver lining: Within the final two seasons a fast 14-Zero lead by their opponent would have was a rout of the ugliest proportions. And whereas they did not unpack their better of efforts of their first street sport, the Broncos did present some resiliency within the second half.