Broncos offensive struggles in second half one of many issues during 0-2 start

When the Broncos held a 21-3 lead in the second quarter against the Washington Commanders, it appeared head coach Sean Payton had exorcized the offensive demons that plagued them in 2022.

Quarterback Russell Wilson was throwing the ball efficiently, completing 6 for 8 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. looked like the second coming of Randy Moss, catching a pair of deep balls, including a 60-yard touchdown. And the Broncos had three touchdowns in three possessions.

Then, it all fell apart following Wilson’s second-quarter fumble, and the engine that kept Denver’s offense moving stopped. The Broncos had two unsuccessful drives to start the third quarter, while the Commanders outscored them 21-12 in the second half to pull off the comeback victory.

Denver’s Jekyll and Hyde offense is one of many reasons it enters Sunday’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins with a 0-2 record. If they want to prevent the season from spiraling into the Twilight Zone, they must figure out how to play a complete game.

“That first half (against Washington) was some of the best we’ve played as a collective group,” Wilson said. “We have to make it two halves.”

The numbers say the Broncos are a much better offense compared to last season. Denver is averaging 24.5 points per game while ranking first in the NFL in points per possession (3). Wilson even has the fourth-best passer rating in the league (108.5).

But look closely at Denver’s second-half numbers, and the bad juju appears. The Broncos have averaged 7.5 points in the second half as opponents have outscored them 28-15. They scored just one second-half touchdown last Sunday —and that came on Wilson’s 50-yard Hail Mary pass to wide receiver Brandon Johnson.

Wilson’s numbers drop off drastically after the first half, where he’s completed 85.2% of his passes for 279 yards (10.3 yards per attempt) and four touchdowns with a 149.3 passer rating. In the second, he’s completed 56.4% of his passes for 206 yards (5.3 yards per attempt), a touchdown and a pick with a 69 passer rating.

“Back-to-back games of us having a really strong first half and then not being able to capitalize or keep the momentum going into the second half,” wide receiver Courtland Sutton said, “that’s something that we have to figure out so it doesn’t continue to happen.”

Following a theme from last season under former head coach Nathaniel Hackett, the third quarter has been particularly bad for Denver. The Broncos have scored a combined three points while averaging 56 total yards in the third, with Wilson posting a 33.9 passer rating with 59 yards and an interception.

Over the past two weeks, Denver has received the ball to start the third but failed to capitalize each time. Against the Las Vegas Raiders, kicker Wil Lutz missed a 55-yard field goal after the offense scored a touchdown to close out the second quarter.

Last week, the Broncos punted on the first drive of the third after Wilson got sacked and running back Javonte Williams was stopped for a loss of two yards. On Denver’s next possession — after the Commanders had tied the game — Wilson threw a pick to Washington rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr.

“We have to play cleaner in the third quarter,” Wilson said. “In the first game, we scored right before the half and got the ball back. In that first drive, we want to excel. That’s the focus.”

The Broncos have struggled to capitalize in the red zone, as well, going 0 for 3 in the second half. Denver had two red zone opportunities against the Commanders, but Wilson was sacked on both, forcing the Broncos to settle for field goals.

Denver could emphasize running the ball a bit more. Against the Commanders, Williams and running back Samaje Perine combined for six yards on five carries in the second half — despite entering the third quarter up 21-14. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said the game dictated their usage as there were few opportunities to establish the run game.

​​“It’s just the rotation of the game and the way it went,” Lombardi said. “I think after two games, it’s not a big enough sample size to draw a bunch of conclusions. I think as it goes on and you get a bigger sample size, you’ll see that balance out a little bit more.”

Another option could be unleashing Mims. The rookie played 17 offensive snaps in Week 1 and 16 in Week 2. Mims caught two passes for 113 yards and had a 45-yard punt return early on against Washington. Then he vanished, going without a second second-half target.

“At the end of the week, you’re like, ‘Hey, this is going to be a big game for pick the player.’ You don’t get to run all the plays,” Lombardi said. “(Mims is) someone we’re counting on. He’s going to have a role every week.”

The Broncos’ journey with Payton is still in the early stages, but their inability to finish the job offensively has them at 0-2. If they don’t fix it in Week 3, 0-3 may be next.

“We are moving the ball really well on drives,” Wilson said. “The only thing that’s stopped us is penalties and bad plays…Two by me. I think the biggest thing is to stay on course.”

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