Third-quarter struggles emerge yet again in defeat
If insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, Broncos Country must be losing its mind.
The Broncos have won the coin toss in five straight games to start the season and deferred to receive the second-half kick each time. And each time, they’ve come away with zero points.
On Sunday against the New York Jets, the Broncos opened the third quarter with a 13-8 lead and the offense promptly went threeand- out. Rookie running back Jaleel Mclaughlin was stopped for a 2-yard gain. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw an incomplete pass. Then Wilson was sacked on third-and-long.
On the Jets’ next offensive snap, running back Breece Hall, who abused the Broncos all game, burst through a massive hole and cruised into the end zone for a 72-yard touchdown to take a 15-13 lead.
In the 31-21 loss at Empower Field at Mile High, everything that’s plagued the Broncos during its 1- 4 start was on display. Denver’s offensive struggles in the third quarter was one of them.
“We have to be better in the third quarter,” Wilson said.
The Broncos’ third- quarter problems have been a hallmark of all five games to start head coach Sean Payton’s first season in Denver. Here is how each second half opening drive has played out: Missed field goal, punt, punt, punt and punt.
Making matters worse: The Broncos have started the second half with a lead three times. They have also allowed four touchdowns on the following possession.
In Week 2, Washington quarterback Sam Howell threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Terry Mclaurin. Seven days later, the Dolphins marched down the field before running back Raheem Mostert powered into the end zone. Bears quarterback Justin Fields completed a touchdown pass in Week 4. And on Sunday, Hall was like Quicksilver as he burst down the field for a score.
“We keep beating ourselves,” running back Samaje Perine said.
On Friday, Payton joked with reporters that the team should script the first drive of the second half the same way they’ve done with the opening drive in the first quarter. The Broncos have scored on their first offensive possession in four of five games.
Wilson has three touchdown passes on Denver’s opening drives, so maybe Payton is on to something.
Denver’s issues on the first drive in the third carried throughout the quarter. The Broncos were held to four yards on offense and didn’t convert a first down. Meanwhile, the Jets had 143 total yards, including 100 rushing yards from Hall.
The Broncos had an opportunity to do something when they recovered the ball at New York’s 39-yard line after a failed punt return attempt. However, rookie Marvin Mims Jr. lost the ball after Perine tried to pitch it to him on a reverse.
“We didn’t stay on schedule coming out of those drives,” right tackle Mike Mcglinchey said. “We have to protect Russ better, we have to protect the football better and we have to convert first downs. We didn’t do enough of that.”
With the Jets winning Sunday’s third quarter 100, Denver has now been outscored 38-10 in that frame.
Payton thought the offense put the defense in a bad spot throughout the second half with turnovers and three-and-outs. He also took most of the blame, saying he was “one dimensional” with his play- calling.
“The minus plays put us behind the chains. I thought we were in thirdand-long too much,” Payton said. “I have to be patient (with) how we run the ball. It was that type of game.”