The Denver Broncos have gone through tough times ever since the 2015 season, when Peyton Manning played his final season with the team and delivered it a Super Bowl championship.
Denver has had a quarterback carousel filled with signal-callers that could never quite get the job done, and it has failed to reach the postseason since.
But a few months ago, everyone in Colorado got excited when the Broncos acquired Russell Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback who had led the Seattle Seahawks to a world title in the 2013 season.
Suddenly, many expected the Broncos to contend for the Super Bowl this coming season.
However, their hopes have now been seriously dashed, and the 2022 season may be nothing more than a lost year for them.
Denver Will Be Without One Of Its Best Offensive Players
Coming into training camp, the Broncos didn’t have the same collection of top-level wide receivers as the Las Vegas Raiders or Los Angeles Chargers, two of their division rivals, but many felt the tandem of Tim Patrick and Courtland Sutton would be good enough for the team to contend.
But on Tuesday, Patrick went down with a torn ACL, which will likely prevent him from playing this year.
Broncos WR Tim Patrick suffers ACL injury, potentially out for the season. (via @RapSheet + @JamesPalmerTV) pic.twitter.com/5kGkhzo0Fo
— NFL (@NFL) August 2, 2022
Although Patrick hasn’t reached the Pro Bowl in his four NFL seasons, he is a young, rising wideout who had 734 yards and five touchdowns in 2021.
He has been a nice success story, as he went undrafted out of the University of Utah.
Without Patrick, Denver will have to lean more heavily on Sutton, fellow receiver Jerry Jeudy, and running backs Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams.
To make matters worse, running back Damarea Crockett also tore his ACL.
It’s Gods plan, we could never understand.
💙🧡🐴 pic.twitter.com/ptZNyiOsnD— Damarea Crockett (@DamareaCrockett) August 2, 2022
These injuries will make it very difficult for the squad to match the offensive might of the Raiders, Chargers, and Kansas City Chiefs, all of whom have at least one Pro Bowler at the skill positions.
The Broncos already ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in points scored and passing touchdowns last season, and Patrick’s injury will complicate the team’s efforts to move into the top 10 in key passing games categories.
The Broncos May Be Pulling Up The Rear In Their Division
As it was, plenty had a sneaking suspicion that Denver would finish last in the AFC West this year, but now, it is looking very likely that it will happen.
The Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes, arguably the best QB in the game, as well as Travis Kelce, the consensus best tight end around.
Although speedster wideout Tyreek Hill moved to the Miami Dolphins, many expect Kansas City to not see much, if any of a drop-off without him.
The Chargers are looking like true Super Bowl contenders, and they have become a trendy pick to win the division thanks to numerous additions on the defensive side of the football.
The Raiders have added Davante Adams, considered the best wideout in the league, plus pass rusher Chandler Jones, and if Derek Carr has a truly elite year, they could win it all.
It’s going to be a tough road ahead for the Broncos for the next several months as the season unfolds.
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