Through the first seven weeks of the 2023 NFL season, the Russell Wilson-led Denver Broncos sit at 2-5, which puts them at the bottom of the AFC West.
If the season were to end right now, the Broncos would have the 3rd pick in the draft. The only teams that are statistically worse than the Broncos are the Chicago Bears, and the Carolina Panthers.
How much of the Denver Broncos’ failures lie on the shoulders of quarterback Russell Wilson?
Coming off of Wilson’s worst year in his career, many predicted that Wilson would bounce back, and lead the Broncos to the playoffs for the first time in almost 7 years.
Things immediately turned sour when the Broncos dropped their first 2 games, by a combined 3 points.
During their Week 2 loss, the offense looked electric in the first half, but in the second half the offense was shut down by the Commander’s defense. The Broncos ended up blowing a 21-3 lead.
The next week, the Broncos had a historic loss, losing to the Dolphins 20-70.
Finally, in Week 4, the Broncos would win their first game of the season behind a Wilson-led comeback to beat the 0-3 Bears.
Through the first six weeks, Wilson has 12 passing touchdowns to only four interceptions. Wilson has the fourth most touchdowns in the league while having fewer interceptions than many quarterbacks who are seen as elite, such as Tua Tagovailoa, Matt Stafford, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, and Patrick Mahomes.
Wilson is statistically on par with the league’s top QBs, though nobody pays attention to that since the Broncos have not won any meaningful games. Wilson’s comeback year will be overshadowed by the atrocious Denver Broncos defense.
The Broncos’ defense was unable to stop the Jimmy Garrapolo-led Raiders in Week 1, and in Week 2 the defense was dismantled by QB Sam Howell and the Commanders. The following week Howell would throw four interceptions.
In the Broncos’ loss to the Dolphins, the defense allowed the Dolphins to score 10 touchdowns! The Dolphins’ 70 points were the third-most points scored in a game in NFL history.
The following week the Broncos made Bears quarterback Justin Fields, who is by no means good at all, play like prime Michael Vick. Fields had a career game against the Broncos, throwing four touchdowns. It took everything for the Broncos’ defense to finally wake up and shut Fields and his offense down.
Through the first four weeks, the defense had allowed 20 offensive touchdowns, which is the most in NFL history.
In the past two weeks against the Jets and Chiefs, Wilson has had no time in the pocket. Along with always being forced out of the pocket, Wilson’s receivers have struggled to get open causing Wilson to have no place to throw the ball.
By no means is Russell Wilson the best quarterback in the league, but there is no way he is the reason for the team’s loss. If there is anyone to blame, it is Vance Joseph and the historically terrible defense.
Unfortunately for Russell Wilson, this terrible season will be looked at as his fault, and he will most likely be gone before next season, even though he isn’t the actual problem this season.
