The Broncos were on the receiving end of an unpleasant Christmas surprise. A 51-14 blowout loss to the Rams in Los Angeles.
Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Cam Akers were like a pair of grinches for Denver, combining for five offensive touchdowns. Mayfield threw two while Akers rushed for three.
Russell Wilson did no favors for the Broncos’ defense, throwing three interceptions and getting sacked six times.
The awful defensive and offensive performances complimented each other, culminating in the Broncos allowing 50 or more points in a single game for the first time in five years, per the Associated Press’ Josh Dubow.
The Broncos have lost six of their last seven games. Although Denver is out of playoff contention, it would like to see potential building blocks for next season, and it appears to have few.
The Broncos (4-10) loss to the Rams (5-11) is fitting because Los Angeles shows it can bounce back from a lost season. The Rams’ 2-1 record over their past three games is a small sign of improvement.
Also, Los Angeles gets some slack because they won a Super Bowl last season. On the flip side, Denver hasn’t made the playoffs in seven years.
The complete landslide is unexpected too. Wilson and a talented young roster were supposed to guide the organization in a new direction.
However, the Broncos are completely off-course before the new year.