For the Denver Broncos, Turnovers Are Reaching Historical Highs

After Sunday’s 26-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins, it looks like the Denver Broncos’ turnover struggles have reached epidemic proportions. 

The Broncos have given the ball up 11 times in losses to the Jaguars, Patriots, and Dolphins over the past four weeks (Week Eight was a bye). The team’s turnover differential is dead last in the AFC at -9, and Denver’s 16 total turnovers are tied for most in the conference. 

The aggravatingly mistake-prone Denver offense has turned the ball over at least three times in each of their last three games—all losses. As a result, a once promising 4-1 start has been downgraded to a mediocre 4-4 team that remains atop the loathsome AFC West, nonetheless.

To put this heinous run in perspective, the last time Denver turned the ball over three or more times in three consecutive games was way back in 2004. Such a Broncos streak has only occurred twice in the Mike Shanahan era and three times since 1989.

In 2004, the Broncos turned the ball over three-plus times four games in a row, going 1-3 during the stretch and amassing 16 total turnovers. 

The Broncos also accomplished this cheerless task during the last three games of the 1996 regular season. It is important to note, however, that many of the Denver offensive starters barely participated in two of these games due to Shanahan’s decision to rest his top players, having already clinched the AFC West (the rusty Broncos were upset by Jacksonville in the divisional round of the playoffs in large part because of that decision).

Unfortunately, the Broncos current run of ineptitude features all of its starters in plain view. Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall, the team’s most recognizable stars, have both struggled to take care of the ball, combining for 13 turnovers this season. 

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