Denver Broncos: 4 Things Hurting Broncos

The Denver Broncos may be a more competitive team than they were last season, but the myriad of problems that plagued the team in 2010, continue to plague the team in 2011.

After Denver was dismantled 49-23 in a game in which the Broncos could not stop the Packers, those same problems were exposed. Out of the Packers' 11 total possessions throughout the game, the Broncos forced them to punt one time.

Let me repeat that. One time.

I had flashbacks to Peyton Manning throwing for 400 yards and numerous TDs in the 2003 and 2004 playoff blowouts at the RCA Dome.

The Broncos have numerous problems they need to address. It's not just one guy. It's not just one unit. They have numerous issues to fix.

Here are four things that are hurting the Broncos and preventing them from taking that next step forward.

The Pass Defense

This is the biggest issue on the team. Yes, Kyle Orton has not played well. Yes, the running game has his moments where it stalls.

But what we've witnessed over the past three weeks is just pathetic.

Let's look at the game against the Bengals. This is where rookie QB Andy Dalton looked like a veteran at Mile High. Dalton was 27-41 for 332 yards, two TDs and zero INTs. The Bengals were down by two points at the end of the game and had a chance to win it.

On to the game against the Titans. Matt Hasselbeck has had a tremendous season. You have to give him credit for that. But the point still stands that his best receiver in Kenny Britt, was out for the entire second half. Hasselbeck relied on a below-average receiving corps to lead the Titans on a 95-yard game touchdown winning drive after the Broncos were stuffed at the goal-line four straight times.

Now for the game against the Packers. I already mentioned they punted just one time on 11 possessions. You should already know Aaron Rodgers became the first quarterback to ever throw for 400 yards, four TDs and run for two TDs in a single game.

This was never a game. Were the Broncos down 21-17 late in the second quarter? Yes. But you never had the feeling that they would win the game. You just knew the Packers offense couldn't be stopped.

This was the definition of an annihilation.

Rodgers had complete control over the offense. He was rarely pressured, despite Von Miller racking up two sacks on him. He got the ball out quickly on slants, crossing routes and curl routes. He struck deep when Nelson was able to outrun his corner. He basically played as well as a quarterback can possibly play in an NFL game.

This defense needs an overhaul over the offseason. It will not get much better as the season progresses, especially if Champ Bailey continues to be sidelined.

Brian Dawkins was burned for a couple of long touchdowns last week including one where he was completely faked out of his shoes. He seemed to be running behind Jordy Nelson the entire game, instead of running alongside him.

Quinton Carter and Chris Harris are young corners that need to improve before they can be considered in important dime/nickel package situations.

Andre Goodman is too slow at the age of 33 to be keeping up with the receivers such as Nelson, Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley.

If the Broncos fail to address this need in the offseason, Denver will continue being embarassed by elite teams with elite passing attacks.

Kyle Orton

Let's start things off by listing Orton's stats.

He ranks 22nd in passing yards, 18th in passer rating, 20th in completion percentage, 24th in yards per attempt, and he leads the league in interceptions thrown.

He is sixth in passing touchdowns with eight, but the negatives far outweigh the positives.

Orton crumbles every time the game is on the line. He has wasted opportunities in two different games to win the game for his team. The first game was vs. Oakland on the phantom fumble. The second game was the interception inside Tennessee's 40-yard line with a chance to tie the game with a field goal.

Did I mention his 70.1 QB rating in the fourth quarter compared to his 80.9 overall rating?

In a season where quarterbacks are taking over games, Orton has not been one of those quarterbacks.

The Lack of an Explosive Rushing Attack

Willis McGahee has been serviceable. He has gained 100 yards rushing in two of his three starts. He has provided stability to an area of the Broncos that have not had stability since the Mike Shanahan era.

But the fact remains that the Broncos are not an explosive rushing team. They need to be an explosive rushing team in order to be a successful team. Period.

John Fox is heavily dependent upon the running game. In order for his offenses to succeed, the running game has always been very good. Stephen Davis was one of the league's leaders in rushing yards when the Panthers went to the Super Bowl in 2003. Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart formed the league's best running duo at one point in time to lead Carolina to the NFC Divisional Playoffs.

When you have average QBs such as Jake Delhomme and Orton, you need to give these guys a rushing attack to get the very best out of them.

Is it any coincidence that Orton played well last week when McGahee was able to run effectively? He had 103 yards rushing on 15 carries for a 6.9 average. Orton threw for a couple of TDs off of the effectiveness of the rushing game. He even threw for a long pass that Lloyd caught inside the 5-yard-line off of a flea-flicker.

McGahee has been decent, but a 3.8 yards per carry average is not explosive. The Broncos need a player the caliber of what Clinton Portis and Terrell Davis were in order to be a great team in the NFL.

The Lack of Playmakers/Too Many Costly Turnovers

This is a reason that can be spread across to both the offense and the defense.

The Broncos have lacked playmakers for years. Yes, we did have Brandon Marshall. Yes, we do have Elvis Dumervil. We still have Champ Bailey.

But the Broncos have been terrible at forcing turnovers for years. As of the moment, the Broncos are 30th in takeaway/giveaway differential. 30th for crying out loud. They rank 24th in INT's forced.

The Broncos were in 27th place in turnover/giveaway differential in 2010 with a -9 differential. They were 30th in INTs forced.

In 2008, the Broncos were 31st in INTs forced when they had six interceptions. Not surprisingly, they were 31st in turnover/giveaway differential with a -17 differential. In 2007, they were 23rd in INTs forced.

The Broncos have this ineptitude of drafting playmakers on defense. I'm talking about guys that can force turnovers. Change the dynamics of the game with one play.

They seem to have succeeded with the drafting on Von Miller. They need to do the same in next year's draft by drafting a defensive back that is a playmaker.