The Denver Broncos are mired in their worst six-game start since 1994, showing few signs that a turnaround is possible.
Coach Sean Payton’s first Denver squad is the fifth team in franchise history to start 1-5, and the Broncos will look to avoid another setback in Sunday’s game against the visiting Green Bay Packers (2-3).
Along with the lack of victories, Russell Wilson continues to sputter as the quarterback Payton inherited.
Wilson passed for a season-low 95 yards, two interceptions and one touchdown in a 19-8 loss to the host Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 12. It marked the second straight game and third of the season in which Wilson threw for less than 200 yards.
“You never want to turn the ball over. That’s the big thing,” Wilson said Wednesday. “You understand that you always want to be the harshest critic on yourself because you know what you’re capable of. … You can’t let one tough game where we lost affect you.”
Wilson has passed for 1,305 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions this season.
Denver’s lone victory came against the Chicago Bears by a 31-28 score on Oct. 1. Since then, the Broncos dropped back-to-back double-digit games against the New York Jets and Chiefs.
However, Payton sees a glimmer of hope because the next two games are at home. Denver has a rematch with the Chiefs after the clash with the Packers.
“We haven’t finished at home,” Payton said of the club’s 0-3 home record. “The focus is right in front of you, and the focus is internal. It’s your team more than the opponent, even. That’s kind of where we’re at right now as we get ready for Green Bay.”
The Packers are coming off a bye and have lost their past two games, including a 17-13 road loss against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Green Bay is searching for momentum. After the Broncos, the Packers play their next two games and four of six at home.
“After five games, we’re growing,” said Packers star linebacker Rashan Gary, who has a team-best 4.5 sacks. “We’re still fixing mistakes but we’re right where we want to be. It’s still early season. We still got everything that we want in front of us. We just gotta lock down and be consistent.”
Jordan Love is five games into his tenure as Aaron Rodgers’ replacement, and he has passed for 1,083 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions.
All of the interceptions have come in the past three games, including three in the setback against the Raiders.
The Packers are averaging 281.6 yards per game (28th in the NFL) and have badly missed running back Aaron Jones, limited to just 14 carries in parts of two games due to a hamstring injury.
Jones, a three-time 1,000-yard rusher, hopes to play this week. He was a limited practice participant Wednesday.
“Obviously we miss Jones not being out there, but that’s not an excuse,” Love said. “We’ve got to find a way to go win.”
Packers coach Matt LaFleur dissected the offensive struggles during the team’s bye week.
“It’s just a lot of inconsistent play,” LaFleur said. “It’s been very choppy. We haven’t been able to get into a consistent rhythm.”
Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell (ankle) was the only Green Bay player to miss practice Wednesday. Seven players were limited, including star linebacker Quay Walker (knee), offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (knee) and cornerback Eric Stokes (foot).
Denver tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring) missed practice. Safeties Justin Simmons (hip) and Kareem Jackson (neck) were limited.
The Packers have won four of the past five meetings, most recently a 27-16 home win in 2019.
–Field Level Media
