Welcome to Broncos Buzz, where The Post’s sports staff will gather each week to cover the storylines they’re most interested in. Maybe it’s a juicy matchup (hello, Russell Wilson and Pittsburgh in Week 2) or an under-the-surface trend. Each week, it’ll be a first cast of thoughts about Sean Payton’s team, the Broncos’ opponent or something specific to the week that our reporters are thinking about.
Week 1 is here and Denver is headed to Seattle for a Sunday afternoon opener against the Seahawks. So Let’s Ride… wait. Let’s get to it.
Parker Gabriel, Broncos beat reporter: For all of the talk about Bo Nix and the Broncos quarterbacks this offseason, Vance Joseph’s defense has flown under the radar. But make no mistake: This group must get off to a much better start than it did last fall. Despite the turnover-fueled renaissance in the middle of the 2023 season, the total product put out by Denver last year did not look good. The Broncos finished 27th in scoring defense, 29th in yardage allowed, 30th in rushing yards allowed and languished near the bottom of ESPN’s win rates in both the run game and rushing the passer. In 2024, Joseph is betting on a more aggressive style and a revamped defensive line to turn things around. If it happens, this team could surprise and Joseph could find himself back on the head coaching interview circuit. If the Broncos falter, though, the pressure and conversation about Joseph’s job security will ramp up fast.
Not only that but Week 1 on the road against a coordinator new to the NFL in Ryan Grubb and a quarterback in Geno Smith who is not afraid to rip the ball down the field makes for a fascinating first test. All eyes will be on Nix, but the 2024 Broncos are going to go as their defense goes.
Troy Renck, columnist: Let’s not rush to judgment. The Broncos want us to believe they are different, that they are better. The only thing we know for certain is that they are younger. They are breaking in rookie quarterback Bo Nix in a hostile environment. How will they improve? The Broncos must run the ball well against a Seattle team that has been horrible against ground attacks the past two seasons.
Javonte Williams, 10 pounds lighter, regained his burst in training camp, making Samaje Perine expendable. But can he get better around the goal line? He has seven rushing touchdowns, all in the red zone, in 37 games. Or will the Broncos lean on the committee approach with Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime? New Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald is known as a defensive genius, but Seattle’s run personnel remains shaky unless rookie Byron Murphy dominates from the start. The Broncos must aim for 125 rushing yards to win, meaning Williams has to prove he’s still a capable NFL starter.
Ryan McFadden, Broncos beat reporter: Outside of Courtland Sutton, who else will emerge as a legitimate weapon for Nix? Sutton established himself as the best offensive option on Denver’s roster last fall. But if Nix wants to have a successful rookie campaign, he will need more than Sutton to contribute in the passing game.
Second-year receiver Marvin Mims Jr. has the speed to be a deep-ball threat, while Josh Reynolds and Devaughn Vele are big targets like Sutton. However, tight end Greg Dulcich could be the key for the Broncos improving their offensive production from last year. Dulcich hasn’t been able to showcase his true potential, as he has been plagued with hamstring injuries over the past two seasons. This summer provided a glimpse of what a fully healthy Dulcich can provide. Now it’s time to see it on the big stage.
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