Thursday, September 14, 2023

Denver Broncos Week 2 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 2 roundup for the Denver Broncos in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 26

Best debut performance: RB Samaje Perine
Week 1 stats: 8 carries for 41 yards; 4 receptions for 37 yards

When the Broncos passed on a deep class of running backs in the draft and signed Perine in free agency, many were still waiting for the Broncos to make another move. They didn't because, in short, they like Perine more than some thought they would. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry in the opening week loss to the Raiders, had the team's longest run of the day (12 yards), showed quality power, caught four passes and was their best back in pass protection. None of it was flashy, but all of it will continue to keep him busy in the Broncos' offense. -- Jeff Legwold

NFL.com -- Rank: 20

The Broncos looked like a slightly cleaner version of what they were a year ago in Sunday's loss to the Raiders. (Yes, I realize that's about as nice a compliment as "you've lost some weight!") But ultimately, they lost another game they had ample chances to win -- a theme that was drilled home time after painful time last season. The lack of trustworthy weaponry worries me. Russell Wilson started the game cleanly, hitting 17 of his first 19 passes with two TDs, yet the Broncos ran out of gas thereafter. Ten penalties certainly hurt, but the lack of big-play threats with WR Jerry Jeudy sidelined for this game and TE Greg Dulcich knocked out with an injury felt stark. This wasn't a horrific start for the Sean Payton era, but it felt similar to an era most Broncos fans want to forget.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 26

Russell Wilson completed a lot of passes, but the ball didn't go down the field enough. That has to change.

USA Today -- Rank: 25

Rough debut for recently added K Wil Lutz, who missed a field goal and extra point in Denver's 17-16 loss.

The Athletic -- Rank: 27

Sean Payton owes Nathaniel Hackett an apology. The Broncos' new boss coached quarterback Russell Wilson to a 177-yard day with two touchdowns and no interceptions in a 17-16 loss. Last year, then-Denver coach Hackett coached Wilson to a 340-yard day in a 17-16 loss in the opener just a few weeks. Seems like Advantage Hackett, who was laughed out of town not long after that game.

FOX -- Rank: 23

It's a step in the right direction that the Broncos were at least watchable in their Week 1 loss to Vegas. Russell Wilson was clean and competent, but it's fair to wonder if dinking and dunking to the tune of 5.2 yards per attempt is going to be good enough. Ultimately, Denver once again failed to crack 20 points.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 27

Russell Wilson was fine, but he wasn't good. He completed a lot of passes for not many yards. Denver scored 16 points on offense against a Raiders defense that probably won't be good this season. It's just hard to be excited about Denver's offense. It looked different than last season, but it was still ineffective.

PFT -- Rank: 25

Despite the outcome, it looked better than last year. It couldn't look much worse.

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