IF NOT THE BRONCOS, THEN WHO?

By STEVE KING

If the Browns can’t beat the Denver Broncos, then who can they beat the rest of the season?

That is the burning question—the question of truth – heading into Sunday’s game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.

The Browns’ problems are well-documented. After going into the season with as much hype and hope as they’ve had in 30 years or more, they have pretty much fallen flat onto their faces. They have lost three in a row and stand at 2-5 as they get ready to reach the halfway point of their season. Their offense has been beset with a lack-of-focus false-start penalties, turnovers and questionable calls. Their defense has been beset with injuries.

Indeed, everything that went right in their surge in the last half of last season, creating the enthusiasm for this year, has gone wrong this season.

Fitful? Disappointing? Frustrating?

Yes! Yes!! And yes!!!

It has put their backs squarely against the wall as they try to get up, dust themselves off, rally and salvage their sinking season. Because of their abundance of losses, they have absolutely no room for error.

But as much as the Browns have struggled this year, the Broncos have struggled more. They are even worse than the Browns at 2-6 after an 0-4 start. Two wins followed that, but they have now lost two straight. They are a complete and unadulterated mess.

Their offense has been MIA all year with aging, over-the-hill Joe Flacco at quarterback, but with the fact he has been sidelined with a neck injury, now it is even worse.

For all of his success as a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback for the Broncos, John Elway, now the team’s longtime general manager, can’t find a franchise quarterback and build an offense to save his soul.

The Browns, who have much more talent, especially on the offensive side, ought to beat the Broncos handily. And if they can’t, then who can they expect to beat the rest of the year?