ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — In the Vic Fangio era, hot starts have been foreign to the Broncos. Until this year.
However, the Broncos and fast starts haven’t been complete strangers since Peyton Manning hung ’em up following the 2015 season. In 2016 and 2017, the Broncos had a winning record after the first quarter of the season. Then things fell apart.
On Sunday, the Broncos have an opportunity to accomplish six things that they haven’t been able to do since at least the Gary Kubiak era. All six would be incredibly encouraging for the team moving forward.
Start 3-0
Last time Denver accomplished this: 2016
The last time the Broncos started the season with three-straight wins was the last time the organization had a winning record. Although the 2016 team didn’t make the playoffs, they were still stacked with talent on defense and were the defending Super Bowl Champs.
The 2016 team went on to win their first four games, before dropping their fifth.
Interestingly enough, Denver only started 3-0 half of the seasons during the Peyton Manning era—in 2013 and 2015. If the Broncos beat the Jets on Sunday, Teddy Bridgewater will be off to a faster start in Denver than Manning was able to get off to his first year with the team when they went 1-2 in their first three games.
All signs point to the 2021 Broncos being able to get to that 3-0 start as they return home to face the 0-2 Jets as double-digit point favorites.
Three-straight double-digit point victories
Last time Denver accomplished this: 2016
The Broncos haven’t dominated opponents in three-straight games since their undefeated start as defending Super Bowl Champs.
Since Manning retired, outside of the 2016 start, Denver’s only had one three-game win streak in the past five season. However, in that three-game win streak they had in 2018, they only beat one of their opponents by more than 10 points.
The Broncos were able to accomplish this impressive task with Manning in 2012, 2013 and 2014, but interestingly enough, they weren’t able to do this during their Super Bowl season in 2015. The last time Denver had a three-game win streak in which they beat their opponents by 10 or more points in each game before the Manning era was in 2006.
Once again, the Jets are a prime candidate for the Broncos to beat by double digits as New York lost by 19 points in Week 2.
Only one turnover in the first three games
Last time Denver accomplished this: 2000
This was never once accomplished in the Manning era. In fact, in Peyton’s four years in Denver, those Broncos teams averaged 4.25 turnovers in their first three games of the season. Through two games, Bridgewater’s Broncos are on pace for 1.5 turnovers in their first three games.
If Denver doesn’t turn the ball over against the Jets on Sunday, they’ll accomplish something that a Broncos team hasn’t done since the very beginning of the century.
Last year, Denver had five turnovers in their first three games. An 80 percent drop in just a year would be massively impressive.
The Jets aren’t a takeaway machine either as they have only forced a single turnover in their first two games.
Have a QB throw no INTs in the first three games
Last time Denver accomplished this: 2013
If ball security is job security, as Brock Osweiler once said, then Teddy Bridgewater’s job is as safe as can be.
The last time a quarterback donning Orange & Blue didn’t have a single interception in his first three games of the season was Manning’s historic record-breaking 2013 season. In that year, of course, Peyton tossed a record 55 touchdowns and 5,477 yards. Manning’s first interception that season came in Week 5.
Through four games, Manning had 12 touchdowns and no interceptions. Currently, Bridgewater is on pace for eight touchdowns and no picks though the first quarter of the season.
The 2013 season was the only time Manning didn’t throw a single interception in the first three games of a season during his time with Denver.
Bridgewater has a prime opportunity to tie Peyton as the Jets don’t have a single interception so far this year.
Hold opponents to less than 14 points in each of the first three games
Last time Denver accomplished this: 2009
On Sunday, Denver’s defense has an opportunity to be off to a special start to the season as well.
Even Denver’s dominant Super Bowl 50 defense was not able to hold their first three opponents under two touchdowns in each game. In 2015, the Broncos held the Ravens to 13 points in Week 1 and the Lions to 12 points in Week 3, but gave up 24 points to the Chiefs in Week 2.
In 2009, the Broncos’ defense held their first three opponents to an incredible seven, six and three total points. Through the first two weeks of the 2021 season, Denver has allowed just 13 points in each game.
Fortunately for Vic Fangio, the Jets have the second-worst scoring offense in the NFL. New York is only averaging 10 points per game as they racked up 14 points in Week 1, but only six in Week 2.
Force five takeaways in the first three games
Last time Denver accomplished this: 2016
As safe as Denver’s offense has been protecting the ball this year, their defense has been just as dangerous taking it away.
Through three games, Denver has forced three turnovers. Two more against the Jets would give them five through three games. The last time they were able to do this they were the defending Super Bowl Champs.
That 2016 team was also the last time the Broncos forced at least one turnover in each of their first three games of the season. Incredibly enough, Wade Phillips’ unit was able to continue that streak all the way until Week 9.
Last year, Denver only had two takeaways in their first three games. Both came in a single game. Two years ago, however, was even worse as Denver got off to a historically slow start in terms of takeaways and sacks. They didn’t have a single takeaway in their first three games.
Once again, fortunately, the Jets have a whopping five turnovers in their first two games. There’s no reason Denver’s defense can’t get the ball at least twice on Sunday.
