Broncos gassers following blowout loss to Rams and looking ahead to Week 17 at Chiefs

Gassers and a look ahead following the Broncos’ 51-14 loss to the Rams in Week 16 to fall to 4-11.

Russell Wilson

Two of his first three passes went for interceptions, and didn’t get much better from there, as Wilson finished with a 54.2 rating and with three picks for the fifth time in his career. What are the Broncos paying for? What did GM George Paton trade the house for? So far, the answers to both questions is a giant lemon.

Broncos defensive line

Los Angeles set the tone on the ground from the game’s opening possession. Cam Akers ran for 118 yards and three TDs, looking like an All-Pro tailback. The Rams consistently got chunk yardage when running the ball on first down, and also converted short-yardage situations like they did on 4th-and-1 in the third quarter.

Broncos offensive line

A week after Latavius Murray became the team’s first 100-yard rusher in a single game this year, the Broncos’ run game and pass protection was sketchy at SoFi. The Broncos had 20 rushes for 104 yards, and Russell Wilson was also sacked six times for 40 yards, among other hurries, hits and pocket breakdowns.

Nathaniel Hackett

The Broncos turned in the most uninspired performance of the season. Even with the Rams’ struggles, Los Angeles boss Sean McCay completely outcoached Hackett, and torched Ejiro Evero’s defense in the process. It looks like Denver players have quit on Hackett; it wouldn’t be surprising if the Broncos’ front office feels the same way.