Denver Broncos Week 17 Preview

Introduction

As we wrap up Week 17 of the 2023 NFL season, the Denver Broncos find themselves in a familiar territory: trying to figure out how to turn things around after a narrow loss to the New England Patriots. The Broncos fell 23-26 in a game that was as frustrating as it was revealing. With the playoffs out of reach, the focus now shifts to evaluating performance and building for the future. In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into the stats from Week 16, compare them to the previous week, and preview our upcoming matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Spoiler alert: it’s going to be a wild ride!

Power Ranking

The Broncos currently sit at a disheartening power ranking of 27, with a win rate against a median opponent of just 36.0%. This is a stark reminder that while we may have had high hopes at the beginning of the season, the reality is that we are firmly in the bottom half of the league. Last week’s performance against the Patriots did little to bolster our standing, and with the playoffs slipping further away, it’s crucial that we focus on what we can control: our performance on the field.

Overall Drive Efficiency

Overall drive efficiency is where we really need to turn things around, as we currently rank 30th in the league. This is not just a statistic; it’s a reflection of our struggles to sustain drives and put points on the board. In Week 16, we managed only 276 yards and coughed up the ball twice, which is a recipe for disaster. While our offensive drive efficiency ranked 14th, indicating some potential, our inability to translate that into scoring opportunities is a glaring issue. We need to find a way to convert those drives into touchdowns rather than field goals or, worse yet, turnovers.

Defensive Drive Efficiency

On the defensive side of the ball, the Broncos have found themselves at the bottom of the barrel, ranking 32nd in defensive drive efficiency. This week against the Patriots, we allowed them to gain 289 yards, which is simply unacceptable. Our inability to stop opposing offenses has been a recurring theme this season, and it’s something we must address if we want to salvage any pride in the final weeks. The Chargers will be licking their chops, looking to exploit our defensive weaknesses, so we need to step up our game.

Offensive Drive Efficiency

Despite our overall struggles, our offensive drive efficiency ranked 14th in the league, which is a small silver lining. This suggests that we have the capability to move the ball effectively, but we must learn to finish drives. The two turnovers in Week 16 were particularly damaging, and they overshadowed what could have been a productive outing. As we prepare for the Chargers, we need to focus on maintaining possession and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Every yard counts, and we can’t afford to squander chances.

Defensive Turnover Efficiency

Our defensive turnover efficiency ranks 19th, which isn’t exactly stellar, but at least we’re not dead last in this category. Generating turnovers is crucial for giving our offense more opportunities to score, and we need to find ways to create chaos for opposing quarterbacks. The Chargers have their own turnover issues, so this could be an area where we can capitalize if we play our cards right. It’s all about seizing the moment and turning the tide in our favor.

Offensive Turnover Efficiency

On the offensive side, our turnover efficiency ranks 11th, which is a bit of a paradox considering our overall performance. While we’ve managed to hold onto the ball better than many teams, the key is to ensure that we don’t let those moments slip away. The two turnovers against the Patriots were critical, and they ultimately cost us the game. If we can maintain our efficiency and minimize mistakes, we’ll have a much better chance against the Chargers.

Drive Time

With a drive time ranking of 13th, we’re in a decent position when it comes to how quickly we can move the ball down the field. However, this statistic can be a double-edged sword. While it’s great that we can move quickly, we also need to be strategic about controlling the clock. The ability to take time off the clock can be just as valuable, especially when protecting a lead. Against the Chargers, we’ll need to find the right balance between speed and efficiency to keep their offense off the field.

Preview For Next Week

Looking ahead to our matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, the stakes are high for both teams as we head into the final week of the season. The Chargers are coming in with a slight edge, winning 53% of the time according to our simulations, and they have a good chance of covering the spread. With an over/under of 36.5 points, it’s clear that both teams will be looking to capitalize on their scoring opportunities. The Chargers’ offense has been inconsistent, but if we can’t tighten up our defense, they could have a field day. We’ll need to put our best foot forward, execute our game plan, and show that we can compete, even if the playoffs are out of reach.

Conclusion

As we approach the end of the season, the Denver Broncos have a lot to reflect on. The stats tell a story of inconsistency and missed opportunities, but they also highlight areas for improvement. With one last chance to make a statement against the Chargers, it’s time to dig deep and show what this team is capable of. Let’s finish strong and give our fans something to cheer about as we head into the offseason.

Stay tuned to advancedfootballstats.com for more data-driven insights and analysis as we continue to follow the Denver Broncos' journey throughout the 2023 NFL season.