Denver Broncos: 5 players who must be better in week three

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos misses a reception under coverage by defensive back Rashaan Melvin #22 of the Oakland Raiders at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos misses a reception under coverage by defensive back Rashaan Melvin #22 of the Oakland Raiders at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 16: Tight end Jared Cook #87 of the Oakland Raiders is hit by defensive back Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos after a reception in the second quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 16: Tight end Jared Cook #87 of the Oakland Raiders is hit by defensive back Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos after a reception in the second quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

The Denver Broncos came away from their week two matchup against the Oakland Raiders with a win. Which five players need to be better in week three?

The Denver Broncos beat the Oakland Raiders to improve to 2-0 on the season, but their undefeated record is not indicative of the fact that they have not played four quarters of complete football yet.

This early in the season, that’s perhaps a bit of an unreasonable expectation.

There are always going to be kinks to work out throughout the year. Injuries pop up, and NFL teams are forced to make lemonade weekly with the ingredients they are given. With that said, the Broncos are almost completely healthy (aside from Jared Veldheer being in concussion protocol). They still have yet to find a groove for two or even three quarters, much less an entire game of football.

Again, playing four quarters of flawless football is an unreasonable expectation, but the ability is certainly there for the Broncos to be better than they have been.

While victory is sweet when your team comes from behind, it’s much more comforting to go week by week knowing what type of performance you are capable of versus continually dreaming about that perfect week.

If the Broncos put together four quarters of the best football they are capable of playing, they would annihilate most teams in the league. This is a team with a lot of really talented and smart players, so what needs to get better? Better yet — who needs to get better?

Certain players are being forced to carry more than their fair share of the load. Guys are getting picked up by their teammates, which is just the nature of sports. Which players stood out against Oakland, and which players stand out this season as players who need to step up in week three as the Broncos travel East to play the Baltimore Ravens?

Here are five.