Denver Broncos: Five simple fixes that can turn the ship around

Fix the tackling issue

What in the world is up with the Broncos’ tackling?

It’s not only that backs and receivers and tight ends are slipping tackles, but the Broncos’ defenders are taking terrible angles, missing easy opportunities.

Right now, the Broncos are averaging about eight missed tackles per game. That is simply an unacceptable number.

The biggest issue is, what are they supposed to do to fix it at this point?

The team’s leader in missed tackles is Darian Stewart with six, followed by Justin Simmons (who once went an entire season without missing a tackle) with five.

The Broncos should get a boost with the return of Su’a Cravens, who is known for his instinctive play and ability to finish as a tackler as well as his ability in man-to-man coverage on tight ends or running backs.

Another big reason the Broncos are struggling with their tackling is their starting linebacker duo of Todd Davis and Brandon Marshall, who keep getting washed out in the running game. There are 100 defensive players in the NFL so far this season with at least three tackles for loss, and the Broncos’ inside linebacker duo is not among that group.

That is sad.

This used to be an attacking group whose second level was a major strength, not a weakness helping contribute to the Broncos’ historic drop in run defense ranking.

By the way, they now rank 32nd in that particular category after giving up nearly 600 yards on the ground to the Jets and Rams combined.

This team simply needs to be more physical and finish plays defensively. The linebackers have to shoot gaps, and the safeties need to do a better job in run support. It’s getting embarrassing as a fan to watch the ineptitude in this category and to see how far they have fallen since 2015, when they were the most physical unit in the league.