The Denver Broncos not only lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they also made some seriously inexcusable mistakes in the process.
The Denver Broncos not only lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, dropping to 3-2 on the 2021 season, but they were basically without any positive takeaways through three quarters.
Until midway through the fourth quarter, the Denver Broncos were without a touchdown. They had given up big plays in the passing game to the Steelers and allowed Najee Harris to have his best game of the season despite Pittsburgh ranking 32nd in rushing yards and rushing attempts coming into the game.
Aside from a fun fourth quarter run at a tie, it was an otherwise ugly, terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day at the office for the Denver Broncos.
Denver Broncos: 5 inexcusable mistakes in loss against Steelers
After starting the season 3-0, how is anyone supposed to take this team seriously right now? They are still 3-2 and both the Raiders and Chiefs also lost in week 5. The end of the game was positive for the Denver Broncos, but can they carry that momentum into week six with their first divisional matchup of 2021?
We’ll see.
For the time being, let’s look at five inexcusable mistakes that were made in this loss to the Steelers.
1. Noah Fant’s (lack of) involvement in the passing game
Noah Fant was completely inactive in this game as a receiver through the first three quarters.
As a matter of fact, he hadn’t seen a target until the fourth quarter of the game.
Vic Fangio’s explanation on Monday:
#Broncos Fangio on how used Noah Fant. Was used in protection more. "We chipped outside rushers a little more, and that will limit tight in passing routes." #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) October 11, 2021
This is as unacceptable of an answer as you will get with this kind of question.
The Denver Broncos are down Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler at the moment. Fant is one of their three best receivers and one of the team’s best offensive weapons in general.
Yet he is out there attempting to “chip” TJ Watt, one of the best pass rushers in the game?
What is the purpose of Andrew Beck being on the roster if not for this exact thing?
Fant should be split out wide and playing a receiver position, blocking only in the running game, not when the Broncos are throwing the ball.
This is a hilariously bad decision and a hilariously bad explanation of an obvious mistake in the game plan.