Denver Broncos: 5 inexcusable mistakes in loss against Steelers

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
5 of 5
Denver Broncos, Diontae Spencer
Denver Broncos return specialist Diontae Spencer. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)

Denver Broncos: 5 inexcusable mistakes in loss against Steelers

5. Targeting Diontae Spencer in the final sequence of the game

The Denver Broncos made an impressive comeback late in this game against the Steelers thanks to an aggressive, up-tempo passing attack.

Who knew that might work if they tried it?

The offense made its way into the red zone and in a goal-to-go situation as time was running out. It was an extremely favorable situation for the Broncos, who needed just one successful play from a handful of yards out to potentially tie the game at 27.

One of the plays, a third-and-goal from the three-yard line, was a fade across the field to…

Diontae Spencer?

The return man?

Why Diontae Spencer was even on the field in this situation is beyond explanation or justification.

The Denver Broncos have Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick. David Moore has 13 career touchdown receptions. Even Kendall Hinton had a touchdown earlier in the game as well as a huge play on this particular drive to set up the Broncos in scoring position.

Not to mention, the team has Noah Fant and Eric Saubert, two big-bodied targets. Andrew Beck has the ability to win in red zone situations.

Honestly, and with all due respect, Spencer is the last guy I would have been throwing to in this situation. He shouldn’t have even been on the field.

This is yet another sign of the incompetence of the coaching staff to make appropriate personnel decisions at this particular point in time.

The very next play was an intercepted pass, Teddy Bridgewater’s first interception of the year.

Schedule