5 major problems the Denver Broncos must fix or they’ll miss the playoffs

Denver Broncos problem no. 3: Way too many penalties

The Denver Broncos are currently leading the league in penalties with 25. In just two games, having 25 penalties is ridiculous and embarrassing. The Broncos’ penalties have obviously come in all shapes and sizes. Even if you consider the fact that the Broncos have played with some flag-happy officials in the first two weeks, and even if you consider some of the penalties to be questionable calls, there are simply way too many issues here.

Pre-snap, illegal blocking downfield, illegal chop blocks, personal fouls, unsportsmanlike conduct, delay of game — you name it, the Broncos have probably been called for it already within two games.

You can’t be giving up over 100 yards of field position every game to your opponent with penalties and expect to win. The Broncos have also benefited from some penalties being called on the other side as well, but a pass interference deep downfield against Courtland Sutton and a false start by the running back when your plan is to hard count are two very different things.

In one instance, you have Sutton beating a player downfield and the cornerback deciding that a penalty is a better play than giving up a long touchdown. In the case of the 2022 Denver Broncos — who are 0-for-6 in the red zone — this is bordering on a wise decision by the corner instead of just playing with good technique.

In another instance, you have Melvin Gordon getting called for holding downfield, trying to block a player off the field entirely when his block is no longer providing anything positive or meaningful to the play. A lot of these penalties by the Broncos stand out as being simply dumb, for a lack of a better term. They are not penalties you expect to see throughout the course of a season but 25 penalties in two games will absolutely have fans watching games from home expecting to see a yellow graphic on the TV anytime the Broncos have a big play.