A win! The Denver Broncos enter Week 5 coming off a 31-28 win in Week 4, mounting a 21-point comeback against the lowly Bears, marking the second-largest comeback in team history. Following their win in Chicago, the Broncos move on to the Jets, who are also 1-3 following a heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Broncos, however, enter Week 5 on a higher note than the Jets. Maybe all the Broncos needed to get going was a win and a handful of things to go their way; some momentum and some lucky breaks. Here are three best-case scenarios for the Broncos in week five.
3 best-case scenarios for Denver Broncos vs. NY Jets in Week 5
1) Defense Finally Finding Its Footing
Entering the second half of their matchup with the Bears, the Broncos were running out one of the more pathetic defensive units in NFL history. They were knocked around by the Raiders, manhandled by Sam Howell the week before he threw for multiple interceptions, gave up 70 points to the Dolphins, and then let Justin FIelds walk all over them in the first half. However, the second half had a much different tune.
The Broncos started getting to Fields more frequently, had multiple important defensive plays in the secondary, and created two turnovers: one for a score, one to clinch the win. The defense seemed much more solid in the second half, and as if they were finally finding their footing. Nik Bonitto might have turned in a breakout game, amassing three sacks and a forced fumble on the day.
Additionally, the Broncos should expect some level of defensive reinforcements soon. Justin Simmons might not be out for too much longer, along with Josey Jewell, Mike Purcell, and possibly Frank Clark. Corner K'Waun Williams, safety PJ Locke, and edge rusher Baron Browning are all eligible to return off the IR as well, but none of them have started their practice window to return to play yet. Ultimately, the Broncos will have defensive reinforcements before too long. They can only hope that it is not too late when they arrive.
2) Russ and Receivers Continue To Blend
It is not much of a secret that Russell Wilson struggled mightily for the Broncos in 2022. He put up one of the worst years a starting quarterback, let alone one paid the way he was, has ever put up. However, 2023 has had much a different tune. Russ has thrown for over 1,000 yards, nine touchdowns, and just two interceptions through four games. Russ's improved play has also helped his receivers blend into the new offense better, namely Courtland Sutton and rookie Marvin Mims.
Courtland Sutton, after a career-changing injury and arguably losing his WR1 job in 2022, is on pace for over 12 touchdowns, just under 1,000 yards, and arguably the most productive year of his career. As for Mims, the rookie from Oklahoma entered his first season with unclear expectations and an unclear role. Mims took his first kickoff return to the house during week three in Miami, but he has also been explosive as a receiver.
Mims currently leads the team with 242 receiving yards on just nine receptions and 11 targets. Mims figures to shoulder a larger load as the season goes on, but he gives the Broncos and Wilson something they did not have last year, and have not had in a while: a viable, if not elite, deep threat. Mims' explosiveness has allowed the Broncos to open up the field and proved vital in Chicago. As time progresses, Wilson, Mims, and Sutton will only grow stronger with Jerry Jeudy by their side.
3) McLaughlin Provides Another Strong Back Option
The running back position has been an interesting one for the Broncos since their loss in Oakland in 2022. Since Javonte Williams suffered a massive knee injury that ended his 2022 campaign, the Broncos have made massive question marks in the backfield. The team brought in the likes of Latavius Murray and Marlon Mack to end the 2022 season, but neither returned for 2023. They signed veteran back Samaje Perine to work with Williams in 2023, and the former Bengal has proved important so far. However, with Williams leaving week four injured after missing almost all of 2022, it is fair to question how Williams factors into the Broncos' plans beyond this upcoming game.
Enter Jaleel McLaughlin. McLaughlin got his largest share of snaps in his young career and did not let the opportunity pass him by. McLaughlin ran the ball seven times for 72 yards, including his first career rushing touchdown.
On the other side of the offense, McLaughlin brought in three passes for 32 yards. Overall, McLaughlin had 104 total yards for the Broncos in his biggest game yet. McLaughlin poses a much different skill set than Perine or Williams, and with the possibility that the Broncos take a rehabbing Williams slow due to how many games he missed in 2022, it is possible that the Broncos rely heavily on McLaughlin again in week five, giving him a second straight game with a large workload, and giving him the chance to move up the Broncos depth chart and give them a true tri-threat backfield.