Breaking news:‘I Was Expecting a Little Bit More’: Broncos Country Reacts to First Game of the Season
The 2024 NFL season kicked off with anticipation for the Denver Broncos and their fanbase, as expectations were high following a tumultuous few years. With new leadership, new talent, and fresh hope, Broncos Country was eager to see how the team would perform in their season opener. However, the reaction from fans following the game was mixed, with many expressing disappointment in the team’s performance despite the win.
The Broncos faced off against the Minnesota Vikings in their first regular-season game at home in Mile High Stadium, and the contest was expected to be a closely contested affair. Denver had made significant moves in the offseason to shore up both its offense and defense, with fans hoping these changes would help the team find some consistency and avoid the mistakes that plagued them in recent years.
But when the final whistle blew, with the Broncos securing a narrow 20-17 victory, many fans were left feeling underwhelmed. While the win was important in the early stages of the season, the way the team had performed didn’t match the optimism that had been building in the offseason.
“I was expecting a little bit more,” said one fan outside of Mile High Stadium after the game. “We got the win, which is great, but it didn’t feel like we dominated. There were too many missed opportunities, especially on offense. The defense was solid, but it’s just not enough to get excited about.”
This sentiment was echoed across various fan platforms and social media, where reactions ranged from frustration to cautious optimism. Many fans were quick to point out the shortcomings in the Broncos’ offensive game plan. Quarterback Russell Wilson, who had a strong finish to the 2023 season, struggled to find a rhythm early on in the game, throwing for only 195 yards and one touchdown. While he didn’t commit any turnovers, his performance was far from spectacular, and some fans were hoping for a more dominant showing.
“Russell’s been here for a couple of seasons now, and he still doesn’t look like the guy we thought we were getting,” said one critic on a Broncos subreddit. “He’s capable of so much more, but we still see the same inconsistencies. The offense needs to find its identity, and quickly.”
In addition to Wilson’s performance, the running game, which had shown promise in the preseason, also struggled to gain any traction against the Vikings’ defense. Javonte Williams, one of the Broncos’ primary weapons on the ground, averaged just 3.1 yards per carry, and the team only rushed for 98 total yards. The lack of a strong running game forced Denver to rely heavily on Wilson’s arm, but without a solid offensive line showing, the offense couldn’t sustain long drives or find the end zone as frequently as fans had hoped.
Defensively, the Broncos had a more favorable showing. The defense was able to stifle Minnesota’s offense and keep them out of the end zone for much of the game. New additions to the defensive line, including rookie defensive tackle Travis Etienne Jr., provided solid pressure on Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, forcing him into uncomfortable situations. The Broncos’ secondary, led by Patrick Surtain II, also played admirably, keeping the Minnesota wide receivers in check for much of the contest.
However, there were still moments of concern for Broncos Country, with defensive breakdowns that allowed the Vikings to stay in the game longer than expected. Minnesota’s offense, though limited, found some success late in the game, with Cousins hitting a few big passes to keep the game close.
“It’s great that the defense played well, but it’s still frustrating to see how easily Minnesota moved the ball at times,” said another fan. “We need to be more consistent, especially if we want to be contenders this season.”
Special teams were another area where the Broncos showed both promise and room for improvement. Kicker Will Lutz connected on all of his field goal attempts, including a crucial 49-yarder in the fourth quarter to give the Broncos a three-point lead. However, there were also some special teams miscues, including a punt return that set up a short field for the Vikings late in the game. The lack of consistency across all phases of the game left some fans wondering if this team could truly contend for a playoff spot, despite the victory.
“I’m happy with the win, but I can’t say I’m overly impressed,” said another season ticket holder. “It felt like we were just going through the motions for a lot of that game. We need to improve on both sides of the ball if we want to make any noise in the playoffs this year.”
Despite the concerns, there were still many positive takeaways for the Broncos moving forward. The victory itself is significant, as starting the season 1-0 is always important. The defense, which had been a weak point for the team in previous seasons, looked like a legitimate unit that could carry the team if needed. With a couple of key offensive adjustments and more cohesion, the Broncos may still have the pieces in place to make a strong playoff push.
Ultimately, Broncos Country remains cautiously optimistic. Fans understand that the first game of the season is just the beginning, and there’s plenty of time to improve. However, with heightened expectations, the Broncos’ first win of the season felt more like a missed opportunity to show that they were ready to contend for a playoff spot, rather than a dominating statement victory.
