Nearly everyone is writing off the Denver Broncos in 2019. After back-to-back losing seasons, it is easy for the talking heads to say it is going to be more of the same.

Most such pundits are enjoying the fact that they can finally bash the franchise that hadn’t suffered consecutive losing seasons since before Watergate. Their mistake is they haven’t taken the time to dig a little deeper. If they had, these pundits would understand why the Broncos are going to bounce back and do so in grand fashion.

The truth about Flacco

Let’s start with the most important position, the quarterback. Joe Flacco is taking the reigns from the ineffective Case Keenum and it is important to understand why this makes a significant difference. Most analysts are looking at Flacco’s stats and saying he is just another Keenum.

Flacco is not a statistics machine and he will never be mistaken for Drew Brees. What he does do is wins games. In the nine seasons that he has started all sixteen games, he has not had a losing record.

However, that doesn’t mean Flacco carries the team on his back. Wait a darn minute. The player at the most important position on the field isn’t the reason for the team’s success? That is correct.

Flacco's success as a winner has more to do with the team than his arm. When the sports analysts scour the statistics boards for talking points, they don’t find that 'wow' factor in Flacco. Broncos fans should be just fine with that.

With fantasy football tuning more and more people into the NFL, it is easy to look at Flacco’s stats and go 'ho-hum' and write the team off. What most of the box score analysts and stat junkies forget is that it is a team game filled with contributors to winning besides the quarterback.

This is why Flacco thrives. The two key ingredients for his success have been defense and the running game.

What's next for the Denver Broncos? Don’t miss out on any news, take a second to sign up for our FREE Broncos newsletter!

Broncos have the defense & running game

In the six seasons he has led his team to the playoffs, Flacco has been helped by a defense ranked in at least the top-12 for points against and a running attack that was in the top-12 for rushing attempts. Only one season did both of those happen, 2017, and he missed the playoffs.

If not for a 49-yard pass for a touchdown in the final minute of the final game of the season that Ravens squad would have also made the playoffs. In the others seasons he did not lead his team to the playoffs, at least one of those two ingredients were missing.

I know what you are thinking; how could Joe Flacco be the answer? He isn’t and hasn’t been the complete answer for his teams in the past. What he has been, though, is a steady performer and that has been enough. The rest of the Broncos are the answer, starting with the defense.

Fangio bump

Will the defense check off their box and rank at No. 12 or better for points against? Vic Fangio is a defensive-minded coach and as a defensive coordinator, his units have ranked in the top-10 eight times including No. 1 last season.

The Broncos' defense is loaded with talent. Von Miller is arguably the best defensive player in the game. Chris Harris, Jr. ranks as one of the best cornerbacks in the game. Bradley Chubb is coming off an outstanding rookie season and several other young players like Justin Simmons, Will Parks, and Shelby Harris, are entering the prime of their careers.

Last season the Broncos ranked No. 13 in points against while dealing with injuries to key players, rookies playing significant time and an offense that could not stay on the field (the offense ranked 28th in the league in third-down efficiency. Add this all up and the defense is poised for a big season in 2019.

RB stable teeming with talent

Now, the running game. Last season, the Broncos ranked No. 12 for rushing attempts with two rookies, Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman carrying the load. They both will be better in year two.

Add in the fact that the new offensive coordinator, Rich Scangarello, comes from the Shanahan coaching tree and this Broncos offense is going to rely heavily on the rushing attack. That is just what the doctor ordered to take the pressure off of Flacco and let him be the steady performer that leads to wins.

Bottom line

It is a high probability that both the Broncos defense and the running game will check off the two boxes necessary. Flacco will do the rest and get the Broncos back to the playoffs this season.