3 NFL teams in must-win mode for Week 3: Cardinals, Broncos desperate

3. Denver Broncos

This is a hard one to figure. The Broncos should be one of the premier teams in the AFC. They spent a quarter of a billion dollars on Russell Wilson, have two solid backs in Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams, and have outstanding receivers in Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. Yet here we are. Denver lost in week 1 to a Geno Smith-led Seahawk team in what should have been the classic revenge game, and week 2 squeaked to a close victory at home against a young, scrappy Texan team. What gives?

I’ll tell you what, Nathaniel Hackett. The first-year head coach has an experienced, potential hall of fame quarterback, and a bevy of skill talent, but they all look lost and disjointed. There is a lack of communication, and absolutely no discernible game plan. Do they run? Do they pass? It looks like they are making plays up in the huddle.

Wilson completed less than 50 percent of his passes in the win over the Texans, and if the disorganization on offense keeps up, there’s no way the Denver Broncos will either. If the Broncos drop week three to the San Francisco 49’ers, with another looming game with Raiders the week after, the air could get even thinner in Denver for Nathaniel Hackett.

Obviously, there is a lot of football left, and who knows how these teams will respond to adversity, but these are three franchises that definitely need wins in week 3.