2023 NFL Power Rankings: Denver Broncos

Fantasy surprise: RB Jaleel McLaughlin

The undrafted rookie continues to be a big play waiting to happen. He is tied for the team lead in touchdowns with three -- one rushing, two receiving -- is the team's leading rusher, is averaging 7.3 yards per carry and has four rushing attempts of at least 12 yards in the last two games alone. The Broncos say he's going to get more touches because he's earned them. -- Jeff Legwold

There were plenty of things worth pointing fingers at after the loss to the Jets, but it starts with Sean Payton. After all, Payton put the focus on himself with preseason comments that clearly played a role in fueling the Jets on Sunday. Was it arrogant? Meant to shield his players? Whatever it was, it has backfired tremendously in Payton's 1-4 start in Denver. That the Broncos reasonably could be 3-2 (and unreasonably, 4-1) is no solace when one loss came by 50 points. There have been too many self-inflicted errors to call this team a wolf in sheep's clothing. The offense went ice cold most of the second half against New York, and the run defense was chewed up once more. Back to square one.

Losing to the Jets isn't a good look for Sean Payton after his comments about Nathaniel Hackett. The defense is terrible.

Naturally, when you crown yourselves with dopey "snowcapped" helmets, another Rocky Mountain meltdown is completely inevitable.

The Broncos used their first pick of the 2023 draft on Oklahoma wide receiver Marvin Mims (No. 63), so why aren't they using him more? Mims, who had one catch for 4 yards on Sunday, is playing only about one-third of the offensive snaps, but he's second in the NFL in yards per target (20.5), according to TruMedia. Maybe he should have more than 12 targets this season?

Denver gets off so lucky here. The only reason they aren't lower is that they already beat the Bears, and because things somehow look worse in three other NFL cities. It's a bad look losing the Nathaniel Hackett Bowl to the guy Denver chased out of town. But what's definitely worse is the way the Broncos defense has turned into the worst unit in the league.

Denver has the 2023 NBA champions and the 2022 Stanley Cup champions, and just up the road is Deion Sanders and the most-watched college football team of this season. At some point, Broncos fans are going to ditch the habit of watching that team and tune into the more interesting teams in the area. The Broncos are terrible and irrelevant, and head coach Sean Payton's act is not exactly endearing when he's losing, and it's all probably not getting better Thursday night at Kansas City.

Russell Wilson's second year in Denver is starting to feel like his last one.

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