ESPN
Last week: 14
[Kendall] Hinton just keeps moving up the developmental curve with hard work and simply being ready when the Broncos need him. ... He opened the season on the practice squad again, but when Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler each suffered injuries, he was promoted. His toe-tap reception along the sideline for a key third-down conversion in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss in Pittsburgh, along with his first career touchdown earlier in the quarter, were two examples of how far he has come.
Dan Hanzus, NFL.com
Last week: 16
Facing an eight-point deficit in the final minute on Sunday, the Broncos failed in four cracks from inside the Pittsburgh 10. The final play was the clincher, a poorly thrown ball picked off by the Steelers with 11 seconds to play. In these crucible moments, Teddy [Bridgewater] simply needs to be better.
Sports Illustrated
Last week: 16 [Note: A different SI writer constructs their power rankings each week, so change in ranking does not necessarily indicate a direct revision in previous placement]
Denver's lost two straight now, to Baltimore and Pittsburgh, and it seems pretty obvious that as good a story as Teddy Bridgewater is, the Broncos are going to [be] looking for a difference-maker at the most important position. There could be a pretty interesting situation, too, waiting for an Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson here.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Last week: 15
They were sluggish until late in the loss to the Steelers. They've lost two straight after a 3-0 start. Maybe the last two weeks is who they really are as a team.
Bleacher Report
Last week: 15
Denver didn't necessarily play badly against the Steelers. The yardage totals were nearly even, and Teddy Bridgewater had a solid outing with 288 yards and two scores. But it was Pittsburgh who made big plays when it mattered, and the Broncos just couldn't shut down Najee Harris and the Steelers ground game.
After the Broncos' 27-19 loss to the Steelers, we're honing the focus in on the drama of the game with black-and-white photos from our team photographers.
during the NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo by Gabriel Christus
during the NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo by Gabriel Christus
during the NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo by Gabriel Christus
during the NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo by Gabriel Christus
during the NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports
Last week: 14
The loss to the Steelers wasn't close. It looked better when the Broncos rallied in the fourth quarter but the offense was a no-show most of the game. That 3-0 start, against three terrible teams, isn't quite as impressive anymore.
Mark Maske, Washington Post
Previous ranking: 18
Things have gotten predictably more difficult for the Broncos since the 3-0 start built on victories over the Giants, Jaguars and Jets. Sunday's loss to the Steelers was particularly telling about where the Broncos really are.
Nate Davis, USA Today
Last week: 16
They haven't scored a TD on their opening drive in 24 straight games, the worst streak in the league at present, and their 28.6% third-down conversion rate is the NFL's worst. Not sustainable.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Last week: 16
