Matt Schubert, Deputy Sports Editor

The coaches call the plays, so at least some (most?) of the blame must be laid at the feet of head coach Nathaniel Hackett and his staff. That said, Russ did audible to the same failed play (fade to Courtland Sutton) on second down the first time the Broncos were inside the 3-yard line on Sunday. And his stat line inside the 20 through two games (8 of 18, 46 yards) leaves a lot to be desired. While he may not be the biggest contributor to the problem, he’s not done much to solve it.

Sean Keeler, sports columnist

More than Broncos Country would want to admit, Wilson has the final say at the line of scrimmage, and the trust of a coaching staff whose inexperience has become a national NFL narrative. Out of 16 plays inside the opponents’ 10, the Broncos have thrown it 12 times — and Wilson’s only completed five of them. Yes, Jerry Jeudy’s hurt. Yes, the tight end room still lacks star power. But on a roster with Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon at tailback, that ratio is all kind of wrong. Russ needs to remember that the end zone is a binary deal — you either get there or you don’t. Style points don’t matter. Six points do.

Kyle Newman, Broncos reporter

Meanwhile, in Kansas City: Patrick Mahomes is 13 of 17 inside the red zone, with six TDs and no interceptions, and 7 of 10 inside the 10. That’s the bar for red zone passing in the AFC West, and Wilson and Hackett have a long way to go to match the chemistry that Mahomes and coach Andy Reid have. While Hackett and Wilson deserve their fair share of grief for the team’s 0-6 start on red zone possessions, so does the offensive line. They’ve bungled numerous calls near the goal line, including the pivotal play where Javonte Williams was stuffed and fumbled against Seattle. Both Garett Bolles and Graham Glasgow were pass-blocking on the run audible.