Falcons, Broncos and 3 other teams poised to bounce back in 2020

4. Denver Broncos (7-9 in 2019)

After suffering through back-to-back losing campaigns for the first time since 1971 and ‘72, Denver Broncos’ head honcho John Elway made a head coaching change a little over a year ago with the hiring of defensive-minded Vic Fangio. The longtime assistant supplanted Vance Joseph after his teams combined for 11-21 mark over two seasons.

Things weren’t any better early on in 2019. The Broncos got off to a rare 0-4 start and Elway’s latest quarterback experiment – former Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl champion Joe Flacco – wasn’t setting the world on fire. More surprising, Fangio’s specialty was the other side of the ball. Denver failed to record a sack in its first three outings and did not come up with a takeaway during the winless start.

Eventually it would be exit Flacco, enter and exit Brandon Allen and enter rookie Drew Lock. All told, Denver won four of its final five games with him behind center. The Broncos’ defense got better as time wore on and Fangio’s squad was 7-5 in their final dozen outings.

The team also brings the likes of versatile running back Melvin Gordon, interior Graham Glasgow and defensive tackle Jurrell Casey – the latter obtained via trade from the Titans. Elway also swung a deal for cornerback A.J. Bouye as Chris Harris is now a member of the rival Chargers. Somewhat under the radar, the Men from Mile High appear to be building something pretty formidable and bring a little momentum in 2020.

Next: No. 3