Fumbles are a big problem, especially if you’re a running back. It becomes more of an issue of those fumble issues pop up against hated division rivals.
Sunday the Raiders beat the Broncos, completing a season sweep of the longtime bitter rivals. In the game, Melvin Gordon fumbled the ball with the Broncos in third and one from the Vegas three-yard-line. Broncos offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz would fall on it, but it meant the Broncos would settle for a field goal attempt…then the field goal attempt was blocked.
The Broncos would go on to lose the game in overtime and the next morning, Gordon lost his job.
The Broncos have announced they cut the veteran former Pro Bowler.
Before you think this is a kneejerk reaction, this is not Gordon’s first fumble this season. It’s his fifth.
His last fumble before this one? In the Broncos loss to the Raiders in week four.
That fumble came after a run that put the Broncos in field goal range and popped right into the arms of cornerback Amik Robertson who returned it for a touchdown.
So, essentially Gordon’s fumbles represented a 13-to-17-point swing in those games. Can’t blame the Broncos for saying enough is enough.
