An opening-drive touchdown gave way to more struggles for the Broncos’ offense Sunday against Las Vegas — interception, punt, punt, punt and sack to finish the first half.

But down only 10 points, the Broncos received the opening second-half kickoff and a chance to start a comeback. Instead, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater ended up on his back on three consecutive drop-backs. The Broncos punted (again) and the Raiders scored (again) to take command of an eventual 34-24 shellacking.

Bridgewater ended the game with a bruised foot and the Broncos’ offensive line should have ended the game with bruised pride.

Bridgewater was sacked five times, knocked down on eight drop-backs and pressured on nine for a total of 22 disruptions. That doesn’t include three knockdowns on plays negated by penalties.

“Our protection was inconsistent,” coach Vic Fangio said. “Part of the problem is getting into a game like that calling (58 drop-backs) because of the atmosphere of the game. Eventually, guys get beat and they did. I think we can protect better as a whole and that involves not just the O-line. That involves the tight ends, getting the ball out, etc. Everything.”

Everything broke down against the Raiders, part of a disturbing pattern for the Broncos this year. Their 19 sacks allowed are tied for third-most in the NFL.

And now more trouble is brewing.

Thursday night in Cleveland, the Browns won’t have quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) and running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt (both calf injuries), but they will have pass rusher Myles Garrett, who leads the NFL with eight sacks.

Any pass rusher should like their matchup against the Broncos these days, a team not good enough offensively to build a lead so they can rely on their running game. Chances will be aplenty for Garrett.

“He’s a guy that you’ve got to know where he is when you’re out there as a quarterback and when you’re game-planning,” Bridgewater said.

Regardless of the opponent, it’s critical for the Broncos’ entire pass protection operation — communication, technique, Bridgewater throwing on time — to improve and save the season.

Inconsistent most of year

The Broncos’ pass protection has been leaky throughout their 3-3 start. According to The Denver Post’s game charting, the offense has been booked for 19 sacks, 23 knockdowns and 35 pressures for 77 total disruptions (12.8 per game), up from the six-game averages in 2019 (8.3) and ’20 (11.5).

The struggles aren’t from a lack of allocated resources.

• Left tackle Garett Bolles has started 69 of a possible 70 games since arriving as a first-round pick in 2017 and signed a four-year contract last November ($17 million average).

• Left guard Dalton Risner was drafted 41st overall in ’19.

• In 2020, right guard Graham Glasgow signed a four-year, $44 million free-agent contract and the Broncos drafted starting center Lloyd Cushenberry (third round) and reserve guard Netane Muti (sixth round).

• This offseason, the Broncos signed right tackle Bobby Massie (one-year deal) after Ja’Wuan James’ Achilles injury and drafted guard Quinn Meinerz (third round).

Bridgewater won the starting job and on his resume are seasons of being sacked 39, 44 and 31 times, so his penchant for hanging tough in the pocket also leads to sacks.

Regardless, there have been choppy performances from the line this year. The Post has booked linemen for 14 of the 19 sacks.

Accounting for sacks, knockdowns and disruptions, the totals for the starting linemen: Massie 15 (2 1/2 sacks) Bolles 11 1/2 (4 1/2 sacks), Glasgow 11 (two sacks, despite missing two games), Risner nine (one sack) and Cushenberry five (2 1/2 sacks).

Bolles’ downturn is the most alarming — he allowed only 9 1/2 disruptions (1/2 sack) in 15 games last year.

Opponents are creating pressure with a four-man rush, sending five or more players on only 23.8% of the Broncos’ drop-backs. Las Vegas rushed five or more on only four of 58 Bridgewater drop-backs.

Because of their financial commitment, the Broncos will stick with Bolles. But do Risner and Glasgow in particular have to pick up their play?

“We need everybody to play better,” said Fangio, declining to take the bait. “I don’t think it’s (the) time or proper to single out any player or any position. We just need to play better in all three phases.”

Garrett a “handful”

Reviewing the Raiders game, it wasn’t a scheme issue that resulted in Bridgewater absorbing so many hits. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur called one eight-man, two seven-man and five six-man protections.

It was the Broncos’ five blockers against Las Vegas’ four rushers. And the Raiders won.

“Certainly, you don’t want your quarterback to accumulate (hits) in any way, shape or form,” Shurmur said.

Bridgewater was sacked in 2.64, 2.79, 4.02, 5.14 and 2.84 seconds.

On the 4.02-second sack, Bridgewater held onto the football too long and the 5.14-second sack was a scramble that didn’t reach the line of scrimmage.

“Just get the ball out faster and continue to play in rhythm,” Bridgewater said. “When you’re doing those things well, we’re executing at a high level.”

The short week forced quick decisions on how to fix the issues. The starting lineup is unlikely to change, but maybe using tight ends Eric Saubert and Andrew Beck more in protection would provide Bridgewater time to settle in the pocket and take shots downfield. Maybe keeping the running back in even on a four-man rush that previously meant becoming a check-down option makes a difference. Everything should be on the table.

It starts with containing Garrett.

“He’s one of the top outside rushers in the league and one of the top pass rushers at any position, period,’ Fangio said. “He’s a handful.”

Said Bridgewater: “You can tell he’s prepared and that he studies because when you watch him, he’s winning so many battles.”

The Broncos’ season is on the cusp of big trouble (if not already), Bridgewater’s foot is bothering him and the pass defense has fallen apart. One of the team’s captains, Bridgewater’s task is to pick up an offense that can pick up an entire roster.

“There’s no real room to allow the confidence to be shattered,” he said. “That’s (when) we come together as leaders on this team and as guys who are experienced and been a part of winning streaks, losing streaks, championships (or) never been in the playoffs. You come together.”

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Protection Problems

Through Week 6, the teams that have allowed the most sacks in the NFL:

Team	No.	Record
Chicago	22	3-3
Tennessee	20	4-2
Broncos	19	3-3
Carolina	18	3-3
Cleveland	18	3-3
N.Y. Jets	18	1-4
Seattle	18	2-4