Broncos' Home Game Vs. Rams Had Most No-Shows Since 2010

DENVER (CBS4)- Contrary to popular belief, the best way to protest a bad on-field NFL product is not by burning jerseys or booing relentlessly.

If you really want to send a message, do nothing. Don't show up to games. Don't blow your hard-earned money on tickets and paraphernalia. Don't invest precious energy. Silence speaks volumes in a multi-billion-dollar business.

Broncos Country, frustrated amid another lost season, sent a message to upper management Sunday without saying a word. They made their presence felt with their distinct absence for Denver's Week 6 game against the Los Angeles Rams.

How distinct? The team announced 9,131 no-shows at Broncos Stadium at Mile High, the most since 2010 -- yes, the tail end of the Josh McDaniels era. For a rabid fan base which typically packs the rafters, this is an enormous amount that cannot be understated or ignored.

Sure, the cold, wet weather undoubtedly contributed to the lacking attendance -- would you freeze your behind off to watch a flailing pretender lose to a legitimate Super Bowl contender? -- but it's clear Broncos fans have quite literally seen enough of the Vance Joseph-led operation.

Those who stayed home, in the comfort of their climate-controlled living rooms, made the wise decision. Denver fell short in a 23-20 defeat, officially reaching the halfway point to matching last season's historic eight-game skid. They now "boast" as many losses (4) as the fans' collective interest level.

The contest felt similar to a preseason affair. There were blocks of empty seats, little energy, an eerie dearth of crowd noise, even as the Broncos mounted a futile fourth-quarter comeback. The loudest cheers came on the final play of the first half, when backup quarterback Chad Kelly trotted onto the field for a kneeldown with Case Keenum briefly experiencing concussion-like symptoms.

Keenum took his place under center to start the third quarter, and that was that. An ovation quickly devolved into "booooooooos," one for each of his 16 incompletions.

"I've heard it. It's not the first time that the crowd's been unhappy with what's going on the field that I've played with," he said after the game. "They should be pissed, I'm pissed. We have to do better. We can keep saying that, but we have to do it. Whatever it is, the plays that we need to make, we need to make them. I see us doing that going forward."

Broncos players are people, too. They have ears and their brains register sounds. The booing didn't go unnoticed, though toeing the company lines prevents them from expressing anything other than surprise and optimism.

"I've never attacked the Denver Bronco fan base," said Von Miller. "They've been through thick and thin with me. Loyal as heck. I just can't believe that guys are losing hope right now. We've still got a long season to go. We've got real fans here. If fans are losing hope, I just can't believe that. We've still got a long season ahead of us and Broncos Country has been great for us. We still need them to do the same thing for us to get this turned around."

Broncos fans are well within their rights to express displeasure. Justifying hope is counterproductive considering the club finds ways to make it disappear each week. Considering they're projected to finish with consecutive losing seasons for the first time since Richard Nixon inhabited the Oval Office. Considering a massive rebuild likely looms in the not-so-distant future.

Just remember: The opposite of love isn't hate. It's apathy.