Our Denver Broncos have perfected the ability to "win ugly". We saw it last year when they won many one-score games, and it is continuing this season. Tonight, the Broncos offense went out and put up an early 14-3 lead in the first half and packed it in after that. Meanwhile, the Broncos defense dominated throughout and held the Seahawks to just 14 points and made life a living hell for quarterback Sam Darnold.
Again, it wasn't pretty, but this game was always destined to be a defensive slugfest. The Broncos and Seahawks have two of the better defenses in the NFL, but their offenses are weaknesses right now, and that is exactly how it played out tonight.
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As for winners and losers for this game, it's pretty simple. Defense good, offense bad.
WINNER – Denver Broncos defense/Vance Joseph
Through the first handful of games, the Broncos' defense has been good but has not been as good as it was at times last season. On top of that, they were down multiple starters, including All-Pro Pat Surtain II and Talanoa Hufanga, and a limited Riley Moss. However, they stepped up tonight and put together one of their best all-around efforts in the Vance Joseph defensive coordinator era.
They had 5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits, a ton of pressures, 9 passes defended, a forced fumble/fumble recovery, and 2 HUGE late-game interceptions.
Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen played lights out, Que Robinson flashed multiple times, Alex Singleton played a damn good ball game, DJ Jones may have had his best career game with the Broncos, and the Broncos secondary stepped up big.
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Yes, JSN made some plays late, but he's the best in the NFL for a reason. Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine, two very inexperienced corners, played very well all things considered. KAD should have had a game-ending INT on Darnold late in the 4th quarter, and Ja'Quan McMillian called game (again) with a HUGE INT in overtime that set up Wil Lutz's game-winning FG.
Credit to Vance Joseph for a coaching masterpiece against a talented offense while down multiple key starters. The reserves played well, and the pass rush came alive.
The Broncos' defense is why the Broncos sit 4-2 right now, and Joseph deserves a lot of credit again.
LOSER – Broncos offense/Bo Nix
Listen, that wasn't pretty. There is no denying it. However, I think a lot of fans need to take a step back and take a deep breath. They played a very, very good and well-coached defense and never were going to have a "get right" game vs. the Seahawks.
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We also saw this last year. Early season, Bo Nix struggled and looked lost. We saw it his rookie year, last year, and again this year. Those previous two seasons, he has turned it on as the season went on, so let's hope that happens again this season.
Still, that was ugly.
Nix looks lost, lacking confidence, and maybe not fully healthy? I personally believe it's all mental right now. He is coming off a missed offseason, played a tough schedule to start the year, may not be fully trusting of his ankle yet, and it's all in his head right now.
I still Bo-lieve and think they will figure it out. The Nix we saw vs. the Bills simply didn't disappear. He has a mini bye week to get right, an easier upcoming schedule, and, like the second half of these games, the second half of the season is Bo Nix time.
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As for the rest of the offense, it was pretty meh. Outside of a few runs, JK Dobbins provided very little and averaged 2.4 yards per carry. RJ Harvey showed some life, but didn't see a ton of touches, and they lost Tyler Badie to a finger injury.
The OL, specifically Ben Powers and Luke Wattenberg, had some issues. Powers was beat a few times, and Wattenberg's off-target snaps are an issue.
Wasn't pretty and was non-existent in the second half, but those two first-half touchdowns were enough to send it to overtime and eventually to win the game.
Oh, and the fact that they could not get a first down to end the game after the KAD INT in the 4th quarter, and again to get into closer field goal range in OT after the J-Mac INT, is unacceptable.
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I have faith that they will turn it around, because they have in the past, but it is not looking pretty right now.
WINNER – Pass Rush
The Broncos' pass rush came alive on Thursday Night.
Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen, Ja'Quan McMillian, Que Robinson, Jonah Elliss, Malcolm Roach, and Justin Strnad all combined for sacks. They had 17 total QB hits, many pressures, and terrorized QB Sam Darnold all night.
They don't have John Franklin-Myers or Jonathon Cooper, but this pass rush looked a lot like the ones that led the NFL in sacks in back-to-back years. They had a slower start than usual this season, but this showing could ignite a big second half for the Broncos defense and pass rush.
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WINNER – Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine
Was it perfect? No. JSN got them a handful of times throughout the game, and Barron was beat deep on one play vs. Shaheed, but overall, they played well.
Barron had tight coverage throughout and was against JSN a few times, which is tough for any corner. He wasn't flawless, but he showed real potential tonight, in my opinion. As for Abrams-Draine, he simply makes plays. His INT late in the 4th quarter should have ended the game, but still, it was an incredible play.
These are the Broncos' fourth and fifth corners, and I believe they have held their own and proven they can be future starters if they let Riley Moss and/or Ja'Quan McMillian walk this offseason.
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WINNER – Ja'Quan McMillian
He has the clutch gene.
Ended the game last week with a sack of Justin Herbert
Ended tonight's game with an INT in OT that set up the game-winning field goal.
Oh, and his heroics in the postseason that led to the Broncos' thrilling overtime victory over the Bills.
J-Mac has earned himself a nice contract this offseason, whether it is from the Broncos or another team. The Broncos have to decide between Moss and McMillian this offseason, in all likelihood, and J-Mac is making it tough to not pick him.
WINNER – Sean Payton/ugly wins
I am giving Sean Payton credit.
The Broncos' start to the season was brutal. Week 1 vs. the Chiefs in Arrowhead. Never easy. Week 2 vs. the only team to beat you by double digits last season, the Jaguars. The Super Team Rams in Week 3, a Week 4 matchup vs. the undefeated Niners (and the injury-creating substitution), a home game vs. the rival Chargers, and a short-week TNF against the defending champion Seahawks.
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On paper, this was a brutal start, and it hasn't been much easier in reality either. The Chiefs and Niners are 4-0, the Jaguars are 3-1, the Seahawks are 3-2, and the Rams are 2-3.
Yet, the Broncos, despite all their struggles, are 4-2. I would have been happy with 3-3. Survived the brutal start and can now have a second-half run against an easier-on-paper schedule. Yet, they are 4-2, and their only two losses came on the road against two undefeated teams.
A lot of credit has to go to Sean Payton. They won ugly last season, and that got them all the way to the AFC Championship Game. They're doing it again this season and have comeback wins vs. the Jags, Rams, and Chargers, and an overtime winner vs. the Seahawks.
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Winning isn't easy or a given. We went through a decade of not winning much at all, with some of those wins being meaningless. These wins matter. 4-2 is 4-2, and we should not take it for granted despite them being "ugly wins".
Not saying you shouldn't be concerned or even upset, but I'd rather be 4-2 after some ugly wins instead of 2-4 and being on the brink of having a lost season before Halloween.
Other notable Winners and Losers
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WINNER – Alex Singleton:He was very good tonight. I do not recall many missed tackles, if any, and he was in on multiple TFLs. He has his issues and bad games, but he was damn good tonight.
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LOSER – Broncos special teams coverage:They nearly blew that game late, allowing Rasheed to get to midfield. Thankfully, the defense stepped up, but the coverage teams could have been better tonight. JL Skinner deserves a shout-out for his play on special teams lately, though.
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WINNER – RJ Harvey:The stat line isn't great, but he has been the Broncos' best playmaker this season.
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LOSER – JK Dobbins:He had a nice 16-yard run and a touchdown, but outside of that, he provided nothing. 2.4 yards per carry is disgusting, and he either has lost a step or isn't healthy.
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WINNER – Que Robinson:He makes a few impact plays a game and is really coming into his own as a pass rusher.
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LOSER – Jonah Elliss:Lost in the late-game dramatics was his knee injury. It did not look good.
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WINNER – Jeremy Crawshaw:Might be an All-Pro
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WINNER – Wil Lutz:Kicked a clutch game-winning 50+ yard field goal
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WINNER – Broncos defense:They deserve another mention for how damn good they were.
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WINNER – Jonah Coleman:Could/should have a larger role in the running game moving forward
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LOSER – Ben Powers:He has been a weak link on the OL
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LOSER – Luke Wattenberg's snaps:Consistently off target
