The Denver Broncos defeated the Green Bay Packers 19-17 at home in Week 7. Here are ten quick takeaways from the victory.
1
Sunday's game was poorly officiated
IMO in #GBvsDEN, the DB fulfilled the process of the catch before the WR did. After the defender possessed the ball, both of his feet and then his knee were down in-bounds prior to the WR's.
This would make this play an interception.https://t.co/Jp8XuPZtdL
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) October 22, 2023
Officials made several ticky-tacky calls against both teams on Sunday, with 15 combined penalties accepted for 116 yards. The officials also made a few questionable calls, including ruling a pass into the end zone a touchdown instead of ruling it an interception as CBS rules expert Gene Steratore said it should have been.
2
Denver made a big change in the secondary
The Broncos made a big change at cornerback on Sunday, benching Damarri Mathis and starting veteran Fabian Moreau across from Pat Surtain instead. Denver rookie cornerback Riley Moss was also a healthy scratch. The decisions worked out as Green Bay’s receivers were mostly held in check in Week 7. Mathis seemed to be in danger of getting benched when he was struggling earlier this season and Moreau appears to have won the job now.
3
Russell Wilson seems to be afraid to take deep shots
Over the last three weeks, Wilson has seemed hesitant to attempt deep passes, choosing instead to hold the ball or check it down to an option short of the line to gain. He completed 20 passes on Sunday and only four of them were beyond 10 yards. Wilson completed four passes behind the line of scrimmage, and 12 of his completions were within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. Wilson needs to show off his signature “moon ball” more often.
4
Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin continue to shine
Williams (15 carries for 82 yards) and McLaughlin (five carries for 45 yards) continue to look like a dynamic duo for Denver. Granted, the Packers have a struggling run defense, but Williams and McLaughlin can be a productive one-two punch against any opponent.
5
Baron Browning looked rusty
In his first game back from a knee injury, Browning was penalized twice for jumping before the snap and he wasn’t able to generate much pressure. Browning finished the game with no sacks and one tackle. He’ll likely have more of an impact next week now that he’s gotten his feet wet.
6
Courtland Sutton quietly has 5 touchdowns this season
While Jerry Jeudy is still waiting to score his first touchdown of the 2023 season, Sutton scored again on Sunday, his fifth of the season. Sutton has clearly emerged as one of Wilson’s favorites, particularly in the red zone.
7
Kareem Jackson's latest penalty could lead to suspension
The NFL considered suspending Broncos safety Kareem Jackson after he was penalized for head hits in back-to-back games to open the season but the safety ultimately avoided a suspension. Jackson was penalized (and ejected) for a head-to-head hit again on Sunday and he had already been fined $89,670 through six games for illegal hits. All that will likely add up to Jackson having a suspension handed down this week.
8
P.J. Locke stepped up
Following Jackson’s ejection, Locke stepped up to record three tackle and what proved to be the game-winning interception. Locke will presumably start across from Justin Simmons next week if Jackson is suspended.
9
Wil Lutz was clutch
After missing a field goal and an extra point in Week 1, Lutz has been perfect since then, including going 4-of-4 on field goal attempts against the Packers. His 52-yard field goal against Green Bay proved to be extremely important in a game that was decided by just two points.
10
That win might prove to be costly in April
Beating the Packers might put the first overall pick out of reach for the Broncos as the team now has two wins on the season. The Arizona Cardinals still have just one win and the Carolina Panthers are yet to win a game this year. It’s a glass half-empty perspective, but Sunday’s win hurts Denver’s draft order.
