On this week’s podcast, I joined host Ryan O’Leary to discuss the win in Los Angeles, provide an update on Pro Bowl voting, break down the playoff picture and preview Saturday’s game against the Lions.
More of the same for Denver — the offense wasn’t great, but it was good enough. Russell Wilson wasn’t great, but he wasn’t terrible. He was fine.
The Chargers are a mess. Brandon Staley‘s unit went 0-of-12 on third down and 1-of-6 on fourth down. Los Angeles also lost Justin Herbert to a finger injury (Broncos will face them at home in Week 17).
The defense forced six sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and what should have been a fumble-six for Ja’Quan McMillian (Mac-milan), who continues to make play after play.
Kareem Jackson can return after the Lions game, but P.J. Locke has played so well at safety that I don’t think Jackson will get his starting job back. Locke had seven tackles, one pass breakup, one sack and one forced fumble on Sunday.
Courtland Sutton was amazing again, hauling in another one-handed touchdown catch, his 10th of the season (tied for second-most in the NFL). He should be headed to the Pro Bowl (more on that below).
Pro Bowl voting update
C Lloyd Cushenberry, DB Justin Simmons, K Wil Lutz, FB Michael Burton and returner Marvin Mims are among the top 10 vote-getters at their respective positions so far (fan voting runs through Christmas).
Broncos players NOT in the top ten at their position in fan voting: CB Pat Surtain (), G Quinn Meinerz, WR Courtland Sutton and LT Garett Bolles. WHAT! I’d argue that Surtain, Meinerz and Sutton are the team’s most deserving Pro Bowl candidates (Simmons is too, of course).
Broncos fans need to exercise their civic duty and get out and vote!
Drake Maye and Caleb Williams skipping bowl games
Maye and Williams are skipping their college bowl games. Maye has already declared for the NFL draft. Williams I don’t think has officially yet.
Russell Wilson has $37 million of his 2025 salary become fully guaranteed if he’s on the roster on the fifth day of the new league year in 2024. So the Broncos basically have to make a two-year commitment to Wilson if they bring him back in the spring.
Broncos aren’t in position to draft Maye or Williams, but trades are always possible. GM George Paton has scouted both QBs in person this fall.
Playoff picture update
Texans (7-6), Colts (7-6), Steelers (7-6) and Browns (8-5) are above Broncos in the Wild Card race, but Denver is now just one game behind the Chiefs (8-5) in the AFC West. Wild Card is still the Broncos’ best bet to make the playoffs. Even if they lose to the Lions, the New York Times says Denver has a 93% chance to make the playoffs if they finish 10-7.
Lions game
Sean Payton was the Jets’ offensive coordinator when they drafted TE Dan Campbell in 1999, then Payton had a role in the Cowboys signing Cambell in 2003 (also as OC). Later, as a head coach, Payton signed Cambell with the Saints in 2009 (his playing career ended in New Orleans due to injury). Payton and Campbell go way back.
After the Broncos started 1-5 this year, Payton pointed to the Lions as an example of what Denver could do. Detroit started 1-6 last year before winning eight of their final 10 games. Since Payton said that, the Broncos have won six of their last seven games.
So who wins on Sunday? The Lions are in a bit of a slump lately. In their last five games, Detroit lost to the Bears, barely beat the Saints, lost to the Packers, barely beat the Bears and barely beat the Chargers. They are a beatable team, but it won’t be easy to win in Detroit.
The Lions are listed as 4-point favorites against the Broncos.
Ryan and I will return each week during the season to react to every game.
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