The Denver Broncos‘ second win of the season came against a projected AFC powerhouse in the New York Jets, a 10-9 squeaker in the Sunday morning slate of games. This game was a tale of two halves, where the defense dictated the game for both teams.
Without further ado, let’s get into the studs and duds of the game.
Stud: QB Bo Nix
It wasn’t pretty in any sense, but quarterback Bo Nix showed that he could overcome adversity against a good defense and less-than-ideal conditions. In the first half, Nix was in the negative for passing yards (seven-of-15 for -7 yards). However, in the second half, Nix shunned the rain, picking the Jets stout defense apart with pinpoint throws on an important third-quarter drive. Nix also threw his first career touchdown pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton in the third quarter. Huge kudos to Sutton, who gave Nix the ball after throwing the pass. Nix finished the ball game 12-of-25 for 60 yards and one touchdown.
Dud: Challenges
Broncos coach Sean Payton lost both challenges against the Jets, and it could have really hurt them late in the game. With five minutes left in the fourth, Broncos pass-rushers Jonah Elliss and Michael Roach split a sack, and it looked like Rodgers lost the ball before his knee touched the ground, and the Broncos had a clear recovery. Since the team didn’t have any challenges left, they couldn’t review the call. Payton is 0-for-3 on challenges in 2024 thus far.
Stud: Defense
The Broncos defense continues to look better each week. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph dialed up a lot of pressure on Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and the defense recorded five sacks. One of the most pivotal moments of the game came in the first half, when the Jets were set up with a first-and-goal on the Broncos’ 1. Denver stuffed the Jets three times, leading to a field goal.
Even after a critical pass interference penalty on cornerback Riley Moss moved New York into field goal range on their final drive, the defense only let the Jets go four more yards and New York ended up missing a 50-yard field goal attempt.
Dud: Injuries
One of the most significant parts of the Broncos’ game happened when running back Tyler Badie went down with a back injury, and was carted off the sideline in the first half. Badie had provided the spark in the Denver run game last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fans will hope the best for Badie.
Stud: Run game
For the first time in 2024, the Broncos offensive line bullied the defensive front of the Jets. Running backs Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin combined for 123 yards. Williams bruised for 77 yards, and was instrumental on the Broncos’ field goal drive, where the team ran the ball seven straight times. Hopefully, the ground game can keep this momentum going in future weeks.
Up next for the Broncos is a home game against the Las Vegas Raiders featuring the team’s 1977 throwback uniform worn for the first time since 1996.
