By: Steven Johnson

Coming off of a spectacular start to the NFL season, all Bronco eyes are on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. After winning the competition at quarterback this offseason, Bridgewater threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns on 28 passing attempts in week one. These numbers helped the Broncos stamp a definitive win on their week one matchup against the New York Giants. Bridgewater finished with a 95.7 QBR, the highest of any quarterback in week one. This performance is exactly the type of play that many in the organization and fanbase needed to see from Teddy to put their faith in him as the face of this Broncos team.

Following up week one, this Sunday the Broncos headed to Florida to compete against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bridgewater once again was able to perform reminiscent of his pro bowl season in 2015. The Denver quarterback threw for another two touchdowns and 328 yards this time. Bridgewater was able to avoid any interceptions or fumbles and complete a positive 76% of his passes on the day. The average yards per pass attempt was higher this week as well, a 9.6 average compared to week one’s 7.3 average. Teddy was able to not only build off of his week one performance but put on an even better showing for Denver and its fanbase. So far, Bridgewater and these young receivers of the Broncos are pulling off a 592 yard-4 touchdown-ZERO interception effort through the first two weeks. These two weeks, while a small sample size, has given hope that Bridgewater can return to the youthful promise he showed early in his career.

Looking back at Bridgewater’s previous seasons there is hope for exceptional quarterback play. In his second season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2015, Bridgewater threw for 3400 yards and 17 touchdowns to earn his first Pro Bowl nod. This seemed to put Bridgwater firmly in view as the Vikings’ quarterback of the future. In the year that followed, Teddy’s major ACL injury kept him sidelined and almost ended his young career. After working his way back, injuries and bad luck played a part in keeping him off the field and away from competing. While playing for the New Orleans Saints in 2019, he seemed to have a resurgence as he stepped into the starting role, leading the team for an injured Drew Brees. Bridgewater led the team to a 5-0 record while throwing for 1300 yards and 9 touchdowns. The following season he would leave the Saints to play for the Carolina Panthers. Bridgewater dealt with an offense plagued by injuries. With an injured Christian McCaffrey, the offense became one-dimensional. Still, Bridgewater finished the season with a respectable 3700 yards and 15 touchdowns, although also throwing 11 interceptions.

This offseason after Leaving the Panthers to come to play for Denver, Bridgewater has stumbled into an offensive situation much more lucrative than he had during his time in Carolina. While he continues to grow with the Denver offense, he will undoubtedly become more comfortable and recognize the best way to utilize his weapons. If the Broncos’ offense gives their talented defense enough opportunities to rush the passer and close out games, it will be a very tough group for anyone to compete against this season.

Bridgewater’s most impressive feat early this season is his ability to stay cool in the pocket while showing enough mobility to extend plays for big impacts. Many who criticized Bridgewater cite a lack of aggressiveness in his play. Worried that Teddy will only take underneath throws or refuse to take shots downfield, Bridgewater showed that he will take chances and even went a stunning 5-5 on fourth down conversions so far this season. Bridgewater is showing poise and awareness in the pocket that brings a sense of confidence to the huddle. The ability to sit and take big hits while delivering the ball shows a veteran mindset and understanding of the game. While not known as a running quarterback, Bridgewater’s ability to extend plays so far this season has resulted in electric plays and success for the Denver offense as a whole. Losing Jerry Jeudy to injury in week one will hurt the overall playmaking ability of the offense, however, Courtland Sutton returning to form could be a formidable duo with Bridgewater building their chemistry.

As of week two, Bridgewater is on pace for over 5,000 yards, 43 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. While not realistic to sustain these numbers, it is an impressive comparison to start the season. If Bridgewater can channel anything similar to those averages throughout the entire NFL season, he would be in immediate contention. This goes not only for Pro Bowl consideration but league MVP as well. With the strong defense in the Broncos locker room and an offense full of young playmakers, the sky can be the limit for this team under “steady” Teddy Bridgewater.

The post Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater returning to Pro Bowl form this season? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Steven Johnson

How will the end of the season play out?

The Broncos are sitting at 6-2 coming into the last stretch according to previous articles. The last stretch of games provides more talented opponents and their bye-week as well.

Week 9: @ Dallas Cowboys

Coming into this week, the Broncos will have just faced off against another NFC East divisional team in the Washington Football Team. Having had their offense sidelined with the injury to quarterback Dak Prescott last season, the Cowboys’ play should look very different this season. Behind the trio of Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup the Cowboys will look to lean on the passing game. The talented Ezekiel Elliot should be held to a modest game behind the Broncos line and a stacked box. This game should be decided by the Broncos’ secondary and the Cowboys’ receiving core in the air. Dallas on the defensive side should improve with the additions of linebacker Micah Parsons and Kentucky cornerback Kelvin Joseph. It will be up to Teddy Bridgewater and the Denver offense to be able to put points up to complement the defensive effort. As I am personally going to be in attendance for this game, my heart says a Broncos big win 32-17. Realistically as a writer, the score could very well swing Dallas’ way just as easily.

Week 10: Home vs Philadelphia Eagles

For the third consecutive week, the Broncos will be playing the NFC East in a matchup that brings them back to Mile High. The Eagles will travel to Denver to play, starting with second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Denver defense will be able to disrupt the Eagles and their passing game with a young core of players. The Broncos will need to offensively take advantage of a weaker Philly defense that was ranked in the bottom third of the league last season.
The Broncos should walk out of this game with another definitive win. In the range of 27-13 seems plausible if the offense can get rolling. Letting the offense stretch its muscles against a team like Philly and producing should give them confidence heading into the last part of the season.

Week 11: Bye Week

The Broncos get a win this week. Late in the season they can rest up and nurse any nagging injuries they may have accrued. Any time to rest in the NFL is an automatic win.

Week 12: Home vs Los Angeles Chargers

This will be Denver’s first divisional opponent since the Raiders back in Week 6. As always, divisional games have a different air about them and this one could go either way. There is little doubt the Broncos have the defense to partially handle a rising star like Herbert and the chargers’ offense. The real question will be Denver’s ability to move the ball against the likes of Chris Harris Jr. Joey Bosa and Derwin James Jr. This will be undoubtedly another tough test for a young Broncos offense. Ultimately, the Broncos take care of business at home with a close win. 31-28.

Week 13: @ Kansas City Chiefs

A week after winning against one division rival, the Broncos must travel to Kansas City to take on Patrick Mahomes and the lighting Chiefs offense. While the Broncos were able to hold the chiefs to relatively low numbers for the offense overall, the nine consecutive losses have been due to offensive ineptitude on the Broncos’ side of the ball. Unfortunately, while the Denver offense should be showing signs of progress this season, it isn’t enough to beat the Chiefs at home in December. Kansas City takes this one 28-16.

Week 14: Home Vs Detroit Lions

With the addition of Jared Goff and the departure of Matthew Stafford, the Lions will look like a new team this season. What many are speculating is they will look worse without Stafford under center. The Lions are in an unofficial rebuild of the team that has lasted what seems like decades at this point. While individual players may be talented such as corner Jeff Okudah and running back D’andre Swift, this team doesn’t seem like contenders on paper. The Broncos have elevated to the point of beating teams that they should and put this one away early. Denver gets to pile it on and have themselves a day. The final score is a Broncos 40-18 win.

Week 15: Home Vs Cincinnati Bengals

The injury to Joe Burrow last season derailed any momentum Cincinnati hoped to build. This offseason, the Bengals focused on reuniting him with former LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase. The Bengals also took a lineman in round 2 of the draft, hoping to give Burrow more protection. While settled with their quarterback of the future, the Bengals are still in a rebuild. The defense features spots across the board with the most notable player being former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie. The Denver Defense should get to Burrow enough to keep the score low while the Broncos offense gets in a rhythm. At home in Mile High, the Broncos should secure another win late in the playoff hunt.

Week 16: @ Las Vegas Raiders

The Broncos will travel to Vegas in week 16 at the start of three consecutive divisional games to end the season. At this point, the Broncos should be in the playoff hunt and all three will count huge towards results. The Raiders will be looking for revenge from the previous game and the divisional games are always the most challenging. Ultimately, not enough has changed throughout the season to warrant a change in the decision. The Broncos will sweep the Raiders and notch another win on their schedule 26-20.

Week 17: @ Los Angeles Chargers

Traveling for the second week in a row, the Broncos will face off with the chargers again within a mere six weeks since last time. Being in Los Angeles this time and the Chargers vying for wins as well, this game should be close. Fighting to play spoiler for the Broncos team this close to playoffs, the Chargers will come out fighting hard. Herbert has enough talent to keep the Chargers offense afloat and the Broncos offense will need to be firing on all cylinders to secure a win this time. Ultimately the Chargers will catch the Broncos on an off day and steal a win away in the last minutes. Broncos fall for the first time in several weeks, 23-20.

Week 18: Home vs Kansas City Chiefs

Leading into the last game of the season, the Broncos will play the Chiefs in Mile High for what likely is a playoff berth on the line. Denver will need everything they have to get the win against a potent offense with Mahomes. With everything on the line, the Chiefs will come in looking to either play spoiler or will already be resting their starters for their playoff run. The Chiefs will very well still be looking for one more win in playoff position seeding in the AFC. This last game could be a dogfight for Denver. Due to some Mile High magic and a roaring home crowd, Denver gets its first win against Kansas City in six years to cement a playoff berth for the first time in just as long. The chiefs still win the Division, but Denver has more to play for after the regular season ends.

Recap:

Finishing up with the game predictions, here is the win/loss recap for the 2021 Denver Broncos:

W: @NYG, @JAX, NYJ, @PIT, LV, WAS, PHI, LAC, DET, CIN, @LV, @KC

L: BAL, @CLE, @DAL, @KC, @LAC,

Coming to the end of the regular season, Denver has emerged as a dark horse contender in the playoffs. The Broncos have lost all but one of the games they have lost to teams on the road, showing an immense home-field advantage with fans back in the stadiums. With a solid defense and an offense that puts enough together to complement the team strength, they build a respectable record of 12-5. The Chiefs ultimately take the division title, but Denver is now in a Wild Card position for playoffs. Expectations are back to being high for Broncos Country. All this predicting is subject to change based on individuals play and the team’s overall health. Barring injuries like in previous seasons, this Broncos team is leagues ahead of last season’s and proves it with their play and overall record. Broncos Country should get excited for late-season drama and a chance at a postseason run for the first time since 2015.

The post A look into the Broncos 2021 season: games 9-17 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Steven Johnson

This preseason, the Denver Broncos had plenty of young standout players shine in their limited action. This article will look at three of the players that may have secured a roster spot based on their breakout performance this preseason.

1. WR-Trinity Benson

Getting the obvious out of the way early, Trinity Benson was a superstar. Playing in all three games as a receiver and a returner for the team, Benson locked himself into a roster spot. He finished the preseason with 80 yards and 2 touchdowns on eight catches. While this stat line isn’t eye-popping, in the preseason with limited reps, it shows Benson as a reliable target. Only a rookie this season, Benson showed a connection with every quarterback at some point and also handled return duties. Special teams coach Tom McMahon spoke highly of Benson as well, suggesting if nothing else he could be kept on for special team duties. In a deep wide receiver room this season, Benson was able to make his name stand out beside the likes of Jerry Jeudy and K.J Hamler. Benson will be a good rotational piece for the Broncos as Hamler, Jeudy and Courtland Sutton need breaks and the season wears on player’s bodies. With how many receivers the Broncos have kept in the past, and Benson being a standout behind the top four or so receivers in front of him, it would be hard to imagine him not having playtime throughout the regular season.

2. OLB- Jonathon Cooper

Cooper was a wrecking ball this preseason in place of starters. Cooper enjoyed snaps While Von Miller was eased into action and Bradley Chubb and Malik Reed took limited reps. Cooper finished his preseason action with five solo tackles, one forced fumble, and one sack in three games. Coach Vic Fangio has spoken out about Cooper himself after Denver’s second preseason game. Fangio told the media “You know, we’re expecting him to be a rotational guy for us behind Bradley and Von, and hopefully, he did some good in the special team because we’re going to need him there.”

While praise for Cooper and seemingly a nod to a roster spot, this was only after the team’s second preseason game. Cooper went out the next week and continued to impress, only building on the hype the coaches have seemingly put around him. With his rookie season underway, it seems as if Cooper will enjoy plenty of rotational play behind Miller and Chubb for this fearsome Broncos defense this season. With both rushers previously missing time due to injury, it would be smart for the Broncos to invest in a young, explosive pass rusher like Cooper to have to wait in the wings. With how the Denver defensive line tends to rotate as well, one can expect Cooper to have an impact at some point in most games this season.

3. TE- Eric Saubert

While the tight end room is considered relatively solid with the return of a healthy Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam, Eric Saubert may have carved himself a role with the Broncos after a solid preseason outing. Unlike the others, Saubert has been in the league and has spent time on NFL rosters before. Playing for the Falcons, Bears, and Jaguars, Saubert knows what it takes to make it as a tight end in the NFL. While not having much production with teams before, Saubert had himself an impressive preseason with the Broncos. Providing utility on special teams and blocking on the line, Saubert is emerging as a utility tight end. His stats of five catches for 74 yards throughout the preseason shows a big, safe target who isn’t afraid to get in the trenches and block as well. I believe that his usefulness in the special teams game and his emergence as a target for the Denver quarterbacks may see him sneak onto the final roster this season. One last thing that may push the balance in Saubert’s favor is the injury history of the other Bronco tight ends coming into this season. If something were to happen, Saubert could step in immediately to try and fill the hole left.

This preseason, the Bronco players showcased the talent and spirit to compete across all three of their games. While many stood out, not all will find a space on the roster come final cutdown day. While unfortunate, it is good to see so many young and experienced players alike making the most of the opportunities to try and find themselves a spot on an NFL-caliber team. The likes of rookies such as Benson and Cooper took their chance and ran with it, while those vets such as Saubert came in with a willingness to compete and find a role that fits the team they are playing for. The competition of preseason football may not be as exciting for fans as the regular season but the intensity and the opportunity to find gems is equal to if not greater than any other time in football.

The post Three surprising preseason standouts on Denver Broncos appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Steven Johnson

This offseason for the Denver Broncos has been dominated by questions surrounding the potential heir to the quarterback throne. Since bringing in former Carolina Panther’s quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, many fans brimmed with questions about what the team would look like this upcoming season. Many wondered if Bridgewater would be a veteran backup to Drew Lock or if he was here to take over the starting offense. All lights have been poised on the two quarterbacks throughout the start of the offseason program, training camp, and now through the first two preseason games, the Broncos have played. Lines for fandom have been drawn and many have moved from a competition standpoint to a fan club.

Those calling for Bridgewater enjoy the familiarity of his play and cite that the Broncos will know what to expect from him. Bridgewater fans explain the need for a quarterback that takes care of the ball and lets the defense put the team in favorable positions with the talent they have on that side of the ball. Many are upset with the lack of consistency the Denver quarterback room has shown over the past few seasons and believe that a “game-manager” quarterback is simply all that the team needs to see success in the upcoming season. Critics for Bridgewater explain that he is too conservative with his decisions. With the talent that the Broncos possess, fans have voiced concerns that Bridgewater can’t capitalize on the opportunities that present themselves. These fans believe that Bridgewater simply doesn’t possess the needed instinct to put points on the board and take shots downfield to keep the Broncos in high-scoring games. Playing in the AFC West, many fans see the success of Patrick Mahomes II and rising star Justin Herbert and wish for the same type of performance. Coming off of Bridgewater’s last season with the Panthers he threw 15 touchdown passes to 11 interceptions. This leads critics to point to a lack of ability to carry a team to wins and leaves doubt as to him taking over the starting role with the talent of the offense around him.

Those advocating for Lock to take over the starting role preach potential and consistency within the system. Fans claim Lock has the ability and physical tools necessary for the Broncos to compete with the likes of the Chiefs and Mahomes. Lock is shown as being the quarterback with higher ceiling potential for his skill and supporters say he needs time in the system to feel comfortable and flourish. Lock fans acknowledge while underperforming in seasons past, they still believe he presents the Broncos with the best opportunity to reach the top of the division and compete for a title for the first time since 2015. Critiques of Drew Lock include that his lack of progression regarding the reading of defenses is worrying and cite his lack of productivity outside of play-action and broken plays. Fans say Lock is dependent on vanilla defensive play and rolling out of the pocket to make something happen. With a stat line of 16 touchdowns to 15 interceptions last season as the starter, critics claim that he does not take care of the ball enough to give the Broncos a chance to compete in games. Many will say that the only quarterback a dominant defense like Denver will need is one that takes care of the football and limits mistakes, pointing to Teddy Bridgewater as a safe, viable option instead. Since watching the competition unfold, many will undoubtedly decide to veer to one of the quarterback options the Broncos are evaluating for the position. With that being said, the decision fans should make is simple.

The fanbase should get behind whoever the Broncos decide to lead the team. This whole offseason has been dominated by both sides rallying for a specific person to take over. Instead of supporting the team and being excited about young growth and returning players, fans have been obsessed with being right in their assumptions about “their guy” and how they perform. Too often have articles and posts been sent out in hopes of swaying people to take their side of the quarterback debate. While okay to have opinions and preferences, I think Broncos Country needs to step back and breathe. The logo of the team will always be more important than the individuals wearing it. The Broncos and the fans already saw the mania that one individual can bring with the emergence of Tim Tebow at quarterback. When Peyton Manning came to Denver, he was supported because of what he brought to the team as a whole. Fans need to stop putting personal preference above the success and values of the team that they support. The Denver Broncos as an organization will be around long after both of these quarterbacks are no longer playing, and fans need to realize that personal agendas aren’t needed when they divide the fanbase. The support of fans should be behind all of the men wearing that orange and blue uniform, not an individual who just so happens to be a Denver Bronco.

The post Which QB will hold the keys to the Broncos offense? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Steven Johnson

With NFL football being non-existent since the Super Bowl in January, many fans flock to see their first action in several months in the first week of preseason football. Not only does it give a tantalizing taste of how fast the regular season is approaching, but it also gives coaches and staff chances to evaluate young players. These games will help shape the 53-man roster and force coaches to decide who they would like to keep and who may need to look for a spot elsewhere in the league. While only the first game of the preseason where many starters did not take the field, I think there are still some significant take-aways from this game against Minnesota.

This Broncos defense is going to cause problems

Regardless of who the personnel is this season, this Broncos defense will be a scary unit. Like in years prior, the RedZone defense seems to be on track in staying one of the best in the NFL. The coverage and overall cohesiveness of the secondary will allow Denver’s pass rush to cause issues for opposing offensive lines. In the Vikings’ three total RedZone trips on the day, the Broncos were able to hold them to just two field-goal attempts and one failed Fourth Down conversion that turned the ball back to the Broncos. The defense seems to have picked up where it left off last year in holding teams to minimal point opportunities. In general, for the Broncos’ defense, there were stars all over the field.

A holding penalty in the Endzone gave the Broncos the first points of the game with a safety.

A “Surtain” rookie corner housed a pick-6 to give the Broncos further points.

A young safety duo showed good glimpses of what life without Kareem Jackson could be in the next couple of years as well.

Denver’s young defensive players stood up to a challenge of other NFL caliber players, starters or not. Not only did they compete, but they also flat out dictated the game by only allowing a total of SIX points in four quarters of football. It did not matter who was at quarterback for the Vikings, the defense was able to cause problems and flew around the field for 60 minutes of play. While some of these players may not work out ultimately, you have to give them props for the performance they put together in the first game action of the season.
Without Von Miller, Bradly Chubb, Justin Simmons, and other key players, the Broncos showed they have the depth to compete and cause trouble for opposing offenses.

Patrick Surtain II was the right pick

Since he was drafted, Surtain was put under a microscope and compared to potential draft pick QB Justin Fields. Many clamored for Fields and insisted that Surtain was essentially a “wasted pick” compared to a Quarterback who many believed to be Denver’s savior at the position. After his performance yesterday, many more should warm up to him staying in Denver for a long time to come.

Surtain finished his day with the highest grade of any Cornerback after displaying very impressive skills and a feel for the game. Not only did he get his first interception, but it also turned into a house call when he was able to return it for a touchdown as well. Surtain was only thrown at twice but allowed zero catches. The only other pass his way was broken up and defended rather well. There very well were other plays in which he was covering, but the quarterbacks knew not to look his way again. In what is turning into a ridiculously deep Corner room, Patrick Surtain II seems to be ready to make his mark on the field with the rest of the starters.

The Running back room looks good

Coming into the game while missing starter Melvin Gordon with a groin injury, all eyes seemed to be on the rest of the running back room to decide who would make their case for a roster spot. Before the game, Mike Boone was ruled out with an injury, leaving the first reps to rookie Javonte Williams and veteran Royce Freeman.

Williams looked the part from his college tape, being a physical back who can make people miss. While only getting five carries for 29 yards, Williams was credited with three avoided tackles. With an average of just under 6 Yards Per Carry, this slight workload was enough from coaches to shut him down for the day. Williams also had a 4-yard run go for a touchdown but was nullified by a holding penalty. This performance shows that the coaches have seen enough in Williams to save him for real game action and should expect to see a healthy dose of him next week when the starters play.

Royce Freeman was originally a running back that many believed would be on the outside looking in on the Broncos’ running back room. With the injuries to Mike Boone and Melvin Gordon, Freeman may cement a spot on the week one roster due to reliability and a good preseason. Freeman matched Williams in carries with five but went for 33 yards on his runs. With an average of 6.6 Yards Per Carry, that is the kind of production many in Denver thought he would enjoy when taking him in the 2018 draft. He added to his versatility on a couple of catches for 14 yards as well. While never living up to the hype, Freeman could earn a spot as a solid role player due to injury if luck doesn’t go the Broncos’ way.

The Receiver room may be deeper than we think

Some of Denver’s top receiving talent was benched to avoid injury this game. Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, and Albert Okuwuegbunam all did not participate in the game against Minnesota. These absences left plenty of opportunity for the receivers on the bubble to showcase their talent and give the coaching staff a reason to keep them on the roster.

One such receiver was camp standout Trinity Benson. Regardless of which quarterback was playing, Benson was a favorite target and frequently found success. Benson caught all four balls thrown his way and amassed 36 yards and two touchdowns on the day. With this first performance, if Benson can stay consistent with this type of production throughout the rest of the preseason he very well may find a roster spot to start the year.

Wide Receivers K.J Hamler and Jerry Jeudy got playing time at the beginning of the game as well, with the big play being Hamler’s 80-yard touchdown bomb in the first quarter. When the regular season begins, the Broncos will find a formidable Wide Receiver room with the likes of Sutton, Jeudy, Hamler, and Patrick all having experience in this offense. Behind the first four or so Receivers, the spots behind them seem to be wide open, and the decision will be up to those fighting for those last couple spots to impress in the remaining preseason games to secure their roster spot.

The Quarterbacks started on the right foot

Both Quarterbacks for Denver came into the game needing to put on solid performances against the Vikings. Both Lock and Bridgewater focused on putting good drives together to gain an advantage in the quarterback competition going back to camp. Happily, for everyone following the Broncos, both QB prospects had great starting games.

First and foremost, preseason or not, Drew Lock looked good. Lock finished the day 5-7-151 and had two touchdown throws on the day, one of which being the 80-yard throw to Hamler. Lock consistently was able to find the open man and to control the pocket, buying time with his legs and knowing when to tuck and run. If Lock can put together multiple performances like this in the following weeks, it would be hard to imagine him not taking the starting spot. Lock finished the day with only two passes not caught and a passer rating of 153.3 before taking a seat for the other Quarterback competing for the starting job. While a great start, Lock will be watched closely to see if he has found the consistency that has been lacking in his previous play.

Teddy Bridgewater entered for the second part of the game, and also found success with the offense that remained on the field. While not as flashy as the Lock at the start, Bridgewater finished the day with success as he accumulated 74 yards on seven attempts and one touchdown as well. Bridgewater also had a rushing touchdown on the day but was called back because of a flag. Bridgewater was brought in because of his safe attitude and tendency to take safe throws as a counter to Lock’s erratic play. For him to win the starting job, he must show he can be aggressive when needed and push the ball downfield instead of taking the safe throws. Next week, Bridgewater will start with the first-team offense and will be put under the spotlight to show what he has learned throughout the offseason.

While both Lock and Bridgewater put on solid showings, they must build off of their performances and show that they are ready to make the jump to being the full-time starter for this loaded Denver offense. The next couple of weeks and game prep will be essential to naming the Denver Broncos 2021 starting Quarterback.

Recap

While this was only a preseason game in the first week of the season, there was plenty of excitement to go around. Broncos Country saw a competent offense and a defense that lived up to the hype of the off-season. The attention will now focus on the next two preseason games as evidence to decide who needs to be on the roster and who needs more time on the practice squad to hone their skills. Building off of the success of this game will be the challenge coach Vic Fangio will have to ensure his team performs at upcoming practice. There is plenty of opportunity for excitement in the upcoming week for the Denver Broncos.

The post Five takeaways from the Denver Broncos first preseason game appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Steven Johnson

The last article in this series looked into the first five games of the Denver Broncos season for the coming year. After looking over these games, Denver took wins against the Giants, Jaguars, Jets, and Steelers. The Broncos did lose to the Baltimore Ravens, giving them a 4-1 start to the upcoming season. This article will look into the next three games, coming against their first divisional foe, a resurgent Browns team, and a Washington team struggling with many facets, including a name.

Week 6: Home against Las Vegas Raiders

Since leaving Oakland in 2017 to migrate the team to Las Vegas, The Raiders have been in the same mediocrity the Broncos have been fighting regarding winning games. The Raiders have seen several veteran players retire this offseason. Because of this, they look to lean on young talent that they have been building the team around. Last year after finishing with an 8-8 record, the Las Vegas defense took much of the blame for the losses. The raiders sat at 10th in the NFL for points scored, but a league bottom 30th in points allowed. While the offense was holding its own, the defense told a different story.

The defensive side of Las Vegas will look different this season as the Raiders drafted three safeties, a corner, and an Edge rusher in this latest draft alone. Coming into week 6, the Raiders will have established their game plan for their new defense to be successful. By this time, the young Denver offense will be settling into their identity as well. This game represents a chance for the Denver defense to show off against a competent Las Vegas offense. Touting high draft pick WR Henry Ruggs III and free-agent acquisitions John Brown and Willie Snead, they look to make up for the lost production of their departed leading receiver Nelson Agholor.

Ultimately, I believe this contest will boil down to Denver and its young offensive playmakers putting together consistent drives against an untested defense for Las Vegas. Look for deep bombs to receivers to open up the game and test the new secondary Las Vegas has put together. If the defensive side for the Broncos is as fearsome as told, then it will be up to the offense to support them and make the most of the opportunities they receive. In the end, I believe the Broncos come into their first divisional game ready and fired up against an age-old rival, putting the rest of the AFC West on notice with a dominant victory somewhere in the range of 37-20.

Week 7: @Cleveland Browns

The Browns had a resurgence in talent this past season as Baker Mayfield found his rhythm and led Cleveland to a competent offense. Behind a strong running game in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, the team flourished. Pushing to their first playoff appearance since 2002 and their first WIN since 1994, the Browns seemed to have broken their mediocrity streak of the past twenty years. The Browns were able to shock the Pittsburgh Steelers in back-to-back weeks at the very end of the season. After finishing the regular season with a win and eliminating them in the Wildcard round of the playoffs, the Browns showed the NFL they were ready to compete again.

Going into last NFL season the Browns’ offense seemed to have a deadly receiving core, including Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. before Beckham went down early on with an ACL tear that ended his season. Besides the Ravens, which are also a part of the AFC North, Cleveland’s offense presents the best opportunity at this point in the season to push the defensive side of the ball for Denver. While injury concerns may hover, a healthy Nick Chubb and Beckham Jr. throughout the season instantly turn this offense into an even more impressive lineup that should see the Browns have equal or better success in games this season.

On the opposite side of the ball, the Broncos line will be staring down a Von Miller type player on the defense in Miles Garret and will reunite with former Bronco Malik Jackson as well. The Browns secondary is formidable with the likes of Greedy Williams, Grant Delpit, and Denzel Ward as well. The Broncos’ offense might have a hard time moving the ball and will need a sound game plan for both the offense and defense. Both sides of the ball must play great if they wish to have success against a Browns team back on track. Ultimately, I believe the Broncos lose this game, not for lack of talent but simply because the Browns are moving into the higher ranks of teams in the NFL after years of struggling. The Browns seem to be a team putting all the pieces together, and the Broncos cannot pull enough together to salvage a win, losing 38-17.

Week 8: Home VS Washington Football Team

The Washington Football Team is coming off a playoff berth season from last year after winning out of a decimated NFC East division. Taking advantage of the floundering Dallas Cowboys without quarterback Dak Prescott and the Giants without star running back Saquon Barkley, Washington was able to slip into playoffs without a real quarterback at the end of last season. Cycling through Dwayne Haskins, Alex Smith, and new fan-favorite Taylor Heinicke, Washington was eliminated in the first round by the eventual Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Coming into the 2021 season, Washington has recruited journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and hopes to use him to get the most out of their receiving core with speedster Terry McLaurin and former Titan Adam Humphries. This Washington offense is severely untested, and while there very well might be some Fitzpatrick magic to go around, one may have questions about their ability to perform.

The one bright spot on the Washington Football Team is its defense, especially along the line. Star Chase Young has settled into a force in the NFL, and Montez Sweat helped Young along the line to combine for sixteen-and-a-half sacks this past season. The secondary boasts former Giants’ star Landon Collins and a solid corner in Kendall Fuller. Washington had its defense ranked number two overall last year, giving high hopes for the franchise on one side of the ball. If the offense can settle into a safe complementary role, the defense could do more than enough to keep them competitive.

For this game, the Broncos will have to keep the quarterback clean and avoid negative plays if they want to take advantage of this Washington team. This means that passes will be quick to avoid giving Young and company time to get in the backfield, and runs will be designed away from the brunt of the line. One would expect the Broncos to take advantage of their speedy receivers in K.J Hamler and Jerry Jeudy. Also, look for mismatches with tight end Noah Fant to spread the field and make room in the box for running backs Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams. The Denver defense should take advantage of a young offense that has yet to find its quarterback, and it will be up to the offense to put up enough points to let the defense close it out. I believe this game might be closer than some would think, maybe due to doses of Fitzmagic, but ultimately the Broncos and their defensive prowess win the day, 26-20.

At this point in the season, Denver would be looking at a strong 6-2 record sitting at the halfway point of the season. a strong record bodes miles better for the team than their previous starts, no longer having to make up ground after starting at a sub .500 record. This could be crucial for the second half of the season, where games will get closer and teams more established as playoff implications become bigger and teams adapt to the typical season injuries and rotations.

The post A look into the Denver Broncos 2021 season: games 6 through 8 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Steven Jay

With an official team training camp underway for the Broncos, many people are speculating about the state of the Broncos and how individual players will impact their positional group. With the focus on the long-awaited Quarterback battle between Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater, this article will highlight lesser-known competitions to be aware of that will impact the team as a whole.

The Trenches

For several years, the offensive line for Denver has been a rotation of placeholders and aging veterans that the front office has put together to try and retain some form of stability. The emergence of Garrett Bolles as a top-tier Left Tackle and several promising young prospects on the interior, such as Guard Dalton Risner, has narrowed the last glaring hole on the offensive line to Right Tackle. After overspending on the oft-injured Ja’Wuan James, who has only managed to play a total of 3 games for the Broncos since signing in 2019, Right Tackle is still a question mark for the team. James has since left the organization after suffering yet another injury earlier in the offseason, and Denver will now turn to its young talent to fill in gaps in his absence.

Heading into camp, head coach Vic Fangio stated that “a guy not to go to sleep on is Calvin Anderson.” Playing Tackle at Rice and the University of Texas, Anderson went undrafted in the 2019 NFL draft. After bouncing around between the Patriots and Jets, Anderson came to Denver in 2019 as a backup. After earning his spot, he also managed to sign a one-year contract with the Broncos earlier this year. Still only twenty-five years old, Anderson has gained praise from the Denver coaching staff and has started on a good foot this camp with first-team reps. Outside of a veteran free agent signing with the team, Anderson may very well have the best shot at the starting job. It will be up to him to take hold of the opportunity and show the coaching staff, including renowned Offensive Line coach Mike Munchak that they are correct to place their trust in the young Tackle.

Denver’s Secondary

With Denver’s offseason spending and most recent draft, all eyes are on the Denver defensive secondary. Bringing in the likes of Kyle Fuller and Alabama standout Patrick Surtain II, the Broncos are poised to have a fearsome group of Defensive Backs this season. One could argue that they have too much talent to put on the field at once. One such position to watch will be the Cornerback battle between established veterans Kyle Fuller and Bryce Callahan and new editions Patrick Surtain II and last year’s rookie Michael Ojemudia.

While Fuller and Callahan are poised to be the starting Corners for this Bronco’s defense, the young playmakers should also be involved. This training camp will show glimpses into how the coaching staff plans to incorporate their round one draft pick in Surtain and continue to build off Ojemudia’s eventful rookie season last year. Both Fuller and Callahan played under Coach Vic Fangio when he was the Defensive Coordinator for the Chicago Bears and have a thorough understanding of the defense the Broncos currently employ. However, with Callahan and Fuller both hitting free-agency next season, one should think that the Broncos want to get both young corners as much experience as possible. The opportunities these young corners encounter this season will help the team prepare for next year if they take on a more prominent role. Be sure to watch how both young Corners are utilized throughout camp to get a better understanding of what is to come for the second unit as a whole throughout the season.

The Broncos receiving core

While one may think that the last place Denver needs to worry about is their pass-catchers, it is the sheer number of talented bodies that Denver has that makes this positional group so interesting. With the return of Courtland Sutton and the high praise of Jerry Jeudy after last season, some spots are already very well established. It is the players who will fill in behind them that make for the intriguing drama.

K.J. Hamler impressed with Denver last season despite soft-tissue injuries that hampered him throughout the 2020 season. Expect Hamler to settle into a more prominent role in the offense in his second year as a shifty playmaker. 2020 standout Receiver Tim Patrick hopes to continue to build off his solid performance in replacing Sutton last season after Sutton became sidelined with an ACL injury. The Broncos are also looking to find a replacement for Receiver Daesean Hamilton, releasing him earlier in the offseason after suffering an ACL tear. The likes of Trinity Benson, Tyrie Cleveland, and emergency Quarterback Kendall Hinton look to carve a role out themselves as an active roster Receiver this season. As training camp progresses, expect to hear young, unfamiliar names as this receiving core grows and fights for a spot in a deep positional group for the Broncos this season. Household names like Jeudy and Sutton will be highlighted as talking points daily, but the real intrigue will be who stands out among the lesser-known players. This information could give pointers into who the coaches feel deserve roster spots on the 53-man roster. On the opposite side, it may give away who needs another year developing among the practice squad.

Final Thoughts

Without bringing up the Quarterback controversy, there are still plenty of exciting positional groups to examine and talk about throughout training camp. These are not simply important to decipher but are fresh talking points compared to the constant drone of back-and-forth drama between the two quarterback fan camps. Not only are these groups just as important, I believe they will provide even more entertainment for the viewer.

The post Denver’s non QB Position Battles to watch this training camp appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Steven Johnson

NFL football is tantalizingly close to returning, and with official team practices about to start, team personnel will begin meeting to make plans. It is now officially the hype part of the offseason where every team is a contender in their fan’s eyes. With that being said, the Denver Broncos’ schedule this upcoming season will be analyzed in a series of different articles to see how things might fair if the Broncos effectively trot out a fully healthy and competitive team.
(For this article and the divisive issue of quarterback choice for the Broncos this season, the reader can decide who they envision starting for the quarterback position.)

Week 1: @NYG

Starting week one the Broncos will travel to the Big Apple to take on a sputtering young quarterback in whom the Giants franchise has put their faith. Daniel Jones, while selected in the first round, has yet to put it all together to show the Giants that they have their successor to Eli Manning. To give him the benefit of the doubt, Jones has also been missing his star running back in Saquon Barkley. This will be a make-or-break year for Jones, and obviously, the pressure is on both young offenses to start producing. Denver’s choices of bringing in Kyle Fuller and drafting Patrick Surtain this offseason has made waves, while New York has quietly been flying under the radar with their solid defensive roster as well. The likes of Adoree’ Jackson in the secondary and Leonard Williams providing pressure at the line could bring as much trouble for the Broncos’ young offense as everyone imagines the Broncos defense will create for Jones.

Week one could very well be the steppingstone that sees a young offense putting together their chemistry. Considering this, fans should also expect a healthy number of mistakes along with the electric plays we may see on both sides of the ball. Expect heavy doses of Melvin Gordon and safe, high percentage throws to the Tight Ends in Noah Fant and Albert Okuegbunam.

True to their offseason moves intended to bring in great defensive talent, the Broncos ride high on performance from their shiny new defensive toys, the re-emergence of Von Miller, and benefit from a lackluster young Giants offense to take a 20-17 week one road win to start the season off on a positive note.

Week 2: @Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been the media sensation this offseason in the NFL. Their first overall pick, Trevor Lawrence out of Clemson, has been donned the Jaguars’ savior at the quarterback position, and the inflamed media circus that has followed former Broncos Quarterback Tim Tebow everywhere since his first year as a rookie in the NFL. Despite shaking things up in the offseason, the Jaguars must still put everything on paper in order to field a competitive team after winning only one game last season.

Heading into Week two, Jacksonville SHOULD be coming off of a win over the dysfunctional Houston Texans in their week one matchup. Heading into his NFL career on a 1-0 start, Lawrence will bring confidence and a mindset that 2-0 is possible against a Broncos team that has missed the playoffs every year since winning the championship in 2015 over five years ago. The Broncos will not be so quick to roll over to Jacksonville and the hype. The Jaguars will come into the game happy with their franchise quarterback and leave recognizing that while he may be the future, he is still a rookie. The Denver defense must be salivating at the idea of getting to face a rookie quarterback early in week two of the season and sending a message to the league about the state of their defensive power. Jacksonville ranked bottom three in almost every defensive category last season, and while they may have their future stud in Lawrence, this is still a young team at the core of a much-needed rebuild for their roster.

Denver handily takes this game after both defensively flustering Lawrence into rookie mistakes and the Broncos’ offense gets rolling behind a strong rushing attack. The Broncos take this one 34-14 and roll a two-game win streak into Week 3 against”¦.

Week 3: Home VS J-E-T-S

After two back-to-back road trips to start the season and more than a year, the Broncos get their first home game in front of a stadium packed full of fans. Mile High will be rocking come week three, and the Jets will feel it.

In this week three match up, the Broncos will have the privilege of playing two first-round rookie quarterbacks in a row. With Zach Wilson as the Jets’ first-round selection and Sam Darnold shipped off to the Panthers, the Jets are entering what feels like their final reset before climbing back to competitive football. After losing the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes by winning a game late in the season against the Browns, they decided to take the next best thing in Zach Wilson at number two overall. They coupled this pick with young talent in Alijah Vera-Tucker on the O-line and another wide receiving threat in Elijah Moore in order to help Wilson build an offense, but as last year Frank Gore still lead the team in rushing yards at thirty-seven years old, there are still plenty of holes to fill.

The Broncos’ defense will again take advantage of the young offense put in front of them and give this Jets team a run for their money. By week three, the Broncos’ offense should have a good sense of who they need to be identity-wise regardless of quarterback, and there would be no better time to give rookie running back Javonte Williams the spotlight as the Broncos’ featured back. Again, much like with Jacksonville, a 2-14 record doesn’t disappear overnight, and the Jets, while on the right path, still have a mountain to climb to get back to competitive football.

Denver takes this one as well after the defense gets to flex its muscles in consecutive weeks. Von Miller breaks out the strip-sack dance to set up a short field Noah Fant touchdown, and they roll out of Mile High somewhere in the range of 32-20.

Week 4: Home vs Ravens

Back at Mile High, Week four presents the first game that will likely challenge this Broncos defense. The Ravens’ offensive ability orchestrated by Lamar Jackson will give the Broncos a true test of their defensive ability as a unit. The combination of solid running back play, a mobile quarterback, and speedy receivers will give an explosive look at just how much the Broncos can handle. On the offensive side of the ball, the Broncos line will get a reunion with former player Derek Wolfe for the first time as he comes back to Mile High since leaving for the Ravens one season ago. With the trenches being holed up by Wolfe and Calais Campbell, this game could very well turn into a passing shootout between the two teams, especially with a healthy Von Miller and Mike Purcell on the other side for the Broncos.

The return of a healthy Courtland Sutton looms large for the first time as the Broncos will need the big-body receiver to make plays alongside the likes of Jeudy’s shifty routes and K.J Hamler’s speed. Despite the Broncos’ solid young core on the offensive side of the ball, the difference in experience between the two teams will be the deciding factor.

Ultimately, this is likely the first game the Broncos lose as Jackson’s scrambling proves too much and some unlucky bounces fall the Broncos way. The Ravens take this one 31-24, but the Broncos put out a solid showing and still sit at a nice 3-1 record heading into Week 5.

Week 5: @Steelers

A week after facing Lamar and his elusive play-making ability, the Broncos travel to the Black and Gold in Pittsburgh to face Ben Roethlisberger and their new running back in Najee Harris. This game provides a night and day difference in what the Broncos have faced in week 4, since Big Ben is not necessarily known for his scrambling ability. The other big factor in play here is that the Steelers’ offensive line will be returning only one starter from last season after suffering several losses to the group this offseason. Long-time Steeler Alejandro Villanueva departed for the Ravens in the offseason, along with Matt Feiler leaving for Los Angeles to join the Chargers.

Broncos fans know what a rotating line can do to team chemistry, and the Broncos D-line can use this opportunity to feast on Big Ben. Bradley Chubb has the opportunity for his first breakout game of the season due to Von Miller getting as much attention as the Steelers can throw at him. Big Ben is sacked no less than four times and the Broncos spark an electric offensive showing behind their emerging running back duo in Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams. The Steelers secondary is quietly formidable with the likes of Minkah Fitzpatrick, Joe Haden, and Terrell Edmunds, so the Broncos should not expect to see a lot of aggressive passing opportunities, lest they give the game up.

Don’t expect fireworks but do expect the Broncos defense to not only give the offense enough opportunities, but also score themselves to put this one away 27-17.

Final Thoughts

Heading into the second part of the season, the Broncos should take advantage of a favorable early schedule and move into Week 6 against their first divisional game at 4-1. This should be the first year the Broncos get a solid record accumulated heading into the meat of the season, as in previous years a 0-4 and 1-3 start loomed large. Starting on a positive note this season will pay huge dividends heading into the last two-thirds of the season and situate the team to have more meaningful games to play later in the year.

The post A look into the Denver Broncos 2021 Season: Games 1 through 5 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.