DENVER: For the primary time in seven seasons, the Denver Broncos will head into December with a successful file, one thing that appeared unfathomable once they stumbled to a 1-5 begin.
In their first month beneath Sean Payton, the Broncos (6-5) misplaced three video games at house to underdogs — the Raiders, Commanders and Jets — who’re a mixed 10-22 in opposition to different opponents.
Of course, their worst loss was that 70-20 meltdown in Miami in Week 3 once they surrendered 10 touchdowns — yet another than they’ve given up of their final six video games mixed.
They put collectively their most full sport but of their 29-12 rout of the Browns (7-4), neutralizing Myles Garrett and the league’s greatest protection, thwarting Cleveland’s vaunted floor sport, recovering three fumbles and scoring three purple zone touchdowns, which has been their bugaboo.
“There were a lot of things we did that I was pleased with,” the notoriously nitpicking Payton mentioned after transferring above .500 for the primary time with the Broncos. “And I felt like we beat a good football team.”
The Broncos jumped out to a 14-0 lead, which helped the protection capitalize on heavier fronts to cease the run.
“Our offense did such a great job to set us up, to be able to pin our ears back and put them in passing situations to let us get after it,” security Justin Simmons mentioned. “It was just great team ball. I am really proud of this team and how we have fought to keep it rolling.”
The Broncos allowed solely two area objectives within the first half, however the second, with 22 seconds left earlier than the break, prevented Denver from taking its first double-digit halftime lead within the 26 video games Russell Wilson has been their beginning quarterback.
And the Broncos once more slogged by the third quarter, which has been their weak spot all season. They took a 17-12 lead into the fourth quarter earlier than pulling away on a Wilson landing move, a Wil Lutz area purpose and a security by Zach Allen that gave Denver its largest margin of victory in practically two years.
The Broncos’ resiliency, which has been on show going again to their final loss (19-8 at Kansas City on Oct. 12), was epitomized by how they dealt with Baron Browning’s debatable roughing-the-passer flag that knocked rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson out of the sport and turned a third-and-12 cease into a primary down for the Browns.
Two performs later, defensive deal with D.J. Jones recovered a fumble by backup QB P.J. Walker for Denver’s second takeaway, this one establishing Wilson on the Cleveland 20-yard line to start out the fourth quarter.
“First of all, we’re resilient,” mentioned Wilson, who responded with an 8-yard landing toss to tight finish Adam Trautman. “The best part about us is we’ve been resilient for all of these games. We’ve played some really great teams, top-echelon teams, Kansas City, obviously, Buffalo on the road, which is a tough environment. Cleveland has been great all year. It’s a great defense.
“I think the best thing about us, though, is it’s about us. It’s about us being together,” Wilson mentioned. “Our defense has been lights out. One of the best defenses in the world. Those guys have been unbelievable. … We’ve handled the adversity. The reality is that we have a lot more ball to go. We have to stay humble and hungry. We have a lot more to do. We feel like we’re just getting started.”
WHAT’S WORKING
Denver’s protection has achieved an about-face since its Miami meltdown in Week 3.
WHAT NEEDS WORK
Halftime changes. The Broncos have managed only one area purpose and one landing on their opening drives after halftime. Seven instances they’ve punted, together with 4 3-and-outs, and so they’ve missed a area purpose and noticed one other one blocked. Overall, they’ve been outscored 71-20 within the third quarter, an eerily comparable rating to their loss to the Dolphins.
STOCK UP
RB Samaje Perine has been Mr. Reliable all season and on Sunday he ran seven instances for 55 yards and and a landing.
STOCK DOWN
WR Jerry Jeudy had three targets and two catches for a season-low 11 yards.
INJURIES
There have been no accidents of consequence within the sport because the Broncos stay one of many league’s healthiest groups. WR Brandon Johnson (hamstring) is eligible to return from IR this week.
KEY NUMBERS
5:1 — Wilson’s NFL-best touchdown-to-interception ratio. Wilson has thrown for no less than one landing in each sport this season and he hasn’t thrown an interception throughout Denver’s five-game successful streak.
Plus-12 — Denver’s turnover differential over its final 4 video games, its greatest such stretch since 2000.
NEXT STEPS
If the Broncos can lengthen their successful streak to 6 on Sunday at Houston, they’ll have wins — and tiebreakers — over the Bills, Browns and Texans, three groups they’re jockeying with to get into the AFC playoff image.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
