Initial thoughts from the Broncos’ 28-14 win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 9 at Empower Field:
Lil’ mistake: How do you lose a game as a 13-point favorite? Well, turning the ball over on the first possession of the game is a good (or bad) place to start. So, of course, that’s just what Denver did on Sunday, with Carolina defensive tackle Shy Tuttle punching the ball away from Sean Payton favorite Lil’Jordan Humphrey on an 8-yard reception near midfield. Ten plays later, the Panthers had themselves a 7-0 lead. How do you win a game as a 13-point favorite? By immediately flushing it … which Sean Payton’s Broncos very much did.
Pump up the value: The Panthers are the team that cures all ills. Prior to Sunday, Courtland Sutton was a No. 1 receiver whose time in Denver was winding down — a goose egg at New Orleans serving as the latest bit of evidence. Then he went out and reeled in 93 yards by halftime. Prior to Sunday, Denver desperately needed help at tight end after the group produced 136 yards and zero TDs through seven weeks. Then Adam Trautman turned into Rob Gronkowski, reeling in a 19-yard TD grab with one hand, and Denver’s tight ends finished with seven catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Oh, and …
Bo knows footwork: Prior to Sunday, Bo Nix’s footwork was the problem keeping him from consistently throwing the ball down the field accurately. Then the rookie quarterback completed 21 of 27 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns over the first two quarters (and swan-dived in another TD at the goal line). So, a cool 8.1 yards per attempt. Suppose you could say the Oregon product finally found his footing. Or he just played the Panthers. We’ll find out soon enough.
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Halfway there: Eight games in, and the Broncos (5-3) are over .500. Not a bad place to be considering how this whole thing started: 0-2 and staring at a two-game East Coast swing through Tampa Bay and New York. It’s been eight years since the Broncos had a winning record after eight games. That also happens to be the last time they posted a winning record. Is it time to Bo-lieve? In a rebuilding season with a rookie quarterback taking the snaps from Day 1, does it really matter? Denver is competent again — nowhere near the dumpster fire standing on the opposite headline. And everything is in front of them. Everything.
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