Initial thoughts from the Broncos’ 19-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18 at Empower Field:
1. Bo Nix? More like Boo Nix: Bo Nix became Boo Nix. Sean Payton’s offense only made into the Chargers’ red zone three times after 57 minutes against a Los Angeles defense that was sitting all-world safety Derwin James Jr. And that same offense went 0-3 on touchdown tries during those first three trips. Heck, the offense still hadn’t found the end zone at the 2-minute mark. The Broncos might have locked down the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a victory over the Chargers, but Broncomaniacs were so frustrated, they booed the offense in late in the first half and at least twice during the second. Empower Field’s got some of the best fans in the world. But what good is home-field advantage when the locals don’t trust you to finish drives?
2. Forsyth absence felt: You know when you feel the impact of your backup center? When you’re forced to give an extended look to your third-team guy at the position. Alex Forsyth has been a mixed bag since deputizing for injured starter Luke Wattenberg, but was off to a strong start Sunday. With Forsyth in the middle of the line, the Broncos ran the ball 13 times for 75 yards in the first quarter, eating up 10:17 as the hosts hammered out a 10-0 lead. Then Forsyth appeared to roll his right ankle on a second-and-8 Bo Nix scramble with 1:16 left in the first quarter, and third-teamer Sam Mustipher took his place. The Broncos’ next two carries netted minus-3 yards. Forsyth would return, but the run game was never the same.
3. McMillian can catch, but can he jump?: We’re not sure if Ja’Quan McMillian can dunk. But we know the dude can catch. With 3:39 left, a fastball zipped by Trey Lance went through the hands of KeAndre Lambert-Smith and into the waiting mitts of the Broncos nickelback at the Chargers’ 45-yard line. McMillian found a lane and a convoy up the left boundary for a pick-6 that put the Broncos up 9-0. The celebration, in which Pat Surtain II lobbed a ball underneath the crossbar for McMillian to try and alley-oop dunk it over, was a little, um, short. But given that it was the first defensive score of the season, and it came in Week 18, Broncos Country will happily let that brick slide.
4. Cooper, Trautman missing bonuses: So much for a couple of Broncos veterans landing some late Christmas gifts from Sean Payton — although only one player should have any real beef with the Broncos coach. Outside linebacker Jonathan Cooper needed three sacks against the Chargers to activate a $500,000 bonus for 2025. Through three quarters Sunday, the ex-Ohio State star didn’t register a tackle, let alone a sack. But spare a thought and a dime for Adam Trautman, too. The Broncos’ 28-year-old tight end needed five catches to hit 25 receptions on the season and rake in a $125,000 bonus. The latter’s career best for catches on the season was 27, set in 2021 as a member of Payton’s Saints.
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