The Denver Broncos lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in a 30-24 overtime heartbreaker on Saturday. Here are five quick takeaways from the defeat.
1. Javonte Williams has been demoted: It seems that Williams has been fully demoted to a passing-down blocking role. Jaleel McLaughlin led the team with 10 carries for 69 yards on Saturday and Audric Estime was up next with nine carries for 24 yards. Williams did not get a single carry, but he did turn to targets into a pair of receptions for zero yards. Expect a similar rotation next week.
2. Riley Moss seemed rusty: After sitting out three games with a knee injury, Moss was back in the lineup on Saturday, but he didn’t look 100% (it probably didn’t help that he took a hit to the head early in the game). While Pat Surtain limited Ja’Marr Chase to three receptions for 27 yards, Moss allowed Tee Higgins to haul in seven receptions for 101 yards and two scores, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Higgins repeatedly beating Moss essentially decided the game. “Sometimes you eat a (sh-t) sandwich and you’ve got to own it,” Moss said after the loss.
Two extremely related stats, both via @NextGenStats:
Patrick Surtain was over Ja’Marr Chase on 43 of 56 coverage snaps (77%). Chase was 3 for 27 on 6 targets when covered by Surtain
Tee Higgins against Riley Moss (25 snaps): 8 targets, 7 catches, 101 yards, 2 scores
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) December 29, 2024
3. Sean Payton should have gone for two: With eight seconds left in the game, Payton opted to kick an extra point and play for overtime instead of going for two and attempting to secure a win and clinch a playoff spot. Payton justified it by saying Denver only need a tie to clinch a postseason berth, but the decision backfield when Cincy scored a touchdown in OT (a predictable outcome given their high-powered offense). Payton won’t admit it, but he made the wrong decision.
4. Bo Nix blew it, twice: Nix had a chance to win the game twice on Saturday. The first opportunity came when Surtain forced and recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter, giving the offense the ball near midfield with just over five minutes remaining in a tie game. Instead of leading a go-ahead scoring drive, Nix promptly threw an interception, squandering Surtain’s takeaway. Then, in overtime after the defense forced a Cincinnati punt, Nix overthrew an open Troy Franklin on third down, forcing a Denver punt. The Bengals then missed a potential game-winning field goal, gifting Nix another opportunity to close out the game with a win or tie by scoring or eating up the clock. Nix and the offense promptly went three-and-out. Then Cincy drove down the field and won the game. If the Broncos are going to make the playoffs and avoid getting embarrassed, Nix needs to step up in clutch moments.
5. The playoffs are still within reach: Denver still has a simple path to the playoffs. The Broncos just need to beat (or tie) the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18. Denver will be playing at home and Kansas City will likely rest key starters with the No. 1 seed already secured. Playing at home in their beautiful throwback uniform, the Broncos need just one win to get in (or some help from a few other teams if they lose).
All hope is not lost. Denver can still reach the postseason.
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