Tag: Courtland Sutton

7 Broncos players were snubbed by Pro Bowl voters

Zach Allen and Quinn Meinerz headline the list of Broncos players who were snubbed by Pro Bowl voters.

The NFL announced 2025 Pro Bowl rosters on Thursday and three Denver Broncos players have made the AFC’s squad. An additional eight players were named Pro Bowl alternates, but two of them should have been locks for the all-star game and five others deserved strong consideration.

Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen and guard Quinn Meinerz should have been considered easy choices for the Pro Bowl. Instead, Allen is a fourth alternate and Meinerz is a first alternate.

Denver left tackle Garett Bolles is a third alternate, but wide receiver Courtland Sutton did not even make the alternate list despite finishing third among AFC wide receivers in fan votes (players and coaches accounted for two-thirds of the voting).

Broncos pass rusher Jonathon Cooper, special teams ace Tremon Smith and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers were also overlooked for alternate consideration.

1. Zach Allen has recorded 73 pressures, 8.5 sacks (tied for second among AFC interior defensive linemen), 39 QB hits, 34 hurries, 15 tackles behind the line, one safety and one pass breakup this season.

2. Quinn Meinerz delivers big pancake blocks on a near-weekly basis and his 86.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranks fifth among NFL guards.

3. Garett Bolles was credited with allowing two sacks this season and his 88.8 pass-blocking grade on PFF ranks fifth in the NFL among offensive tackles.

4. Courtland Sutton‘s 983 receiving yards rank seventh among AFC receivers and his seven touchdowns are also tied for seventh. His 53 first downs on receptions rank fifth among receivers in the conference.

5. Jonathon Cooper‘s 9.5 sacks this year rank ninth in the AFC and 12th overall. He has also totaled 57 pressures, 36 hurries, 19 QB hits, 10 tackles behind the line, one forced fumble and one pass breakup this season.

6. Tremon Smith has been a special teams ace in 2024, helping the Broncos pin opponents deep in their own territory on punts. Smith has played 82% of the team’s special teams snaps and PFF has given him a 71.2 ST grade.

7. John Franklin-Myers has been a disruptive player for Denver this fall, recording six sacks, 49 pressures, 33 hurries and 16 QB hits. His 82.4 pass-rush rate on PFF ranks fourth among interior defensive linemen.

Bonus: Punter Riley Dixon was busy this season with the third-most punts (75) in the NFL. His 3,509 yards ranked second in the AFC and fourth overall. Dixon’s net average of 42.2 yards per punt ranked seventh in the AFC and 11th in the NFL. His 32 kicks downed inside the 20-yard line ranked third in the conference and fourth overall.

The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will be held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Feb. 2. The NFC defeated the AFC 64-59 last season.

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Chargers secure second-half comeback over Broncos: Instant analysis of Week 16 win

Here’s our recap of the Chargers’ loss to the Broncos in a game that saw Los Angeles complete a double-digit comeback.

The Chargers pieced together a double-digit comeback in the second half, taking down the Broncos in a 34-27 battle on Thursday night.

Here’s our recap of Los Angeles’ Week 16 win.

It was over when…

Justin Herbert pitched the ball to Hassan Haskins, who ran for a 34-yard touchdown with 2:27 remaining to go up by 10.

Notable number

The Chargers swept the Broncos for the first time since the 2010 season.

3 stars of the game

  1. QB Justin Herbert: 281 yards, 2 passing touchdowns
  2. RB Gus Edwards: 2 rushing TDs
  3. WR Ladd McConkey: 6 catches, 87 yards

Quick hits

  • Before their win, the Chargers had lost 13 straight games when trailing by double digits, the fifth-longest active streak in the NFL.
  • Credit offensive coordinator Greg Roman for devising a game plan that resulted in 34 points against the league’s best defense.
  • The Chargers totaled 380 yards, 263 passing and 117 rushing, averaging 6.2 yards per play. They went 3 of 4 in the red zone.
  • Justin Herbert connected with ten different pass-catchers.
  • According to Next Gen Stats, Herbert used play action on a career-high 47.2% of his dropbacks against Denver, finishing 12 of 15 for 155 yards with a play fake.
  • Ladd McConkey led all receivers with 87 yards. Joshua Palmer was second with 41 yards on three catches.
  • Before his 43-yard run, Gus Edwards was only averaging 1.9. yards per carry. Still, Edwards found the end zone twice, bringing his touchdown total to four on the season.
  • After giving up three touchdowns in the first half, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter made some adjustments by dialing up and executing more pressure to mitigate the thin defensive backfield.
  • In the second half, Los Angeles forced four punts, two of which were three-and-outs, on five of Denver’s possessions.
  • Ryan Ficken, knowing the free-kick law, paid off as Cameron Dicker’s 57-yard field goal was good right before the half, the first free-kick FG since 1976.
  • The Chargers now have a 97% chance to make the playoffs after the win.

What’s next?

The Chargers are back on the road to face the Patriots (3-11) on Saturday, Dec. 28, at 10:00 am PT.

Closing in on first-ever playoff berth ‘means the world’ to Garett Bolles

Garett Bolles, the longest-tenured Bronco (eight years), could secure a playoff berth for the first time in his career on Thursday.

Now in his eighth season with the Denver Broncos, left tackle Garett Bolles is the team’s longest-tenured player. When the Broncos defeated the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday and improved to 9-5 on Sunday, it clinched the first winning season of Bolles’ career.

Now, with a Thursday Night Football showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers on deck, Bolles is just one win away from clinching the first playoff berth of his career.

“It means the world to me, you know, I haven’t done it since I’ve been back here so to get back to where we belong and to bring our amazing fans the opportunity to cheer for us deep in the playoffs, it’s awesome, it’s an awesome feeling,” Bolles said after Sunday’s win.

“We just got to focus on one game at a time. We got a big game coming up this week. We didn’t play great today, but we did enough to win. Sometimes the ball bounces our way and that’s what happened today. When we’re deep down in this stretch, when we’re playing good teams, we got to make sure we control the ball and do the things we need to do, but I’m proud of how we fought today.”

Denver wide receiver Courtland Sutton, in his seventh season, is also seeking his first postseason appearance.

“It’s a great opportunity that is ahead of us,” Sutton said. “(We) haven’t been able to sniff it (playoffs) and to be in a position to know that we if we finish strong, we can improve our seeding in the playoffs is an amazing feeling. We have a nice little stretch coming up, some really good games coming up.

“We have to take care of business; keeping everybody focused and locked in. Yes, that was a big game. It gave us a better chance (to make the playoffs and improve seeding), but these games ahead of us give us an even better chance of better seeding and putting ourselves in a better situation moving forward.”

Thursday’s game will be available to stream on Prime. The Broncos are one win away from clinching a spot in the 2024 NFL playoffs.

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5 Broncos players to watch in Week 16 vs. Chargers

This Week 16 primetime matchup will have huge implications on the AFC playoffs, as the Chargers beat the Broncos in their first meeting.

The stakes don’t get much bigger than this in Week 16. The Chargers host the Broncos on Thursday night with a chance to improve to 9-6.

Los Angeles won in Denver back in Week 6, so a potential sweep could have huge implications on playoff seeding. Here are five Broncos players to watch for this week’s primetime matchup:

Marvin Mims

Mims hasn’t broken out in the way that some thought he would in his sophomore campaign. He was a non-factor for the first two months of the season, but has stepped up recently. The former Oklahoma product didn’t have a game over 20 receiving yards in the team’s first 10 games, but has now topped that mark in four straight. His big play ability is something to be watched, as evidenced by his 93-yard touchdown against the Browns a few weeks ago.

Garett Bolles

Bolles caught a lot of flak early in his career for the amount of holding calls that he racked up. Nowadays, he looks like a much different player. Bolles has been superb for the Broncos in 2024, particularly in pass protection. Pro Football Focus ranks him as the fourth-best pass protector amongst OTs in 2024. His matchup against the Chargers’ edge rushers will be key in this primetime game.

Nik Bonitto

It seems to be a bit under the radar still, but Bonitto has been elite this season. The third-year linebacker is tied for third in sacks (11.5), which is already the best mark of his career. Bonitto has wrecked havoc in other ways too with 41 total tackles, three pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. The Defensive Player of the Year candidate has scored a defensive touchdown in each of his last two games as well.

Brandon Jones

Jones has tremendously helped make up for the loss of star safety Justin Simmons this season. The veteran leads the team with 91 total tackles and has been a playmaker all over the field. Jones has three interceptions, nine pass deflections, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Herbert and the Chargers offense will need to keep an eye on Jones at all times on Thursday night.

Kris Abrams-Draine

Riley Moss has established himself as an elite No. 2 cornerback for Denver this season, but he’s still a huge question mark for Thursday night. If Moss is unable to go, keep an eye on Abrams-Draine. The rookie fifth-rounder made his first career start in Week 15 and played quite well. Still, expect Herbert to target Abrams-Draine often in this one and make the rookie earn it.

Broncos inch closer to playoffs with 31-13 win over Colts

Following Sunday’s win over the Colts, the Broncos are now just one win away from clinching a spot in the NFL playoffs.

With Peyton Manning in attendance, Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix bounced back from three turnovers in a 31-13 comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon.

The Broncos improved to 9-5 with the victory and Denver now has a 91% chance of reaching the playoffs, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. The Colts dropped to 6-8 and Indy now has a 6% chance of reaching the postseason.

Denver has now clinched its first winning season since 2016.

Indianapolis took an early 7-0 lead on Sunday after quarterback Anthony Richardson rushed for a 23-yard score on the game’s opening drive. Nix then threw an interception on the Broncos’ opening drive, giving the Colts the ball back at their own 30-yard line. Indy capitalized off that takeaway by later kicking a 37-yard field goal to make it 10-0 early in the second quarter.

Later in the second quarter, Nix threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Adam Trautman to cut the deficit to 10-7.

Denver then got the ball back when safety Brandon Jones intercepted an Anthony pass, but the Broncos failed to capitalize on the takeaway and punted the ball back to Indy. The Colts later kicked a field goal to take a 13-7 lead into halftime.

Nix threw a second interception on Denver’s opening drive of the second half and Indy appeared to capitalize with a 41-yard Jonathan Taylor touchdown run, but the running back dropped the ball before the end zone and it rolled out of the endzone for a touchback to give the ball back to the Broncos.

Following the Taylor turnover, Nix threw a third interception, but the Colts gave it back one play later when P.J. Locke forced a fumble that was recovered by defensive lineman D.J. Jones. After that takeaway, Denver settled for a 44-yard Wil Lutz field goal to cut the deficit to 13-10.

The Broncos pulled ahead in the fourth quarter when Nix threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end/fullback Nate Adkins to make it 17-13.

The score was set up by a 60-yard punt return by wide receiver Marvin Mims:

Later, Denver pass rusher Nik Bonitto blew the game open with a 50-yard fumble-six to give the Broncos a commanding 24-13 lead.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Denver cornerback Pat Surtain intercepted a Richardson pass to set the Broncos up at Indy’s 35-yard line. The team initially settled for a 47-yard field goal but a Colts penalty gave Denver a first down, extending the drive. Nix then threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton to make it 31-13, which ended up being the final score.

The Broncos came out of the game banged up — running back Jaleel McLaughlin left the game in the third quarter with a quad injury and guard Quinn Meinerz left with a shoulder injury. Meinerz returned in the fourth quarter. Defensive lineman D.J. Jones left in the fourth quarter with a finger injury and cornerback Pat Surtain suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter.

Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 16 on Dec. 19. Following a Miami Dolphins loss on Sunday, Denver needs to win just one more game to clinch a playoff spot. The Broncos have not returned to the postseason since winning Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.

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WATCH: Broncos QB Bo Nix throws 3rd TD pass vs. Colts

What a way for Bo Nix to bounce back from three interceptions!

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Here’s video of the play, courtesy of the team’s official Twitter/X page:

Following the score, the Broncos now lead the Colts 31-13.

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Brian Baldinger breaks down Broncos’ best players vs. Browns

Brian Baldinger broke down film of the Broncos’ top performers against the Browns on Monday.

The Denver Broncos defeated the Cleveland Browns 41-32 in a complete team effort on Monday Night Football earlier this week.

NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger recently took to Twitter/X to review the film of some of the team’s biggest contributors in Monday’s win. Up first is Baldinger’s review of quarterback Bo Nix’s 93-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marvin Mims:

Up next is Baldinger reacting to Nix going right back to Courtland Sutton after the receiver dropped a pass:

Baldinger then reviewed Jaleel McLaughlin’s impressive performance:

Up next is praise for guard Quinn Meinerz, tackle Mike McGlinchey and tight end Adam Trautman on Javonte Williams’ touchdown run:

Baldinger also praised cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian, who has been one of his favorite players all season:

And last but certainly not least, Baldinger broke down Nik Bonitto’s big game:

Denver now has a bye this week before hosting the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.

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Bo Nix and Sean Payton can help Courtland Sutton hit some big incentives

Courtland Sutton needs 219 receiving yards and the Broncos to finish the year averaging more than 21 points per game to get an extra $1.5M.

After skipping the voluntary portion of the Denver Broncos‘ offseason program in protest of his contract this spring, wide receiver Courtland Sutton was given an extra $1.5 million worth of incentives.

That veteran receiver is now close to cashing in.

Sutton’s contract includes a $500,000 incentive for 500 receiving yards + Denver scoring more points than in 2023, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. He’s already passed 500 yards — now the offense needs to average more than 21.0 points per game (they’re currently at 23.5).

There’s another $500,000 incentive for 750 receiving yards and the team’s points improving. Sutton’s already at 846 yards this fall. The final $500,000 will be paid if Sutton hits 1,065 receiving yards.

Sutton is currently on pace for a 1,106-yard season. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix can help the receiver out by continuing to feed him down the stretch. Denver coach Sean Payton also needs his offense to continue averaging more than 21 points per game in order for Sutton to max out his incentives.

The Broncos, of course, will prioritize winning. Fortunately for Sutton, the receiver’s success has overlapped with the team’s success. If the offense continues at its current pace, Sutton will earn an extra $1.5 million this fall.

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Broncos, Nuggets players campaign for Travis Hunter to win Heisman

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton and CB Pat Surtain are campaigning for Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter to win the Heisman Trophy.

Colorado athletes stick together.

Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter is one of two frontrunners to win the Heisman Trophy this season, with Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty his biggest competition for the award in 2024.

Hunter is currently considered the favorite, but Jeanty is not far behind. To help the cause, Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton and cornerback Pat Surtain wore t-shirts endorsing Hunter ahead of their Monday Night Football game against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 2.

The school sent the shirts, but Surtain told a reporter that Hunter doesn’t need “any help” after making a strong case to win the trophy this season.

Sutton told the Denver Post that Hunter is “not just playing both sides of the ball, but has been dominant on both sides of the ball.”

Broncos players were not alone in their support for Hunter. The Denver Nuggets have also endorsed the Heisman candidate:

Four Heisman finalists will be announced on Dec. 9 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 14.

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5 takeaways from Broncos’ crazy 41-32 win over Browns

Pat Surtain should have followed Jerry Jeudy the whole game. More takeaways from the Broncos win over the Browns:

The Denver Broncos defeated the Cleveland Browns 41-32 in a crazy Monday Night Football game in Week 13. Here are five quick takeaways following the victory.

1. Jaleel McLaughlin remains the hot hand: Javonte Williams scored a touchdown on Monday, but he ended the day with just four carries for one yard. He now has 12 carries for -1 yard over the last two weeks. McLaughlin, meanwhile, led the team with 14 carries for 84 yards against Cleveland. Denver’s backfield rotation is hard to predict on a week-to-week basis, but McLaughlin is trending up going into the bye.

2. Pat Surtain should have followed Jerry Jeudy: Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph opted to not have PS2 follow Jeudy on Monday, which was a curious decision. With Riley Moss (knee) unavailable, Levi Wallace was repeatedly torched by the Browns. Jeudy finished the day with nine receptions for 235 yards with one touchdown, but on the 34 plays that Jeudy covered him, the receiver totaled just two receptions for 20 yards. PS2 finally started following Jeudy late in the game and it appeared that Joseph also benched Wallace in favor of rookie Kris Abrams-Draine late in the contest. Both decisions should have been made sooner.

3. Courtland Sutton remains Mr. Reliable: Sutton ended the day with six receptions for 102 yards and he now has 42 receptions for 569 yards and three touchdowns over the last six weeks. He remains Denver’s best receiver and a reliable target for rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

4. That was a classic Jameis Winston game: Winston torched the Broncos’ secondary for 497 passing yards and four touchdowns … and three interceptions. It was a quintessential Winston experience. That might sound like a Browns Wire takeaway, but it’s notable for Denver, too, because future opponents might not gift interceptions at that rate. The Broncos easily could have lost Monday’s game if not for a pair of pick-sixes. Fans in Denver will hope that Moss recovers during the bye and is able to return in Week 15.

5. Nik Bonitto is a strong DPOY candidate: Bonitto is the first Broncos defender since Von Miller to record double-digit sacks and a pick-six in the same season. That’s pretty good company.

Bonitto’s 11 sacks this season rank second in the NFL, only trailing Trey Hendrickson (11.5). He’s making a strong case for Defensive Player of the Year.

The Broncos will now go into their bye week with an 8-5 record. After the bye, Denver will host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.

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