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Philadelphia Eagles vs Denver Broncos: 4 causes for concern in Week 10
The 5-4 Broncos are coming off two straight wins against NFC East foes and appear supremely confident entering a matchup against the 3-6 Philadelphia Eagles.
Denver’s hoping to avoid a letdown, while Philadelphia is looking to avoid being swept by the AFC West after prior losses to the Chiefs, Chargers, and Raiders.
We’re looking at the four causes for concern this week, and Teddy Bridgewater has something in common with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Derek Carr.
The Broncos got a huge win over the Cowboys in Week 9! Here are our (mostly positive) takeaways from the game.
The Denver Broncos got a big win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, upsetting one of the NFC’s top teams on the road. Here are our seven primary takeaways from the 30-16 victory.
After bringing in Adrian Peterson, the Titans seem unlikely to trade a pick for Broncos running back Melvin Gordon, but it is possible. We’ll see!
After the Tennessee Titans lost star running back Derrick Henry to injury, some fans and pundits suggested the team should trade for Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
The Broncos have already shipped outside linebacker Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams for draft picks, so it appears Denver is in rebuild mode. The Broncos also have rookie Javonte Williams, who would be more than capable of leading the backfield if Gordon left town.
Such a trade seems unlikely, though, after Tennessee signed veteran Adrian Peterson on Tuesday. Peterson will initially join the Titans’ practice squad, but he is expected to be activated to the 53-man roster before long.
Despite his age (36), Peterson has remained productive, totaling 1,502 yards and 12 touchdowns over the last two seasons. AP could emerge as Tennessee’s primary running back, and he’s cheaper than Gordon.
To acquire Gordon, the Titans would have to give up a draft pick and then pay what’s left of his salary (around $4.6 million). Even before Tennessee signed Peterson, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Monday morning that Gordon is “unlikely” to be traded to the Titans.
There’s still time before the trade deadline (2 p.m. MT on Nov. 2), and if Tennessee makes an offer, Denver should listen. But right now, a trade doesn’t appear likely to happen.
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A look at nine RBs the Titans could target in a trade, and some others available in free agency.
The Tennessee Titans haven’t had to worry about the running back position for years now with the emergence of superstar rusher, Derrick Henry, but that all changed on Monday morning.
According to multiple reports, Henry has suffered a broken bone in his foot that will require surgery. The injury could could keep him out as little as eight weeks, or for as long as the rest of the season.
There is obviously no replacing a generational talent like Henry, who is the heart and soul of Tennessee’s offense. However, the Titans have to do their best to fill an unfillable void, which will require a significant move.
One possibility already being floated around is Adrian Peterson, who the Titans will reportedly work out. However, Peterson is 36 and it isn’t clear how much he has left in the tank, thus the Titans should explore more options.
With the NFL trade deadline coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 3p.m. CT, here’s a look at some players the Titans could trade for. We’ll also list off backs like Peterson who are available in free agency.
Denver takes down Washington, 17-10, in another game of missed opportunities for WFT’s offense.
The Denver Broncos outlasted the Washington Football Team, 17-10, on Sunday in a matchup of struggling teams.
The game was scoreless in the first quarter, and the team’s traded field goals in the second quarter. Finally, the Broncos put a touchdown on the scoreboard just before halftime.
Washington’s defense kept it in the game, until late in the third quarter when quarterback Taylor Heinicke found wide receiver DeAndre Carter for a 20-yard touchdown to tie the game. It was the perfect ending to an outstanding drive by Washington, which featured the perfect mix of running and passing.
The Broncos would answer in the fourth quarter, giving them what felt like an insurmountable 17-10 lead.
But Heinicke and the Washington offense moved the ball down the field again, with running back J.D. McKissic doing plenty of the heavy lifting. Wide receiver Dax Milne also made a key 21-yard reception on the drive.
With a first-and-10 at the Denver 11-yard line, Washington’s offense fell apart again. A three-yard pass to Antonio Gibson on first down was followed by a wide receiver screen to Terry McLaurin. The play wasn’t blocked up as the other receivers were running their routes.
Then, Heinicke was sacked on third down, followed by what was essentially a hail mary from the 20-yard line which was intercepted by Denver safety Justin Simmons.
Amazingly, instead of just taking a knee, the Broncos did some bizarre things with the football. Rookie running back Javonte Williams fumbled but the Broncos recovered. Then, Denver quarterback Teddy Bridgewater threw an incomplete pass. On third down, Broncos running back Melvin Gordon fumbled and Washington would get the ball deep in Denver territory with two timeouts remaining.
As is the norm, Washington’s offense failed in the red zone, preserving an ugly win for the Broncos.
Heinicke had some moments in the game, but he failed on Washington’s final two drives, and that’s what people will remember — and rightfully so.
The loss drops Washington to 2-6. The team is on a bye next week and then returns to FedEx Field for a Week 10 meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Cowboys.
The Denver Broncos defeated the Washington Football Team 17-10 in Week 8 of the 2021 NFL season on Sunday afternoon.
Broncos running back Melvin Gordon scored both of the Broncos’ touchdowns, a 15-yard catch in the second quarter and a seven-yard run in the fourth quarter. Gordon finished the day with 62 yards from scrimmage.
It was an ugly game, with Denver missing a field goal and Washington having two field goals blocked. Both offenses struggled to get anything going, and Peyton Manning’s halftime pass was the highlight of the day. Washington turned it over twice and Gordon lost a fumble for the Broncos that almost allowed Washington to tie it up late (they weren’t able to score).
Denver’s win was marred by a pair of injuries. Slot cornerback Bryce Callahan and left tackle Garett Bolles (ankle) both left the game with the fourth quarter. The severity of their injuries are not yet known.
The Broncos will be happy to have won on Sunday, improving to 4-4, but up next is a road contest against the Dallas Cowboys, one of the top teams in the NFC who some pundits consider a Super Bowl contender.
There aren’t many struggling opponents left on Denver’s schedule, so wins will likely be hard to come by in the coming weeks.
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The Broncos lead Washington 10-3 at halftime after a touchdown late in the second quarter.
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The Denver Broncos lead the Washington Football Team, 10-3, at halftime in Week 8 action from Empower Field at Mile High.
After a scoreless first quarter, Denver kicker Brandon McManus got the Broncos on the board first with a 45-yard field. This came after Washington kicker Chris Blewitt had a field-goal attempt blocked for the second week in a row.
Washington again moved down the field, but another drive stalled. Head coach Ron Rivera gave Blewitt another shot, and the kicker connected from 52 yards out to tie the score.
The Broncos and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater moved the ball through the air on Washington’s defense just before halftime, as Bridgewater found Melvin Gordon for a 15-yard touchdown with 1:11 remaining in the half.
Washington had a chance to respond but failed.
Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke completed 13 of 19 passes for 140 yards with one interception. The interception was on a hail-mary attempt before halftime.
Jaret Patterson leads Washington with 18 rushing yards. J.D. McKissic is Washington’s top pass-catcher with five receptions for 45 yards.
Landon Collins and James Smith-Williams each have a sack for Washington.
It was another first half of missed opportunities for Washington’s offense. Washington struggles once it gets across midfield and close to the red zone. Star wide receiver Terry McLaurin has just one reception for 17 yards in the first half.
The Broncos will receive the football to open the second half.
Wondering how the Broncos’ stars will fare against Washington? The Huddle has your fantasy projections for Sunday’s game.
In advance of Sunday’s Broncos-Jaguars game, Broncos Wire examines the matchup with fantasy football projections for Denver players courtesy of our colleagues at The Huddle.
The Washington Football Team (2-5) is on a three-game losing streak and in a three-way tie for last in the NFC East. The Denver Broncos (3-4) are trying to end their four-game slide. Home field is an advantage for the Broncos, as Washington is just 1-2 in road venues, and the return of wideout Jerry Jeudy should spark better passing for the Broncos. This matchup offers a get-right game for the Broncos, but both teams have struggled this season.
The Broncos are on a four-game losing streak, and their only wins are against the Giants, Jaguars and Jets — three teams that have combined for a total of just four wins. The Broncos played in Cleveland against a Browns team that was stripped of talent due to injury yet still lost. This week’s matchup is the best chance to win at least until Week 14, when the Lions show up.
Vic Fangio’s third season as the head coach has been impacted by injuries, but no more than most teams. This matchup needs to be a win versus a weak defense. A loss here could bring changes, because it would cast an even darker shadow on the rest of the year.
To his credit, Teddy Bridgewater has thrown for multiple touchdowns in each of the past three games, but he’s also thrown five interceptions in that time. Bridgewater is playing through a foot injury, and he hasn’t had Jeudy since Week 1. He’ll get Jeudy back for this matchup, and that can only help, particularly against a weak defense. With a difficult Week 9 game looming at Dallas, the passing game needs to get tuned up fast, and this is a great chance to get Jeudy back into the game plan.
Teddy Bridgewater projection vs. Washington
Fantasy Points: 25.5
Passing: 270 yds, 3 TD
No changes to the backfield that still treats Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams as equals. In most weeks, the two receive the same number of touches, though Williams is used for slightly more receptions. Both backs recorded their first receiving touchdown last week, but they’ve combined for only three rushing touchdowns on the season. Neither back has received more than a dozen carries over the past month, but the matchup against Washington should be the best chance for a higher volume of rushing attempts. This will be the softest rushing defense that the Broncos will face for the upcoming month.
Javonte Williams projection vs. Washington
Fantasy points: 12
Rushing: 50 yds
Receiving: 4 rec, 30 yds
Melvin Gordon III projection vs. Washington
Fantasy points: 8
Rushing: 50 yds
Receiving: 2 rec, 10 yds
As noted, Jeudy returns from his ankle injury and adds a much-needed talent bump for the receivers. Courtland Sutton is on a three-game stretch of solid performances, including 120 yards and a score on seven catches in Week 5 at the Steelers. Tim Patrick filled in for Jeudy with a few good games and one score in the past five weeks. Patrick is a capable receiver, but he doesn’t offer the same difference-making that Jeudy can produce. This week against a soft secondary, Jeudy should step back into a busy workload if he is completely healthy.
Courtland Sutton projection vs. Washington
Fantasy points: 21
Receiving: 7 rec, 80 yds, 1 TD
Jerry Jeudy projection vs. Washington
Fantasy points: 19
Receiving: 6 rec, 70 yds, 1 TD
Tim Patrick projection vs. Washington
Fantasy points: 6
Receiving: 3 rec, 30 yds
Noah Fant offers around 40 yards per game and scores in every other game. He’s been as good as 97 yards on nine catches with a score in the recent home game against the Raiders. But he’s been held to fewer than 50 yards in all other games, and he likely will see a slight reduction in workload with Jeudy back.
Noah Fant projection vs. Washington
Fantasy points: 16
Receiving: 5 rec, 50 yds, 1 TD
Here is a chance to get back on track, if only for this one week. Washington brings the No. 32-ranked defense against quarterbacks, so this will be the best situation for Bridgewater all season. The Washington defense has allowed 17 passing touchdowns over just the past five games and never fewer than 270 passing yards. Add in that Jeudy is expected to return, and Bridgewater will continue his string of multiple touchdown games.
The defense is strongest against the run, where no back has gained more than 71 yards on them, and they’ve allowed only three rushing touchdowns to opposing backs. Expect a down game from the Denver rushing duo, although Williams can prop up his fantasy production as a receiver. If the Broncos cannot take advantage of one of the worst defenses in the NFL, then there are significant problems that may not be resolved this year. Washington has allowed an NFL-high 210 points — 30 points per game on average. No team is worse.
The Broncos will have some tough decisions to make ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
With the NFL trade deadline less than a week away, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton will have some tough decisions to make in the coming days.
Paton has been a buyer thus far, acquiring two linebackers, but that was out of necessity because the team has been hit hard by injuries at the position.
If the Broncos lose again on Sunday and drop to 3-5, it wouldn’t be surprising if the team turned into sellers ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Here are four players the team should consider trading.
That was an impressive effort from Melvin Gordon!
Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to running back Melvin Gordon midway through the third quarter of “Thursday Night Football” against the Cleveland Browns.
Here’s video of the play that shows Gordon’s impressive effort to reach the end zone, courtesy of the team’s official Twitter page.
Heckuva play, @Melvingordon25‼️
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/UBslXq7PFQ
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 22, 2021
At the time of this writing, the Broncos now trail the Browns 17-7.
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