Tag: things to watch

Broncos vs. Falcons: 5 things to watch for in Week 11

The Denver Broncos are set to host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Here are five storylines to watch for in Week 11.

The Denver Broncos (5-5) are set to host the Atlanta Falcons (6-4) in Week 11 of the 2024 NFL season on Sunday afternoon. Here’s a quick list of five storylines to keep an eye on this week.

1. Justin Simmons returns to Denver: Simmons, of course, spent the first eight years of his career with the Broncos before being cut and joining the Falcons this offseason. He expects to hear some boos when he returns to Empower Field at Mile High, but fans in Denver will likely greet him with a warm welcome instead.

2. Denver’s defense vs. Kirk Cousins and Co.: Vance Joseph’s unit ranks fifth in total yards allowed per game (295.7), third in points allowed (17.7) and second in sacks (35) this season. This week, Denver’s defense will face a Falcons offense that ranks fifth in total yards per game (375.1) and fourth in passing yards (250.4). Atlanta’s 124.7 rushing yards per contest rank 12th as Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier have proven to be a dynamic backfield duo. 

3. Broncos running back rotation: Last week, rookie Audric Estime appeared to take over as the team’s new lead running back. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi downplayed that on Thursday by saying the team was riding the “hot hand.” Denver head coach Sean Payton seems to be a big fan of Estime, though, so we expect him to continue leading the way on carries. Javonte Williams will likely remain the RB in passing situations because he is the best blocking and receiving back on the team, and Jaleel McLaughlin will continue to offer a chance-of-pace option. 

4. Alex Forsyth’s field goal protection: The entire kicking unit will be scrutinized this week after a blocked field goal cost the Broncos a win against the Kansas City Chiefs last week. Nobody will be watched more closely than lineman Alex Forsyth, who was culpable for the block in Kansas City. Denver special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica seems confident it won’t happen again.

5. Bo Nix vs. Falcons’ defense: Atlanta has a talented secondary that includes Simmons, but they struggle to get after quarterbacks. The Falcons have a league-low nine sacks this season and they have allowed the ninth-most passing yards per game (223.4) this fall. The stats suggest that Sunday could be a big game for Nix. Coming off a strong performance against the Chiefs, Nix will look to continue making strides against Atlanta. 

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on Fox (view the TV map). Playing at home, the Broncos are considered slight favorites in Week 11.

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Broncos vs. Chiefs: 5 things to watch for on Sunday

Here are five things to watch for when the Chiefs host the Broncos on Sunday.

After facing the Baltimore Ravens on the road last week, the Denver Broncos are now set to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on the road this week.

The Broncos lost to the Ravens 41-10 and coach Sean Payton must now attempt to stop the bleeding before going up against a division rival.

“Listen there’s a little bit of UFC to our league,” Payton said this week.
“You’ve got to be able to, each week, I don’t care who you’re playing, if you’re not careful you can catch one on the chin. You’ve got to get back up and you’ve got to get back to work.

“That gets back to that mental toughness, the grit, all the things that we’re looking for. Not only in our players, but our coaches and everyone. You get excited to play the next game to hopefully get the taste out of your mouth.”

With the team looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat in Baltimore, here are five storylines to watch for ahead of the Denver vs. KC matchup.

1. Weekend roster moves: The Broncos have seven players set to return to the 53-man roster in the coming weeks, and they’ll have to make some cuts to make room for the returning plays. Denver has one open spot on the active roster after trading pass rusher Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals, but the team will probably need to create at least one more opening this weekend. Center Luke Wattenberg and linebacker Kwon Alexander seem to be likely candidates to get activated to the 53-man roster on Saturday.

2. Denver’s center decision: With Wattenberg expected to return, the Broncos will need to make a decision at center. Wattenberg started the first five games of the season before landing on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Alex Forsyth started the last four games while Wattenberg was on IR. Will the team now stick with Forysth or go back to Wattenberg?

3. Broncos backfield rotation: The Chiefs allow just 83.9 rushing yards per game, third-fewest in the NFL this season. That will be a tough test for starter Javonte Williams and change-of-pace back Jaleel McLaughlin. Payton also hinted this week that rookie Audric Estime could be more involved in the second half of the season.

4. Pat Surtain vs. DeAndre Hopkins: It didn’t take long for “Nuk” to get on the same page with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In his second game after being acquired from the Tennessee Titans via trade, Hopkins hauled in eight receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns in Week 9. Hopkins is still a formidable receiver, especially in the red zone. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Surtain follow Hopkins on Sunday.

5. Bo Nix connecting on deep throws: Despite playing with Troy Franklin in college, Nix has struggled to connect on deep throws to Franklin this season. Facing a Chiefs secondary that ranks near the middle of the pack, Nix will undoubtedly aim to get on the same page with Franklin this week. Going up a stingy run defense, Nix will need to step up for Denver’s offense to have success on the road.

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (view the TV map). Playing at home, KC is considered a heavy favorite against the Broncos.

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Broncos vs. Ravens: 5 things to watch for on Sunday

Here are five storylines to watch for when the Ravens host the Broncos on Sunday.

The Baltimore Ravens (5-3) are set to host the Denver Broncos (5-3) in Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season on Sunday afternoon. Here are five storylines to keep an eye on going into the AFC showdown.

1. Final injury report: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (back/knee) did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, and Broncos safety P.J. Locke (thumb) and right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) are also sidelined. If Jackson can’t play, Josh Johnson would be the next man up for Baltimore. Devon Key is Locke’s backup and Alex Palczewski is McGlinchey’s backup. The final injury reports for both teams will be released on Friday.

2. Denver’s defense vs. Derrick Henry: Historically, Henry has not had as much success against the Broncos as other teams. In four career games against Denver, Henry has 77 carries for 239 yards (a modest 3.10 yards per carry average) and no touchdowns. The Broncos have never faced Henry in this Ravens offense, however, and the star running back is on pace for the second 2,000-yard season of his career.

3. Last game before the trade deadline: The NFL’s trade deadline is Tuesday and it’s possible that Sunday could mark the final time a player suits up for the Broncos. One player in particular to keep an eye on is pass rusher Baron Browning, who has been frequently mentioned as a trade candidate in recent weeks.

4. Containing Lamar Jackson: If he does play, Jackson will be one of the toughest tests Denver’s defense faces this season. Jackson has completed 66.9% of his passes for 2,099 yards with 17 touchdowns against just two interceptions this fall. The two-time NFL MVP also has 501 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. The Broncos’ defense will need to keep him in the pocket and count on the secondary to win their matchups in coverage.

5. Bo Nix vs. Ravens secondary: Coming off the best game of his career, Nix will face a Baltimore defense that has allowed 291.4 passing yards per game, most in the NFL. Nix downplayed that stat this week by noting that the Ravens build leads and force teams to throw against them, but he didn’t mention the fact that teams have been able to throw against Baltimore. On paper, this is a good matchup for Nix, and the offense will need to count on him as the Ravens allow a league-low 69.9 rushing yards per game. If the Broncos are going to get an upset win on the road, Nix will need to have a big day.

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (TV broadcast map). Playing on the road, Denver is considered a big underdog in Week 9.

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5 things to watch for when Broncos face Buccaneers in Week 3

Here are five things to watch for when the Broncos face the Buccaneers in Week 3.

The Denver Broncos (0-2) are set to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season. Here are five things to keep an eye on during Sunday’s game.

1. Denver’s new right tackle: After losing Mike McGlinchey to a knee injury, the Broncos will start Alex Palczewski at right tackle. “Palcho” will be making the first start of his NFL career after filling in for an injured McGlinchey for two snaps last week.

2. Other lineup changes: Denver coach Sean Payton hinted this week that we could see personnel changes against the Bucs. Payton did not say where the changes would be made, but all of the team’s skill players (wide receivers, tight ends and running backs) have underwhelmed through the first two games of the season.

3. Establishing a ground game: Javonte Williams and Co. have struggled to find success on the ground through the first two games of the season. This week, the Broncos will face a Bucs defense that has allowed 277 rushing yards (14th-most). Denver needs to get its rushing attack back on track.

4. Pat Surtain vs. Mike Evans: Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain is expected to follow Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans on Sunday, an elite-on-elite matchup. The Bucs also have Chris Godwin, but he usually plays in the slot, so he’ll likely be matched up against Ja’Quan McMillian.

5. Bo Nix’s quest for improvement: Nix took small steps forward in his second game, but he has yet to throw his first touchdown pass in the NFL. After throwing two interceptions in each of his first two games, can Nix protect the ball and find the end zone on Sunday?

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5 things to watch for when Broncos host Steelers in Week 2

Here’s what we’ll be watching for when the Broncos host the Steelers on Sunday.

The Denver Broncos (0-1) are set to host the Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season this weekend. Here’s a quick list of five things we’ll be watching for on Sunday afternoon.

1. Russell Wilson’s status: Wilson (calf) sat out Pittsburgh’s season opener and Justin Fields helped the Steelers defeat the Atlanta Falcons 18-10. Wilson has been limited at practice this week and Fields appears to be the favorite to start again in Week 2, but Wilson would undoubtedly like an opportunity to prove a point against his former team. It remains to be seen if Wilson will be cleared to play.

2. Denver’s wide receiver rotation: Devaughn Vele was the team’s No. 3 receiver last week behind Courtland Sutton and Josh Reynolds, but the rookie now has a rib injury. That could lead to more work for Marvin Mims — who played just 12 snaps on offense last week — and Troy Franklin, who was a healthy scratch in Week 1.

3. Kristian Welch’s snaps on defense: Welch ate into Cody Barton’s snaps in the team’s season opener. While Alex Singleton played all 67 snaps on defense, Barton got 24 snaps on defense and Welch got 19 snaps despite joining the team just a few days earlier. It will be interesting to see if Welch gets even more work this week now that he has had more practice in Vance Joseph’s defense.

4. Broncos’ rushing attack: Javonte Williams averaged 2.9 yards per carry last week and Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 2.7 yards per tote. That’s not going to cut it, which coach Sean Payton made clear this week. After placing Audric Estime on injured reserve this week, Denver seems likely to utilize Blake Watson as RB3 on Sunday after the rookie was inactive in Week 1.

5. Bo Nix bouncing back: There’s no denying that Nix struggled in his NFL debut, as rookie quarterbacks often do. Now it’s time to see how Nix responds. Can he bounce back in his second NFL start, and will he push the ball down the field more than he did in his debut? We’ll find out Sunday.

Denver’s game against the Steelers will be regionally televised on CBS. The Broncos are considered a betting underdog despite playing at home.

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10 things to watch for when Broncos face Seahawks in Week 1

Bo Nix will make his first NFL start against the Seahawks on Sunday. Here are 10 things to watch for when the Broncos travel to Seattle.

The Denver Broncos are set to go on the road to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Going into the weekend, here’s a quick look at ten things to watch for on Sunday.

1. NFL’s new kickoff format: The league has switched to a new XFL-style kickoff format this year and the Broncos believe they will benefit from it. We’ll see if Marvin Mims can take advantage of more opportunities to return.

2. Season-opening roster construction: Denver can elevate two players from the practice squad to the game-day roster each week. It seems like a fairly safe guess that wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey and fullback Michael Burton will be the top candidates to be elevated in Week 1. That could lead to rookie Troy Franklin being a healthy scratch.

3. Luke Wattenberg at center: After losing Lloyd Cushenberry during free agency, the Broncos have replaced him in the starting lineup with Wattenberg. The four other starting linemen are all returning from 2023. Denver will hope Wattenberg is not a weak link as the only new starter.

4. It’s now or never for Greg Dulcich: He’s finally healthy, so can the tight end utilize his speed to make a big impact in Sean Payton’s offense?

5. A lighter Javonte Williams: The running back lost 11 pounds this offseason and Payton has said he looks like “a completely different player.” Sure, that could be coach speak, but Williams is now two years removed from his 2022 knee injury. Perhaps we’ll see a rejuvenated RB in 2024.

6. New-look defensive line: The Broncos signed Malcolm Roach during free agency, then they acquired John Franklin-Myers in a trade with the New York Jets. JFM and Roach joined a d-line rotation that already featured Zach Allen and D.J. Jones. Denver also has Eyioma Uwazurike returning from last year’s gambling suspension, and the team has been impressed with Jordan Jackson. The defensive line could be one of the Broncos’ big strengths in 2024.

7. Cody Barton replacing Josey Jewell: Denver lost Jewell in free agency and replaced him with Barton, who has started 24 games over the last two seasons. Will there be a noticeable difference at ILB?

8. Riley Moss at cornerback: Moss was never able to get going on defense as a rookie after undergoing core muscle surgery last summer. Now healthy entering Year 2, Moss is set to start across from Pat Surtain at cornerback. Let’s see what he can do.

9. Replacing Justin Simmons at safety: After moving on from both Simmons and Caden Sterns this offseason, the Broncos are poised to start free agent addition Brandon Jones and P.J. Locke at safety. There’s obviously going to be a drop-off going from one of the NFL’s best safeties to players with no career accolades, but can Jones and Locke hold their own?

10. Bo Nix makes his NFL debut: Nix is set to become the team’s 14th starting quarterback in the post-Peyton Manning era. Nix will also become Denver’s first rookie quarterback since John Elway to start in Week 1. No pressure, rookie.

After facing the Seahawks, the Broncos will return home to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2. First things first, Seattle’s on deck.

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5 things to watch for in Broncos’ preseason finale

Here are five things to watch for when the Broncos host the Cardinals in their preseason finale.

The Denver Broncos are set to host the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason finale on Sunday afternoon. Here are five things we’ll be watching for as Denver closes out preseason.

1. Zach Wilson vs. Jarrett Stidham: Bo Nix is the starter, now who will be his backup? If the Broncos only carry two QBs, Sunday’s game could play an important role in the decision.

2. Battle for last WR spots: Jalen Virgil Brandon Johnson,  Lil’Jordan Humphrey, David Sills and Michael Bandy have all impressed at times this summer. How many — if any? — of them will make the team? Sunday is one last chance to stand out.

3. Backup offensive linemen: Assuming Luke Wattenberg has the center job secured, the starting lineup on the o-line is set. The backup spots are still up for grabs. Calvin Throckmorton, Nick Gargiulo, Will Sherman and Oliver Jervis are among the contenders at guard. Matt Peart, Alex Palczewski and Frank Crum are fighting for backup spots at tackle.

4. Penalties: Denver committed 13 fouls for 120 yards last week, something coach Sean Payton said he wanted to get cleaned up. We’ll see if the backups can play a clean game.

5. Damarri Mathis: Technically, Mathis has been competing for a starting spot this summer, but we have him on the roster bubble. If he impresses in the Broncos’ preseason finale, Mathis can secure a spot.

After wrapping up preseason, Denver will begin finalizing a 53-man roster. We will track all of the team’s roster cuts on Broncos Wire.

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10 things to watch for in the Broncos’ first preseason game

Here are 10 things to watch for when the Broncos face the Colts in their preseason opener on Sunday.

The Denver Broncos are set to face the Indianapolis Colts in their preseason opener on Sunday. Here are 10 things we’ll be watching for in the matchup.

1. The new kickoff format: The NFL switched to an XFL-style kickoff format this offseason. The Broncos believe they will benefit from the change, so it will be intriguing to see it in action. Denver coach Sean Payton has said the team will feature two returners, and we’ll be tracking who besides Marvin Mims could be a good return candidate in 2024.

2. Eyioma Uwazurike’s status: The defensive lineman’s gambling suspension was lifted on Monday, but it’s unclear if he will play in the team’s first preseason game. The Broncos might want to give him more time to get up to speed at practice before jumping into a live game.

3. The punter competition: Denver’s first depth chart of 2024 lists Riley Dixon “OR” Trenton Gill at punter, signaling that the punter competition is genuine. May the best leg win.

4. Luke Wattenberg (and others) at center: After losing Lloyd Cushenberry during free agency, the Broncos seem to favor Wattenberg in the center competition, at least at the moment. Alex Forsyth appears to be his main competition, and we’ll be watching how they perform in games.

5. The inside linebacker battle: Josey Jewell also left in free agency and Cody Barton and Jonas Griffith are the main contenders to replace him. Whoever performs better in preseason will start next to Alex Singleton in Week 1.

6. The wide receiver rotation: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin and Josh Reynolds are likely locks at receiver and the Broncos only carried four WRs on their initial 53-man roster last year. Denver will likely carry at least five WRs in 2024, but that still leaves a large group of players including Tim Patrick, Devaughn Vele, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Brandon Johnson and Jalen Virgil competing for one spot. Quite the backlog.

7. The cornerback competition: Going into preseason, the depth chart lists Damarri Mathis “OR” Riley Moss as the No. 2 cornerback across from Pat Surtain. Levi Wallace has also been mixed in with the starters at training camp, but he seems unlikely to play Sunday after tweaking his hamstring last Saturday.

8. The running back rotation: Javonte Williams remains the RB1 (and he looks great this summer), but there’s a lot of uncertainty behind him. Jaleel McLaughlin is seemingly safe and the team just used a fifth-round pick on Audric Estime, so he’s probably safe, too. If the Broncos carry four RBs, that would leave third-down specialist Samaje Perine, undrafted gem Blake Watson and Tyler Badie competing for the final spot.

9. Bo Nix making his NFL debut: Nix will be the story of the game for fans in Denver. After picking him 12th overall in April’s draft, the Broncos will give Nix his first NFL action on Sunday. Let it rip, rook.

10. The overall quarterback battle: Nix will be the most intriguing storyline, but Jarrett Stidham is also competing for the starting job and Zach Wilson is attempting to revive his NFL career. Denver’s quarterback competition will ultimately be decided during preseason.

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Colts vs. Texans: 5 things to watch in Week 18

Here are five things to watch in the regular season finale.

The Indianapolis Colts are in a win-and-in situation for the playoffs as they are set to host the Houston Texans on Saturday night.

The winner of this contest not only will make the postseason but if the Tennessee Titans are able to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, the winning team will also win the AFC South.

If the Colts do beat the Texans on Saturday night then it will be the first time they have swept Houston and Tennessee in the same season since 2014. Which happens to be the last time Indy won the AFC South.

With a chance to clinch a playoff berth with a possible home playoff game makes the stakes even higher for both franchises. Here are five things to watch for when they faceoff in Lucas Oil Stadium in prime time:

Colts vs. Raiders: 5 things to watch in Week 17

Here are five things to watch entering the Week 17 matchup between the Colts and Raiders.

The Indianapolis Colts are heading into Week 17 as the No. 7 seed in the AFC playoff picture. They will be facing a Las Vegas Raiders team that has put themselves back in the playoff hunt with their two-game winning streak they are riding into this matchup.

These two franchises have played each other seven times since 2013 with the Colts winning four of the meetings. But the last time Indianapolis beat the Raiders at home came on Sept. 8, 2013.

This is basically a win-or-go-home contest for both teams because a loss this Sunday would significantly hurt their chances of cracking into the postseason in Week 18.

Here are five things to watch for when they kickoff in Lucas Oil Stadium this weekend: