Six players did not play in the Broncos’ win over the Chiefs on Sunday, including RB Blake Watson and LB Levelle Bailey.
Six members of the 53-man roster did not play in the Denver Broncos‘ big win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season.
Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson*, running back Blake Watson, linebacker Levelle Bailey, offensive tackle Frank Crum (illness), defensive lineman Matt Henningsen and defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike were inactive on Sunday.
*Wilson was inactive but still dressed as an emergency third quarterback. Jarrett Stidham, Denver’s primary backup quarterback, entered the game in the fourth quarter but did not attempt any passes. Stidham has only appeared in three games this season.
Broncos who did not play in Week 18
QB Zach Wilson (*emergency third QB)
RB Blake Watson
LB Levelle Bailey
OT Frank Crum
DL Matt Henningsen
DL Eyioma Uwazurike
Following Sunday’s win, Denver is now set to go on the road to face the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the NFL playoffs on Sunday, Jan. 12.
Three Broncos players were fined for infractions against the Chargers on ‘Thursday Night Football’ last week.
A trio of Denver Broncos players were fined for infractions against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football in Week 16.
Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper was fined $12,668 for a horse collar tackle, defensive lineman Malcolm Roach was fined $11,255 for taunting and running back Blake Watson was fined $4,463 for illegal use of his helmet, according to the Denver Post‘s Park Gabriel.
Any potential fines from the Broncos’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17 will be announced next week.
Roach ($36,579) has been the team’s most-fined player this season, followed by safety Brandon Jones ($28,138), safety P.J. Locke ($27,944), pass rusher Nik Bonitto ($17,582), Cooper ($12,668), cornerback Pat Surtain ($11,255), fullback Mike Burton ($7,653), center Luke Wattenberg ($5,872), tight end Lucas Krull ($5,083), Watson ($4,463) and safety Devon Key ($4,417).
The money the league receives from fines is “donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation to support Legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels,” per the NFL.
The Broncos held out eight players against the Bengals on Saturday, including RB Blake Watson.
Eight members of the 53-man roster did not play in the Denver Broncos‘ 30-24 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season.
Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson*, wide receiver David Sills, running back Blake Watson, linebacker Levelle Bailey, offensive tackle Frank Crum and defensive linemen Matt Henningsen and Eyioma Uwazurike were inactive on Saturday.
*Wilson was inactive but still dressed as an emergency third quarterback. Jarrett Stidham, Denver’s primary backup quarterback, also did not play as Bo Nix took every snap on offense, giving the Broncos eight total players who did not see the field. Stidham has only appeared in two games this season.
Broncos who did not play in Week 17
QB Zach Wilson (*emergency third QB)
WR David Sills
RB Blake Watson
LB Levelle Bailey
OT Frank Crum
DL Matt Henningsen
DL Eyioma Uwazurike
QB Jarrett Stidham (active)
Following Saturday’s loss, the Broncos are now set to host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18. Denver can clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs with a loss or tie next week.
Denver will play eight home games at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium this year and nine games on the road. Because the league has an unbalanced 17-game schedule, the NFC and AFC rotate between having an extra home game. This year, the NFC gets a ninth home game.
The Broncos are led by head coach Sean Payton with rookie Bo Nix serving as their starting quarterback this fall.
The Broncos have not returned to the playoffs since their Super Bowl-winning season in 2015. Now entering his second season on the job, Payton will aim to snap the club’s eight-year playoff drought this fall.
Broncos CB Riley Moss (knee) is poised to return to the lineup against the Bengals today.
Denver Broncos second-year cornerback Riley Moss went down with a knee injury against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12 and he did not play in the team’s last three games. Here are the latest updates on Moss’ MCL status going into Week 17.
Riley Moss injury update
Moss fully participated in all three days of practice this week and he has no injury designation going into Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. “He’s doing good,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said after Thursday’s practice. “He’ll be ready to go.”
How long will Riley Moss be out?
Moss is poised to return for Saturday’s game against the Bengals. “He’s got an awfully competitive juice,” Payton said. “I would say you definitely felt his absence. Not just physically as a player, but also his presence.” Moss is expected to be back in the lineup against Cincy.
Broncos cornerback depth chart
Kris Abrams-Draine filled in for Moss over the last two games with Damarri Mathis getting rotational snaps. Moss is now poised to start across from Pat Surtain against the Bengals with Ja’Quan McMillian playing in the slot. Abrams-Draine and Mathis will provide depth, and special teams ace Tremon Smith rounds out the cornerback room.
Going into Week 17, the Broncos have a -1.1 Football Power Index (FPI) rating from ESPN, which ranks 20th in the NFL.
Sixteen weeks into the season, the Denver Broncos (9-6) have a -1.1 Football Power Index (FPI) rating from ESPN, which ranks 20th in the NFL.
The Cincinnati Bengals (7-8), who will host the Broncos in Week 17, are ranked 15th with a 0.3 FPI rating.
FPI is “a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season,” according to ESPN.com. “FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 10,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule.”
So with that background in mind, here’s a look at how the league’s 32 teams stack up based on FPI going into Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season.
Detroit Lions (13-2): 8.6
Green Bay Packers (11-4): 7.2
Baltimore Ravens (10-5): 6.9
Buffalo Bills (12-3): 6.6
Philadelphia Eagles (12-3): 4.7
Kansas City Chiefs (14-1): 4.0
Minnesota Vikings (13-2): 3.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7): 2.4
San Francisco 49ers (6-9): 2.3
Houston Texans (9-6): 1.1
Washington Commanders (10-5): 1.0
Los Angeles Rams (9-6): 1.0
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5): 0.9
Miami Dolphins (7-8): 0.7
Cincinnati Bengals (7-8): 0.3
Los Angeles Chargers (9-6): 0.2
Arizona Cardinals (7-8): 0.1
New York Jets (4-11): -0.6
Seattle Seahawks (8-7): -0.9
Denver Broncos (9-6): -1.1
Atlanta Falcons (8-7): -1.6
Chicago Bears (4-11): -1.9
Cleveland Browns (3-12): -2.0
Tennessee Titans (3-12): -2.1
Indianapolis Colts (7-8): -2.7
Las Vegas Raiders (3-12): -3.5
New England Patriots (3-12): -4.2
Dallas Cowboys (7-8): -4.7
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12): -6.5
New Orleans Saints (5-10): -7.5
New York Giants (2-13): -8.7
Carolina Panthers (4-11): -9.2
The Broncos will aim to improve their rating when they face the Bengals on Saturday. Denver’s current ranking is unchanged from last week.
Based on grades from PFF, here are the best and worst players from the Packers’ Week 16 over the Saints.
The Green Bay Packers earned their best overall grade of the 2024 season at Pro Football Focus during Monday night’s 34-0 win over the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field.
Matt LaFleur’s team was powered by a dominant run game led by Josh Jacobs and suffocating pass-rush led by Rashan Gary. The Packers led 21-0 at halftime and the Saints — who were down several key contributors — never threatened a comeback attempt.
Based on grades from Pro Football Focus, here are the best and worst players from the Packers’ Week 16 win over the Saints:
Jacobs forced four missed tackles, produced two runs over 10 yards, gained five first downs or touchdowns and caught all four of his targets out of the backfield. Wilson had one run over 10 yards and two broken tackles. Tom didn’t allow a pressure over 28 pass-blocking snaps and was the team’s high-rated run blocker. Reed caught three passes, including a contested catch, and averaged over 3.0 yards per route run. Brooks forced four missed tackles on only six carries, caught one pass and earned a terrific pass-blocking grade.
Top 5 defense
1. DE Rashan Gary: 90.6
2. DE Brenton Cox: 88.7
3. S Zayne Anderson: 85.2
4. LB Edgerrin Cooper: 81.2
5. CB Eric Stokes: 80.6
Gary played only 23 snaps but produced six hurries on 18 pass-rushing snaps. Cox had five pressures (including a sack and QB hit) on only 17 pass-rushing snaps, and he added a run stop. Anderson intercepted a pass, nearly intercepted a second pass and didn’t give up a completion in coverage. Cooper delivered a team-high four stops and allowed only 14 yards against his coverage. Stokes gave up just one catch on three targets for four yards in coverage.
Bottom5 offense
1. TE John FitzPatrick: 53.6
2. WR Bo Melton: 56.7
3. WR Christian Watson: 57.9
4. TE Ben Sims: 58.0
5. C Josh Myers: 62.3
FitzPatrick played 19 run-blocking snaps but earned only an average blocking grade. Melton had one run for 14 yards but was only average as a blocker. Watson carried twice for 23 yards but was only targeted once in the passing game. Sims was average as a blocker. Myers gave up two pressures and was only OK as a run blocker.
Bottom 5 defense
1. DL TJ Slaton: 35.5
2. DL Colby Wooden: 40.0
3. DE Kingsley Enagbare: 49.9
4. DL Karl Brooks: 50.1
5. LB Eric Wilson: 51.6
Slaton, Wooden and Brooks all earned poor run defense grades. Enagbare had two pressures on 16 pass-rushing snaps but earned only an average grade overall. Wilson missed two tackles and gave up two completions for 29 yards in coverage.
Special teams
Edgerrin Cooper delivered two more special teams tackles and earned an elite grade. Chris Brooks, Bo Melton, Arron Mosby and Brandon McManus all had tackles, and Melton missed a tackle. Lukas Van Ness and Kingsley Enagbare had a penalty. McManus made two field goals over 45 yards, including a season-long 55 yarder.
Quarterback play
Jordan Love: 68.7
Love was excellent from clean pockets, completing 13 of 18 passes for 170 yards (72.7 completion percentage, 9.4 yards per attempt) when not pressured. He threw his lone touchdown pass under pressure. Love completed only 1-of-4 passes thrown over 20 yards in the air. He had one “big time throw” on a 37-yarder to Jayden Reed and zero “turnover worthy plays.” Two of his passes were batted down, and three were thrown away. Love wasn’t sacked despite being under pressure on 10 dropbacks.
Stat to know
Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler was under pressure on 20 of his 38 dropbacks, good for a pressure percentage of 52.6. The Packers were credited with 30 total pressures, including at least three pressures from five different players — six from Rashan Gary, five from Brenton Cox, four from Lukas Van Ness, three from Devonte Wyatt and three from Karl Brooks. The pass rush has come alive over the last two games.
Following their loss on ‘Thursday Night Football,’ the Broncos dropped five spots in NFL power rankings this week.
Coming off a 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, the Denver Broncos are now ranked No. 15 in Nate Davis’ latest NFL power rankings for USA TODAY Sports. That’s down five spots from the team’s No. 10 ranking last week.
Here is Davis’ commentary on Denver going into Week 17:
However if they lapse at Cincinnati on Saturday – and Denver’s résumé overfloweth with victories against lightweights – then, with no wild-card berth yet secured, the pucker factor will go up significantly heading into Week 18.
Elsewhere in the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs are ranked No. 3, the Chargers are ranked No. 12 and the Las Vegas Raiders are ranked No. 27.
The Buffalo Bills are ranked No. 1 and the New York Giants are ranked No. 32 (last). To view the complete NFL power rankings going into Week 17, visit USATODAY.com.
Packers 34, Saints 0: Here’s what went right, what went wrong and what it means for the Packers moving forward.
For the second straight week in primetime, the Green Bay Packers started fast, led big in the first half, overcame a little lull in the second half and cruised to a comfortable win — this time a 34-0 final over the shorthanded New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field on Monday night.
The Packers went over 30 points for the fifth straight game and secured the NFL’s first shutout of the 2024 season.
Matt LaFleur’s team opened up a 21-0 lead after scoring touchdowns on three consecutive possessions to open the game, and Jeff Hafley’s defense produced two takeaways and seven other stops in a dominant performance against a Saints team missing their top quarterback, running back and receiver.
The Packers are 11-4 and have clinched a playoff berth.
Here’s what went right, what went wrong and what it means for the Packers moving forward:
What went right
— The Packers took the opening kickoff, drove 63 yards in 10 plays and scored a touchdown — using four completions from Jordan Love and 40 total yards from Josh Jacobs to go up 7-0 early. The offense has been setting the tone early in games.
— The Packers defense gave up under 200 yards, had three sacks and produced two turnovers. The Saints never entered the red zone, and both takeaways came with the Saints inside the 30-yard line. Devonte Wyatt’s sack late in the first half took away another scoring opportunity.
— Running back Josh Jacobs turned 17 touches into 107 total yards and a touchdown. He ripped off a 20-yard run on the opening drive to set up a touchdown, caught four passes for 38 yards and once again scored from inside the 5-yard line.
— Brenton Cox Jr. had a sack, two quarterback hits and a team-high six total pressures (per Next Gen Stats). He was disruptive all night. So was Lukas Van Ness, Rashan Gary and Devonte Wyatt. The pass-rush had rookie Spencer Rattler under pressure on 52.6 percent of dropbacks. The emergence of Cox and Van Ness is especially encouraging for the present and future of the pass-rush.
— Tucker Kraft and Jayden Reed both had a pair of catches gaining 30 or more yards.
— Brandon McManus made a season-long field of 55 yards, hit from 46 with ease and connected on all four extra points. He had no issues on a December night at Lambeau Field.
— The Packers rushed for 188 yards, didn’t give up a sack and mostly dominated the line of scrimmage. Nine different players had a rushing attempt. Jacobs ran hard early, Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks combined for 75 rushing yards and two scores, and receivers Christian Watson, Bo Melton and Jayden Reed added 42 rushing yards. The Packers are a dynamic and versatile rushing team.
— Tucker Kraft and Jordan Love both converted first downs on sneaks. The Packers are now 3-for-3 when Kraft does the sneak.
— The Packers were 3-for-3 on fourth down. The Saints were 0-for 2. The Packers also scored four touchdowns on four red zone trips.
— Zayne Anderson logged his first career interception during his first career start.
What went wrong
— Jordan Love went through a rough patch to start the second half. He completed only two of his first seven passes for six yards coming out of the break, but he did hit Jayden Reed for a big third-down conversion in the fourth quarter.
— Christian Watson left with a knee injury. The Packers will be holding their breath waiting for results this week. He’s been a key part of the offense’s breakout since the bye.
— The Packers had a pair of penalties on special teams, including one that backed up the second drive inside the 10-yard line and another (a tripping penalty on Lukas Van Ness) that turned into a 26-yard penalty after a poor punt from Daniel Whelan.
— The Packers also had a pair of penalties handing the Saints a first down. Brenton Cox Jr. was called for a questionable roughing the passer penalty, and Kingsley Enagbare had a hand to the face penalty on third down. Colby Wooden was flagged for unnecessary roughness following a fourth down stop.
What it means
The Packers are playoff bound, officially. Matt LaFleur’s team is now 11-4 and has a legitimate opportunity to get to 13 wins. While the NFC North title is no longer a possibility, the Packers can get as high as the fifth seed — which would mean playing either the NFC West or NFC South winner on the road to open the postseason. More than anything, the Packers look like they are playing their best football as January approaches. Green Bay is 5-1 since the bye and now ranks in the top 10 in both scoring offense (No. 7) and scoring defense (No. 6). This is a complete, well-balanced football team with the postseason nearing.
Highlights
What’s next
Going on the road to play the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on a short week this Sunday. The game — which was flexed to 3:25 p.m. CT — will determine if the Packers have a shot at getting the No. 5 seed. The Vikings have won eight straight games and are 13-2, in contention for the NFC North and fighting to be the No. 1 seed.
Going into Week 17, the Detroit Lions remain the team to beat in the NFL.
Following their 34-17 win over the Chicago Bears (4-11) on Sunday, the Detroit Lions (13-2) remain the team to beat in the NFL. Yes, even above the Kansas City Chiefs (14-1).
Kansas City has a better record, but they’ve had several fluky results this year and if they meet Detroit in the Super Bowl, the Lions should be considered the favorite. There’s no guarantee that the Chiefs will reach the title game, though, because the Buffalo Bills (12-3) and Baltimore Ravens (10-5) could stand in their way in the postseason.
Even the Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) and Denver Broncos (9-6) could be capable of tripping up KC in the playoffs. The Lions, meanwhile, are clearly the top contender in the NFC.
The Detroit Lions have the most wins in a season in franchise history
