Broncos Called ‘Legitimate AFC Contender’ After Blowout Win Over Cowboys
r, quarterback Bo Nix became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for 2 touchdowns and throw for 2 touchdowns in a single quarter.
“NFL teams had won an incredible 1,602 straight games when leading by 18+ points in the final six minutes,”
Probably the most important part of the Broncos offense that wasn’t there last year but exists this year is a rushing attack. One year after having no reliable running backs, the Broncos now find themselves with 2 in veteran free agent
Against the Cowboys, Dobbins rushed for 111 yards on 14 carries while Harvey had 46 yards and 2 touchdowns on 7 carries. Through 8 games, Dobbins leads the Broncos with 634 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns.
In 2024, current Dallas Cowboys leading rusher Javonte Williams led the Broncos with 513 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns in 17 games.
Bears’ Ben Johnson Predicted to Cut Ties With QB Caleb Williams
Getty
Quarterback Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears.
The Chicago Bears missed a golden opportunity Sunday to win their fifth consecutive game against a Baltimore Ravens team absent Lamar Jackson, and it has led to renewed criticism of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
Colin Cowherd and John Middlekauff of “The Volume” discussed Williams following the Bears’ loss in Baltimore, and in their back and forth essentially co-predicted that Chicago and head coach Ben Johnson will ultimately part ways with the former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall draft pick.
“Caleb, in my opinion, is never gonna be an accurate — consistently accurate — thrower of the football in this league,” Cowherd said. “Am I too harsh?”
“No,” Middlekauff responded. “And if he’s not, he’s not gonna work with Ben Johnson.”
Middlekauff continued, extolling the virtues of the defense and running back D’Andre Swift, while asserting that Williams isn’t even an average NFL signal-caller at this point in his career.
“[Williams] has not played well. Their team has. The running back has played well and the defense has played well. The quarterback has not,” Middlekauff said. “How many times today with Caleb, guys in the flat — even on completions — they have to stop? There’s no rhythm to his game. I think Caleb isn’t remotely a good player. Physically he’s got a lot of gifts. But in terms of playing the quarterback position, I think he’s borderline not even average. That’s a problem.”
Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson Viewed Costly 4th-Quarter Interception Differently
GettyQuarterback Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears.
Williams completed 25-of-38 passes for 285 yards and one crucial interception against the Ravens in Baltimore on Sunday.
Down 16-13 with a little more than nine minutes to play in the fourth quarter and buried deep in Bears’ territory, Williams threw a pass meant for wide receiver Rome Odunze that Ravens defensive back Nate Wiggins stepped in front of and picked off. Wiggins returned the football to Chicago’s nine-yard line and Baltimore punched in a touchdown just two plays later.
“It was a good read. Rome was man-to-man with the guy who caught the pick,” Williams said of the errant pass. “I just didn’t give a good ball to Rome.”
There seemed, however, to be something of a disconnect between the quarterback and his coach with regards to that particular play.
“In my mind,” Johnson said, “there might have been another option that we could have gotten to.”
Caleb Williams’ Passing Stats Slightly Down This Season
GettyQuarterback Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears.
That interception didn’t necessarily end Chicago’s chances of winning the game, as the Bears were able to turn a subsequent drive into a field goal that cut the lead to seven points with a little more than five minutes to play.
However, the defense was unable to get Williams and company the football back. The Ravens eventually scored another touchdown and won the contest by a score of 30-16.
Chicago hired Johnson over the offseason in the hopes of turning Williams and the offense around. However, the team is 4-3 through seven games, precisely where it was last year under Matt Eberflus after the first loss of what would become a 10-game losing streak.
Meanwhile, Williams’ completion percentage is down from 62.5 percent in 2024 to 61.9 percent this season. His interception rate is also up, as he has thrown four of them through seven games after tossing just six INTs in 17 starts last season.
Potential Replacement for Broncos CB Pat Surtain II Gets Strong Endorsement
Getty
Pat Surtain II #2 of the Denver Broncos reacts after beating the New York Jets.
The Denver Broncos will be without All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II for several weeks due to a pectoral injury suffered against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8. And while the exact timeline for Surtain’s absence remains unclear, who the Broncos decide to replace him with is paramount.
If Week 8 was any indication, the Broncos will turn to 2024 fifth-round draft pick Kris Abrams-Draine opposite Riley Moss with Ja’Quan McMillian at nickelback.
However, he is not the Broncos’ only option to replace Surtain in the lineup during his injury.
Broncos HC Sean Payton Praises Kris Abrams-Draine
GettyKris Abrams-Draine #31 of the Denver Broncos in action against the Green Bay Packers.
The Broncos selected Abrams-Draine in the fifth round, with the No. 145 overall pick of the 2024 draft. He played in five games and drew one start as a rookie, making him a relative unknown despite his second-year status.
Abrams-Draine allowed completions on all five of the targets he faced, surrendering 61 yards in total, in Surtain’s place against the Cowboys, per Pro Football Focus.
Payton still praised the youngster and Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
“I think how we played was outstanding when he wasn’t in. And look, that’s a big deal, especially when a large part of your plan is dealing with rotation and matchups, and you’re dealing with [Nos.] 3 [George Pickens] and 88 [CeeDee Lamb]. And then, all of a sudden, that one element goes away. It can be a little bit disruptive,” Payton told reporters on October 27.
“I thought Kris did a great job. The whole lot of them did when we went without Pat. And we continued to play a handful of the coverages. And yet, Vance did a good job adjusting. So, that was very encouraging.”
Abrams-Draine allowed opposing QBs to complete five of the 15 passes thrown in his direction in 2024, per PFF. So, there is a track record for the Broncos to fall back on.
Broncos’ Plans for Jahdae Barron Unclear
The Broncos have another in-house option besides Abrams-Draine, having used their first-round pick in the 2025 draft, No. 20 overall, on Jahdae Barron.
“Pat Surtain II’s injury is exactly why the Broncos drafted Jahdae Barron in the first round,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens posted on X on October 27. “They have depth at CB and will rely on it when Surtain is sidelined.”
Barron has played in all eight of the Broncos’ games this season.
He also started in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts and recorded his first career interception in Week 8 against the Cowboys, which Payton called a “big play.”
Former Defensive Player of the Year Among Outside Options
GettyStephon Gilmore #2 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before a game against the Houston Texans.
Surtain could be back as soon as Week 13 against the Washington Commanders. If the Broncos place Surtain on injured reserve, the soonest he would be eligible to return is in Week 14 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
On the longer range, Surtain would not return until Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers.
If the Broncos look for outside help, 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore is available in free agency, though he has not been with any team at all this season.
The Broncos face the Houston Texans (Week 9), the Raiders (Week 10), and the Kansas City Chiefs (Week 11) before their bye. Payton left the door open for the Broncos to explore trade options before the November 4 deadline.
Surtain’s injury could ultimately force the cornerback position onto the Broncos’ list of needs.
