The Broncos begin their Christmas Eve night game against the Patriots by utilizing a number of themes from the season, including a concerning offensive trend.
In their Christmas Eve game against New England, the Broncos looked as good as they could have in 2023.
They deferred after winning the toss. On the opening play of the game, New England quarterback Bailey Zappe was hit by D.J. Jones, who came unblocked up the middle and forced a fumble that put the offense in position for a first-and-goal at the 6-yard line. The defense forced a turnover.
Additionally, Sean Payton’s offense failed on three rush attempts and one pass, including a fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line, as it continued to struggle in goal-to-go situations for the duration of the season.
In the first minute and forty-two seconds of action at Empower Field, all of that combined to touch on several of the season’s themes.
No surprises on game day. Denver’s list of game-day inactives contained no surprises and the team came into Sunday largely healthy.
Following his ruling out on Friday, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto (knee) led the inactives. After suffering an MCL injury on December 10, Bonitto is making a full recovery, according to head coach Sean Payton.
The remaining inactive players for Denver were defensive lineman Elijah Garcia, quarterback Ben DiNucci from the practice squad, safety JL Skinner, tight end Nate Adkins, center Alex Forsyth, and outside linebacker Thomas Incoom.
DiNucci has now been called up three times and, barring a last-minute signing by another team, will spend the next two weeks with the practice squad.
For the first time since being waived off the active roster and added to the practice squad last week, the Broncos also promoted outside linebacker Ronnie Perkins from the practice squad for kickoff.
Broncos receive assistance. When it came to the Broncos on Christmas Eve, a number of other NFL teams were in the festive mood.
Sunday’s action away from Empower Field couldn’t have gone any better in an AFC playoff picture that is jumbled.
The Texans were defeated 8-7 by Cleveland’s commanding victory, but Houston wasn’t the only AFC South team to fall short. In actuality, Jacksonville (at Tampa) and Indianapolis (against Atlanta) both suffered defeats, falling to 8-7 apiece.
For the first time since being waived off the active roster and added to the practice squad last week, the Broncos also promoted outside linebacker Ronnie Perkins from the practice squad for kickoff.
Broncos receive assistance. When it came to the Broncos on Christmas Eve, a number of other NFL teams were in the festive mood.
Sunday’s action away from Empower Field couldn’t have gone any better in an AFC playoff picture that is jumbled.
Miami and Buffalo square off in Week 18, a match that could determine the division and have ramifications for the entire playoff picture.
The Broncos, who also received assistance from Pittsburgh in the form of a victory over Cincinnati on Saturday, had a successful weekend. The unfortunate Chargers came within seconds of defeating Buffalo on Saturday night, giving Denver the best gift of them all. However, the Bills came back to win 24–22 in the closing minutes.
