Denver Broncos best Studs & Duds in 10-9 win over New York Jets

If you followed the clash between the on Sunday Denver Broncos and the New York Jets I’m hoping for high-flying offenses and an abundance of touchdowns, well, thank God.

Instead there was a tough, ugly, rain-soaked exchange that could have passed for a rugby match. But hey, when the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 10-9 in favor of the Broncos, and that’s all that matters.

Who were Denver’s biggest boys and guys at MetLife Stadium? Let’s break it down.

Javonte Williams & Jaleel McLaughlin | RB

In weather that could make Noah reconsider his life choices, the Broncos leaned heavily on their ground game. Williams and McLaughlin did the heavy lifting and ran like men desperate to avoid slipping in the mud.

Williams rushed for 77 yards on 16 carries, averaging 4.8 yards per tote. McLaughlin rushed for a solid 46 yards himself, averaging 5.1 per carry. It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective.

Courtland Sutton | WR

In a game where a pass was akin to throwing a wet bar of soap, Sutton made the only aerial play that counted. Because Bo Nix (more on him later) was having a bad day, Sutton still managed to pull off a 14-yard touchdown grab.

O-line

The O-line always struggles to get credit, but let’s take a moment to appreciate what the Broncos’ starting five did in the trenches. They paved the way for 126 rushing yards and prevented Nix from being completely wiped out, which was a good thing considering his production.

Patrick Surtain II | CB

Surtain continues to solidify his status as one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks. On a night when Aaron Rodgers had plenty of reasons to shoot downfield, Surtain made sure nothing came easy.

PS2 was locked into its tasks throughout the game, allowing virtually no separation and interrupting a key pass at a critical moment. While the Broncos’ defensive line deserves credit for harassing Rodgers, Surtain made sure the Jets’ wide receivers didn’t play a role.

Cody Barton | L.B

With linebacker Alex Singleton sidelined this year, Barton made an immediate impact, recording 10 tackles and steadying Denver’s defense.

PJ Locke | S

When the Jets gasped one last time to steal the game, Locke was having none of it. On a crucial fourth down, Locke struck like he’d been shot out of a cannon, sacking Rodgers and ending the game.

Vance Joseph | Direct current

Now let’s be honest. If one person deserves the game ball, it’s the Broncos’ defensive coordinator. It’s never easy going up against Rodgers, even an aging version of the four-time MVP, and yet Joseph has developed a game plan that makes him look normal.

The Broncos’ defense didn’t allow a single touchdown and held Rodgers to a meager 225 yards. Joseph masterfully mixed pressure and coverage, keeping Rodgers off balance throughout the night.

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Bo Nix | QB

What can we say about Nix if the statistics don’t already scream? The weather was terrible, but 60 yards on 12 completions? Even by beginner standards this is true hideous.

At the start of the game, Nix looked confused and unsettled, and at times it seemed like he was auditioning for the backup job with those throws. His 67.9 passer rating felt generous, and while he didn’t make any catastrophic errors and wasn’t sacked, his lack of execution is concerning.

Sean Payton | H.C

Payton is expected to be an offensive mastermind. Well, someone forgot to tell him that on Sunday.

The Broncos’ offensive play was about as exciting as watching paint dry. Payton had no answer to the Jets’ pressure, no clever tricks to explain the weather and seemed content to gamble on field goals in a game where such attempts were risky.

At some point you have to adapt, Coach. This wasn’t Payton’s finest hour.

Broncos Country should hold its head high. As ugly as this game was, the defense continued to play at a championship level, and while the offense seems stuck in second gear, there is room for improvement.

For now, though, let’s hope for better weather and better football next week at Empower Field for Raider Week.

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