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Good morning, Broncos Country!
There are moments in life when time stands still.
When they happen, you just hope your mind’s camera is focused on capturing the right memories so that you can recall them later. We’ve all stashed away a few of those Polaroid moments that are capable of making us smile several years later.
Jeff Heuerman will have one of those moments today when he makes his NFL debut against the Cincinnati Bengals. Finally. After over a year’s wait. With the string of bad luck the Denver Broncos tight end has encountered since he was drafted, Heuerman had to wonder if this day would come.
Well, here it is. And not only will he see his dream come true, he gets to do it not far from where he played college football at Ohio State University. As the old adage goes, things happen for a reason. As Adam Malnati and I discussed on Mile High Report Radio, Heuerman is one of my player’s to watch in today’s game.
"It’s pretty cool," Heuerman told the media earlier this week. "I have a lot of people coming to the game. I’ve actually played in that stadium. We played a spring game there a couple of years ago, my sophomore or junior year spring game, and it was good."
Now that Heuerman has cleared the first hurdle by finally getting on the field, it’s time to make good on the hype. Since he was drafted, fans have heard how special he could become in this offense. With the absence of Virgil Green, the expectation is the Broncos won’t miss a beat on the offensive side of the ball.
That’s a lot for a young player to take on in a situation that is already emotional. That’s where Heurman’s teammates and coaches will play a huge role in helping to keep him level headed. After all, once you’re on the field, it’s just football. Do your job and the rest will take care of itself.
"He’s such a big guy," Broncos offensive coordinator Rick Dennison said. "He’s long; he does a lot of good things. It‘s just a matter of if he’s ready to go and where he’s fitting in, and we’re trying to work him in practice and see what we got from there.
.@JHeuerman86 hasn't played an @NFL regular-season game yet, but his time might have finally arrived.
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 22, 2016
" https://t.co/PuiYaA7ClV pic.twitter.com/yzoiMDAzpf
"We don’t want to put anybody back, so I just work with the guys and try and make sure the game plan is reviewed for everybody. If they don’t take the rep, then they see the rep anyway. We’ll just see. Obviously we like Jeff well enough to draft him pretty high; he just missed a year."
This is where confidence comes into the fold, and Heuerman has no shortage of that. He knows he can do what is asked of him while he also proves the organization was right to draft him.
"Yes, it’s about time," Heuerman said. "I do need to get in there and make some plays and help this team win on the road this weekend. I’m excited to get out there with the guys, run around and get back to playing."
What helps a young player is to know their coaches believe in them, and there’s no doubt Gary Kubiak and Dennison feel that way about Heuerman.
.@Millerlite40 earned a , @JHeuerman86 is finally feeling , and a familiar #Broncos face is #BroncosIn60https://t.co/XY5gbNfCRw
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 22, 2016
"Jeff can do a lot," Kubiak said this week. "He’s a very bright kid. He’s capable of working on the line of scrimmage; he’s capable of beating man-coverage. That’s the good thing. I think (John) Phillips has really helped him, too - his veteran presence. You just sit here and keep your fingers crossed for Jeff.
"He’s been battling his tail off to be a part of this thing. It’s going to be a big weekend for him, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed and put him to work."
The moment Heurman has waited for his entire life has finally arrived. He gets to make his NFL debut and do it not far from where he made so many other memories.
Amid the pressure that is the NFL, hopefully he takes the time to soak it all in. That his mind is able to snap as many photos as possible so he can relive this special moment for the rest of his life.
Broncos Tracks
A defensive MVP? New WR superstar? 5 NFL things to watch | New York Post
With all the games, backstories, injuries and developments in a given week in the NFL, it is tough to know what to look for on Sunday. Here are five things to watch: Potential MVP to watch No defensive player ever has won the NFL’s MVP trophy, but Von Miller might be playing his way into serious consideration.
9 points to Broncos defeating the Bengals | 9news.com
The Broncos will face the Cincinnati Bengals, who have not lost a September home game in five years, at 11 a.m. mountain time Sunday.
Troy Renck: Take 5 Broncos vs. Bengals - 7NEWS Denver TheDenverChannel.com
The Broncos have won 17 of their last 21 games, including their first two last season. Denver's challenge grows this week with their first road game at Cincinnati.
Three Keys to Broncos-Bengals
The Bengals' attack starts with the threat posed by A.J. Green, but the problems they can pose go far beyond the threat from the five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver.
NFL Week 3 Bengals vs Broncos: Top 3 player matchups to watch - Cincy Jungle
The Bengals can approach their upcoming game with the Broncos in a few different ways. To do so, they will need to make the most out of these key matchups.
Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals: Watch to watch for
It's the Broncos' first road game, the Bengals' home opener and a meeting of two AFC powers who have both made the playoffs in each of the last five seasons.
Tecmo Bowl Futures: Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals - Cincy Jungle
You can go anywhere on the web and find what the experts think the outcome of any game will be. I have my own expert. She was born in 1991 and has had my heart ever since.
Broncos QB Trevor Siemian needs to make better decisions - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPN
The Broncos understand that Trevor Siemian is still on a steep learning curve as the young quarterback learns to play in the NFL.
Trevor Siemian and the Denver Broncos offense need to let it loose on Sunday | Mile High Sports
Trevor Siemian has been fine in his first two starts, but he'll need to let it loose on Sunday if he and the Broncos plan on beating the Bengals.
Broncos notes: Phillips moves quickly from unemployed to starting tight end | 9news.com
ENGLEWOOD—On the eve of the opening of NFL training camps, John Phillips was out of a job.
Broncos players give back to Hispanic community at Broncos en Espanol
The Broncos en Espanol event offered the Hispanic community the opportunity to connect with Broncos players and visit Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Q&A with rookie Denver Broncos Cheerleader Gabriela
Get to know rookie Denver Broncos Cheerleader Gabriela.
AFC West Tracks
As Tyreek Hill emerges as a playmaker, so does dilemma for Chiefs fans | The Kansas City Star
Tyreek Hill was a controversial draft pick for the Chiefs because of his guilty plea for domestic assault and battery by strangulation of his pregnant girlfriend in 2014.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith and his receivers must get back on 'same page' | FOX Sports
Alex Smith is still pondering the misfires that plagued the Kansas City Chiefs in their loss at Houston.
Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has an interesting history against Chiefs - Kansas City Chiefs Blog- ESPN
Ryan Fitzpatrick is 2-1 as a starting QB in games against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, but he knows it's among the most difficult places to play.
Chiefs secondary giving up big size advantage to Jets receivers - Arrowhead Pride
There was a lot of talk early on in John Dorsey’s tenure in Kansas City that the Chiefs would only bring in corners that were 6’0 or taller. It turns out we were off by a couple of inches.
Ken Norton, Jr.: 'I'm accountable' for poor play of Raiders defense - Oakland Raiders Blog- ESPN
Oakland is the first team since 1970 to allow 500-plus yards to its first two opponents, but coordinator Ken Norton Jr. says the unit will rebound.
Raiders determined to turn defense around against Titans
The Oakland Raiders have allowed 1,035 yards through the first two games and the pressure is on the fix it starting with Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans.
Oakland Raiders' O-line shuffle continues due to injuries - AFC West- ESPN
Austin Howard and Matt McCants won't play Sunday when the Raiders visit the Titans, though the offensive line should get tackle Menelik Watson back.
Latavius "Angry Tay" Murray leading off Raiders top rushing attack - Silver And Black Pride
Latavius Murray has earned the perfect new nickname to lead the Raiders offensive attack.
Chargers better when Rivers isn't the hero - The San Diego Union-Tribune
Chargers offensive line is happy to take the ball out of Philip Rivers' hands
Chargers' Philip Rivers visits with 5-1 mark vs. Indianapolis Colts - NFL Nation- ESPN
Not only does Philip Rivers have a 5-1 career mark against the Colts, but the 34-year-old Chargers QB is on top of his game as he visits Sunday.
Rivers, Verrett make coaching easier - The San Diego Union-Tribune
Chargers coordinator John Pagano calls Jason Verrett the "best cornerback" in the NFL.
Should the Chargers sign Austin Seferian-Jenkins? - Bolts From The Blue
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Should the Chargers make a move to sign him?
NFL Tracks
Usain Bolt received offers to play WR in NFL - NFL.com
Usain Bolt, who won three golds for the third straight Olympics is soon to retire from international competitions and may be looking for new athletic ventures. NFL teams are interested in his services.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers and some Week 3 NFL questions, stats - NFL Nation- ESPN
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' offense have been stuck in neutral this season, but they have a chance to get in gear against Detroit.
Five matchups that will define NFL Week 3: Can Stefon Diggs lift Vikings?
Beckham-Norman rematch highlights the slate, but keep an eye on Vikings-Panthers.
NFL Week 3 Predictions: Bears Do Better, Chargers Upset Colts - WSJ
Here are the best bets for this week’s NFL games, based on a mathematical model.
NFL - Week 3 betting nuggets, lines and ATS records
ESPN Chalk's Rob Nelson is here to offer up some interesting nuggets of information for games taking place on Sunday and Monday.
The 10 best things about Sunday's Week 3 NFL games | FOX Sports
Perhaps the best is Carson Wentz going for a 3-0 start with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bounce-backs highlight Week 3 daily fantasy plays - NFL.com
Jordan Reed, Allen Robinson and Michael Floyd should bounce back in Week 3 making them sneaky daily fantasy options. Find out the rest of Matt Harmon's Week 3 plays.
NFL Week 3 injury report: Who's in and who's out | FOX Sports
Here are the injuries that will affect your favorite NFL team -- and your fantasy squad
Joe Horn Calls Roger Goodell 'The Vladimir Putin of the NFL' | Bleacher Report
I get the need to make comparisons, but this is one is too much.
Twitter’s NFL stream won’t build momentum in Week Four | ProFootballTalk
Twitter scored an impressive 34-percent increase in average viewership for its live stream of Thursday Night Football from Week Two to Week Three.
Ratings Deflategate: Why the NFL is down this season - Sep. 23, 2016
NFL viewership is down over the first two weeks of the season. What's causing the declines?
Todd Gurley sees '12 people on the field' on runs - NFL.com
Quick, someone get an optometrist, or a side judge! Todd Gurley is facing stacked boxes every time he tries to break a big run, but are defenses loading up a bit too much?
How Bill Belichick is exploiting the rule book and why the NFL has to stop it immediately | FOX Sports
Touchbacks need to go back to the 20.
ON FOOTBALL: NFL Better Served With Suspensions Than Fines? - The New York Times
Hitting millionaires with fines that barely make a dent in their wallets doesn't measure up to the dents those players are making in opponents.