Don’t look now but the Denver Broncos are on a two-game winning streak.
On the MHR Radio Podcast (Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify), with the amount of losing that Broncos Country has endured the last three seasons, this is damn nice. The 16-0 win over the Tennessee Titans (2-4) on Sunday was far from pretty, but the Broncos (2-4) don’t get anything extra for beauty points. As cliche as it is, all that matters is the victory.
Per the usual, I’m bound to forget someone, so please mention them in the comments.
Winners
Champ Bailey
Denver’s Hall of Fame cornerback became the 33rd member of the Ring of Fame on Sunday. And how fitting the Broncos defense showed up as they did against Tennessee.
Denver’s defense
That was an old-school, dominating, ass kicking by the Broncos defense. Denver had three interceptions, seven sacks, 10 quarterback hits and a shutout. It’s the first time the Broncos held an opposing team scoreless since Dec. 10, 2017, in the 23-0 win over the New York Jets. Denver also held Derrick Henry to 28 yards on 15 carries and Tennessee to 21 carries for 39 yards. That’s two weeks in a row Denver dominated on run defense. The Broncos defense had a day — a helluva day.
Alexander Johnson
Not only have the Broncos found their way to a two-game winning streak, they have found an answer at middle linebacker. Holy smokes, what a game by Johnson. For the second-straight week, he was all over the field making keys plays. Johnson led Denver with nine tackles, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss and two quarterback hits. If this becomes consistent, watch out.
Mike Purcell
Speaking of the Broncos rush defense, Purcell was a force for their interior defensive line. It’s also the second week he’s been active and started ... that’s not a coincidence. He finished with five tackles and two tackles for loss.
Chris Harris Jr.
Denver’s cornerback is the 20th player in franchise history to record 20 interceptions. Again, it’s fitting Harris did it on the day Bailey was honored. Harris also had four tackles and two pass breakups.
Justin Simmons
Two-straight weeks with a pick for the Broncos safety. Simmons also had four tackles and one pass defended.
Kareem Jackson
Denver’s other safety is so much fun to watch. He plays with a controlled aggression and, as with Johnson, is all over the field. It’s clear Jackson is the tone setter for this defense. Jackson had the Broncos’ third interception.
Demarcus Walker
Denver’s second-year defensive lineman is finding his comfort zone in this defense. Walker finished with four tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits.
Derek Wolfe
Not to be outdone by Walker, the Broncos veteran defensive lineman had an incredible day as well. Wolfe had three tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits.
Phillip Lindsay
On a day Denver’s offense struggled, Lindsay was one of the few bright spots. He paced Denver with 15 carries for 70 yards and the Broncos’ lone touchdown. Lindsay averaged 4.7 yards per carry.
Royce Freeman
Freeman made his impact more as a receiver for Denver than as a rusher. Freeman had five receptions for 42 yards. He also had 34 yards rushing on 11 carries. It was nice to see the Broncos utilize Freeman in the passing game to give defenses going forward something else to plan for. As a team, Denver finished with 103 yards rushing on 30 carries.
Courtland Sutton
The second-year receiver is turning into quite the weapon for the Broncos. Even though the knee injury to Emmanuel Sanders isn’t considered serious, it’s crucial Sutton remains a threat. Sutton led Denver with four receptions for 76 yards.
Brandon McManus
For all intents and purposes, the Broncos kicker was the offense. McManus was 3-for-3 on field goals, with his longest at 53 yards. His 53-yarder in the second quarter also broke his streak of seven-straight misses from 50 yards or longer.
Losers
There is only one loser on Sunday and that’s the Kansas City Chiefs. The unbeatable, never-before-seen Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have now lost two-straight games ... at home. Whatever it means for Thursday at Mile High matters not to me. On Sunday, it was clear; especially with that human trash Tyreek Hill back on the field.