Game balls for the Broncos 37-28 win over the Jets on TNF

The Denver Broncos got into the win column for the first time this season with a dramatic 37-28 win over the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football despite nearly half the teams salary cap tied up in players who didn’t play.

Despite the game being a bit sloppy at times, it turned into a bit of a back and forth shootout type game despite the Jets only putting a single offensive touchdown on the board. The story is about the Denver offense who finally began to move the chains like many thought they’d be able to do in 2020.

Let’s get our game balls handed out!

Brett Rypien

Brett Rypien was out there looking like a quarterback of the future for a while. He was accurate and poised keeping the Broncos in the lead for much of the game. After a very nice looking touchdown throw to Tim Patrick late in the third quarter, even other NFL quarterbacks were chiming in on Rypien’s play.

However, then came the early fourth quarter. Rypien threw a pick six then came right back out and threw another interception that helped the Jets take the lead. I thought for sure Jeff Driskel would be coming in at that point, but Head Coach Vic Fangio stuck with him and Rypien bounced back to re-take the lead for Denver late on a beautiful pass to Patrick for a 31-yard gain that would lead to a field goal.

He didn’t have the best stat lines completing 19 out of 31 for 242 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, but he looked like he belonged out there and did what no other Broncos quarterback has been able to do this season - lead the team to a win. - Tim Lynch

Tim Patrick

The Broncos receiver had himself a game. Patrick finished with a game-high 113 yards on six catches and one touchdown. As Adam Malnati and I talked about the MHR Radio Podcast, what Patrick has flashed the last two weeks (on top of what Jerry Jeudy did on Thursday), you can see glimmers of a bright future for the offense and the franchise. That’s especially true when Courtland Sutton returns next season. - Ian St. Clair

Melvin Gordon

Averaging nearly five yards per carry, Melvin Gordon’s 107 yards and two TDs showed Broncos Country why he was given a two-year, $16 million contract from Denver even when Phillip Lindsay was on the roster - because you can never have too many speedy running backs willing to break some tackles (or bounce off a few) to squeeze out the tough yards. Gordon did all of the above on Thursday and even sealed the win with a breakaway TD run with just two minutes to go in the game. - Laurie Lattumore-Volkmann

Brandon McManus

In a hard fought win on a rainy night close to sea level, Brandon McManus was absolute nails. He hit two 50+ yard field goals in a game that was close until the end. The Broncos needed this win in a bad way and McManus was a big part of making sure the team ended the night the right way. - Sadaraine

Jerry Jeudy

Jerry Jeudy had just two catches for 61 yards. Not a bad average, but not a huge impact on the game. However, one of those catches was his first touchdown catch in the NFL. And it wasn’t any regular ho-hum catch. LeBron James tweeted about it. It made everybody invoke the name of Randy Moss. The young rookie went over the top of Pierre Desir, snatched the ball away, and then casually backtracked into the end zone. The disrespect was unreal. That man has a family, Jerry! - Adam Malnati

Alexander Johnson

With Denver’s defensive line decimated by injuries, we will likely see more blitzing to generate pressure. Luckily, Alexander Johnson excels in that area. Aside from his missed sack on Darnold early on, Johnson had a great day and was all over the place on defense. It’s hard to remember sometimes that Johnson still hasn’t played a full 16 games with the Broncos (believe next week will make it a full 16), because he already looks like a vet out there. In a season full on shuffling and change ups, AJ has been a reliable constant in the middle of the Broncos D. - Jeff Essary

De’Vante Bausby

De’Vante Bausby didn’t have the flashiest game, but he seemed to be making plays on the ball every other play in the 4th quarter when the Broncos needed him most to step up. HE finished the game with 3 solo tackles and 3 passes defended (led the team) despite only playing on 39 defensive snaps which was 51 percent. With Essang Bassey struggling, Bausby’s anticipation and veteran moxie is going to be put to good use in the coming few games. Let’s hope he can stay out of the dog house. - Joe Mahoney

Who gets your game ball for the Broncos win over the Jets?