Who among us wasn’t forecasting disaster early in the 1st quarter when Drew Lock threw that interception?

For as ugly as the game began, it’s admirable that the Denver Broncos fought through those early struggles to ultimately beat the Miami Dolphins at home.

What Broncos fans saw on Sunday was the synergy of sustained drives and a stifling defense. Offensively, the story of the game was the Broncos ability to run the ball. Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay combined for 166-yards on the ground.

This was the first game in a long time where it all came together the way it should. Drew Lock wasn’t heaving the ball 40+ times and the responsibility to win didn’t weigh on his shoulders alone because there was a clear commitment to the ground game. The defense took the field rested and ready and it showed. With 6 sacks and 5 tackles for loss, it’s not surprising that Miami head Coach Brian Flores showed Tua Tagovailoa the bench in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick.

On Sunday, the Denver Broncos found a recipe for success and it may just give Drew Lock the time he needs to find his mojo. If the Broncos can rely on their running backs and defense, Lock will have a fighting chance at keeping the Broncos from drafting or signing his replacement in the offseason.

HORSE TRACKS

Former Broncos’ great Floyd Little is now in hospice care – The Denver Post
Former Broncos running back Floyd Little has entered hospice care, his close friend and former Syracuse teammate, Pat Killorin, announced Saturday night on Facebook.

Denver Broncos to send game ball to Hall of Fame RB Floyd Little, who is in hospice care
With Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little in hospice care, Broncos coach Vic Fangio said a game ball from Sunday's win over the Dolphins would be sent to Little and his family.

'Our run game tonight exploded': How Denver won in the trenches vs. Miami with their work gloves
Maybe it was the scheme, maybe it was the halftime lead, maybe it was their attitude — or maybe it was all three. Regardless, the Broncos owned the ground game against Miami.

’05 Bronco Finds Dream Job As Denver Firefighter: ‘This Job Is Outstanding’ – CBS Denver
After playing under the lights at Mile High Stadium, a former Denver Broncos tight end has chosen to trade in his NFL helmet for a Denver Fire helmet.

New Orleans Saints road favorites at Denver Broncos in Week 12
The New Orleans Saints are the betting favorites in their Week 12 road game at the Denver Broncos.

Denver Broncos vs. Miami Dolphins NFL game story | 9news.com
The game story from the Denver Broncos vs. Miami Dolphins at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, November 22, 2020.

‘It just shows what type of player he is’: Drew Lock battles through injury, stretch of subpar play to help Broncos earn 20-13 win
“I just feel like, as a quarterback, you have to be able to have that mindset to where nothing can get to you,” Melvin Gordon III said.

Dolphins bench Tua Tagovailoa during second half of loss to Broncos but not due to injury concerns - CBSSports.com
Tagovailoa was benched for performance reasons but the switch won't continue into next week

Tua Tagovailoa benched for Ryan Fitzpatrick in 4th quarter but remains Miami Dolphins' starting QB
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was benched for Ryan Fitzpatrick in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game but will remain the starter next week against the Jets, coach Brian Flores said.

Dolphins at Broncos final score: Denver clings to victory after Ryan Fitzpatrick replaces Tua Tagovailoa - CBSSports.com
Miami's five-game winning streak comes to an end

‘I think it was poetic justice’: Justin Simmons snags clinching interception to cap strong defensive performance
In between Simmons’ would-be pick and his game-ending pick, the rest of the Broncos’ defense clamped down on Miami’s offense that ranked ninth in points per game entering Sunday’s contest.

Broncos' defense stands strong to help negate offense's turnovers - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPN
The Broncos entered Sunday’s game with a league-high 21 turnovers. Drew Lock’s interception two minutes into the game pushed that to 22.

Cover 4: Broncos' defense stymies Tua Tagovailoa, holds on late in 20-13 win
Ryan Fitzpatrick nearly led the Dolphins to a fourth-quarter comeback, but the Broncos came up with a big stop late in the game.

Chadiha: Defense could be lone reason Chiefs do not repeat
Another magical Patrick Mahomes game-winning drive led the Chiefs to a victory on Sunday night, but also overcame Kansas City's glaring weakness on defense. And that shortcoming might be the sole reason a Super Bowl repeat isn't had, Jeffri Chadiha writes

Sean Payton retweets ex-Falcons WR Roddy White's Taysom Hill barb after Saints' win
After Taysom Hill led the Saints to a win over the Falcons in place of Drew Bress, coach Sean Payton retweeted a critical tweet of Hill from former Falcons WR Roddy White. The coach's Twitter move went viral.

Notable injuries, news from Sunday's Week 11 games
Texans WRs Randall Cobb (foot) and Kenny Stills (leg) have been ruled out against the Patriots. Here are the other injuries we're monitoring around the league on Sunday.

Pederson: 'No questions about' Carson Wentz remaining Eagles starter
Carson Wentz struggled again, this time in a 22-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns. However, coach Doug Pederson isn't thinking about replacing the quarterback as his starter.

Mike Vrabel, John Harbaugh discuss Titans-Ravens pregame altercation and say they did shake hands - CBSSports.com
Vrabel said that there's no issue between him and Harbaugh

JuJu Smith-Schuster hurts toe stepping on officials' flag during Steelers' win over Jaguars - CBSSports.com
Smith-Schuster's status for Thanksgiving game vs. Ravens does not appear to be in jeopardy

Steelers at Jaguars score: Pittsburgh improves to 10-0 as defense has dominant performance - CBSSports.com
The Steelers are the 17th 10-0 team during the Super Bowl era

NFL Week 11 scores, highlights, updates, schedule: Andy Dalton delivers winning touchdown for Cowboys - CBSSports.com
All the best highlights from Week 11 are right here

As New York Jets flirt with 0-16, RB Frank Gore says, 'I can't go out like that'
At age 37, Jets running back Frank Gore doesn't know if he will be playing football next season. But he does know one thing: "If it is my last year, I can't say I'm going out 0-16."

Packers' Aaron Rodgers, Matt LaFleur defend Marquez Valdes-Scantling after fumble in OT
The Packers came to Marquez Valdes-Scantling's defense after the wide receiver fumbled in overtime to set up the Colts' game-winning field goal.

Wrong message would be sent if Carson Wentz benched, Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson says
Eagles coach Doug Pederson said after Sunday's loss to the Browns that he has no plans to bench Carson Wentz as doing so would send the "wrong message ... that this season is over."

Dallas Cowboys back in NFC East chase after snapping 4-game skid vs. Minnesota Vikings
Andy Dalton threw a touchdown pass to Dalton Schultz with just under 2 minutes remaining Sunday to lift the Cowboys past the Vikings and into the NFC East chase.

A.J. Brown: Pregame altercation "set the tone of the game" - ProFootballTalk

Colts beat Packers in wild overtime contest - ProFootballTalk

Cowboys end four-game losing streak with late touchdown to upset Vikings - ProFootballTalk

Cam Newton has an answer for why J.J. Watt had four deflections - ProFootballTalk

Matthew Stafford blames himself after Lions were shutout - ProFootballTalk

Joe Burrow injury: Bengals fear the worst after QB after suffers serious injury vs. Washington - CBSSports.com
The Bengals will now turn to Ryan Finley

Chiefs at Raiders score: Patrick Mahomes gets last laugh with winning TD drive in back-and-forth shootout - CBSSports.com
Despite a strong showing from Vegas, Kansas City needed just one minute to seal it