5 winners, 1 both, 4 losers in the Broncos 19-16 loss to the Chargers

One game to go.

So there is something positive to take from the Denver Broncos 19-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Though with this loss, the Broncos (5-10) are now in the cellar of the AFC West.

And at least it turned into a good game. When you get two bad teams, that tends to happen.

Per the usual, I’m bound to forget someone, leave them off or put them in the wrong category, so please mention them in the comments.

Winners

Broncos Country

The 2020 season is almost over. If that’s not reason to celebrate, especially in this horrible year, there’s something wrong.

Shelby Harris

Yet again, the Broncos defensive lineman left it all out on the field. Harris finished with two more passes defended, four tackles (one solo), and one quarterback hit. Pay. That. Man. He and his wife are also about to welcome the birth of their son.

Malik Reed

Another fabulous game from Denver’s edge, and he did it without Bradley Chubb. Reed finished with five tackles (three solo), two quarterback hits, and one sack. He now has 7.5 sacks on the season.

Melvin Gordon

Since the Miami Dolphins game, the Broncos running back has been really good. On Sunday, Gordon finished with 16 carries for 79 yards.

Brandon McManus

Yes, he had a miss, but that’s bound to happen. McManus did make his next three kicks and, once again, was Denver’s offense.

Both

Drew Lock

The Broncos quarterback was not the reason they lost. And his 1-yard run capped an impressive 11-play, 72-yard drive. Here’s where it’s maddening: where is that drive the rest of the game? If we get that version of Lock consistently, a lot of people will feel more comfortable. For now that’s the key question hanging over this organization. The reason he’s a both is that bad interception on the Broncos’ first drive. All in all, nothing to write home about good or bad.

Losers

Jerry Jeudy

Not a good day at the office for Denver’s rookie receiver. By Andrew Mason’s count, Jeudy had five drops. One for a touchdown and another that would have put the Broncos in position to at least tie the game on that final drive. However, I have no doubt that Jeudy will bounce back from this. I still think he’ll be a special, special receiver for Denver.

De’Vante Bausby

Yikes.

Broncos rush defense (on the final drive)

Denver’s defense had a really good game, especially when you consider the injuries. That’s the theme for 2020 when it comes to this team. But when the Broncos needed a stop the most, the rush defense pulled a Jeudy. Denver gave up 35 yards to Austin Ekler that put the Chargers in position to win the game.

The Las Vegas Raiders

No, it has nothing to do with this game, but the Raiders are still the Raiders. As Mase pointed out on Twitter, in the last 25 years, the Broncos have as many Super Bowl appearances as the Raiders have winning seasons.