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Horse Tracks: Broncos Wilson flashes against Jags in London

There’s the Denver Broncos $250 million quarterback. Russell Wilson brought the Broncos back to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8.

NFL: International Series-Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time in the month of October, the Denver Broncos found themselves on this side of the win column and it feels fantastic.

Let’s be honest, the first half looked like more of the same old overwhelmed offense. 3 and outs, an interception, and brutal swarming sacks did not inspire much confidence in the Wilson’s ability to do all that much.

With 2:44 to go in the half, Wilson’s found Jerry Jeudy for the first Broncos touchdown in the game, an 11-play 75-yard drive. Was this an aberration or a sign of things to come?

In the 3rd quarter, when the Broncos were pinned on their own 2, the thought of a touchdown was so implausible that I, and probably many other fans, just wanted to play to not get a safety. 10 plays and 98-yards later, Wilson handed the ball to Melvin Gordon who rumbled into the end zone for the Broncos second touchdown of the day.

Multiple touchdowns? In the same game?

When Jacksonville scored a touchdown of their own late in the 4th quarter, in a season where getting points feels next to impossible, many Broncos fans felt like the meager lead might be just enough to vanquish the Broncos in yet another close, low-scoring game.

...but that was not to be.

Immediately, the Broncos answered back with a touchdown of their own, a 9-play, 80-yard response that put the Jags on their heels, doomed to end the game with an ill-timed interception.

For having an offense that has been so frustrating this far into the season, Russell Wilson put together drives of 75, 98, and 80-yards. When the Broncos found themselves in the red zone, they took advantage, converting position into touchdowns. For the first time in weeks, Wilson put the team on his back and demonstrated the skill that inked that $250 million deal.

The optimist in me wants to believe that there were things in this game that Denver could build on going forward into the season. With the bye looming in the week ahead, it’s up to Wilson, coach Nathaniel Hackett, and the rest of the staff to capitalize on all that was good in London against the Jags. After this win, it’s clear the Broncos are capable of more wins this season, just how many is up to them. Let’s ride.

HORSE TRACKS

Broncos find way to make crucial plays in crucial moments in win over Jaguars
Again and again this season, the Broncos failed to make those plays — and on Sunday against the Jaguars, they made them.

Broncos rookies Greg Dulcich, Nik Bonitto have major impacts in Broncos’ victory over Jaguars
“Once we started moving quick and getting things rolling, there was no stopping us,” Dulcich said after the game.

Denver Broncos edge past Jaguars as quality takes backseat to passion | NFL | The Guardian
Delirious Wembley fans happy to overlook failings of both sides in front of record crowd for an NFL game in London

NFL Winners and Losers: Raiders can't be feeling good about their Josh McDaniels hire
Josh McDaniels is picking up where he left off from his last head-coaching job.

Las Vegas Raiders look to regroup after 'embarrassing' loss
Admitting that is was his responsibility, Las Vegas coach Josh McDaniels, after a 24-0 loss to the Saints in New Orleans on Sunday, was quick to "apologize to Raider Nation for that performance and, again, I own that."

How good are the Vikings? Answer still unclear after fifth consecutive win
How good are the Vikings? Jim Trotter explores that question in Minneapolis, where he finds a first-place team focusing on the journey instead of the destination.

Ranking the deepest and thinnest NFL rosters in 2022
Looking at every team's depth chart, who are the five teams who could withstand injuries and the five who really couldn't.

Tyreek Hill is on pace for 2,042 receiving yards - ProFootballTalk

Sunday Night Football: Bills beat Packers 27-17 for fourth win in a row - ProFootballTalk

J.J. Watt - Jared Allen sack celebration a tribute, not a slight
Cardinals DE J.J. Watt clarified that his mimicking of Jared Allen's post-sack roping-a-calf celebration on Sunday was meant as a tribute to the former Vikings great, who was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor at halftime.

Rams' Cooper Kupp hurts ankle vs. 49ers; Sean McVay 'kicking himself' for playing All-Pro WR in final minutes - CBSSports.com
Luckily, Kupp does not think the injury is serious

Niners' Christian McCaffrey becomes first player since 2005 to throw, rush and catch a touchdown in same game - CBSSports.com
McCaffrey is a certified weapon

Patrick Peterson trolls Kyler Murray with 'Call of Duty' celebration after Cardinals QB throws interception - CBSSports.com
Murray threw two interceptions in the loss

Panthers' D.J. Moore catches ridiculous P.J. Walker TD pass, then helps Falcons seal OT win with penalty - CBSSports.com
The wideout was flagged for removing his helmet after the catch

NFL scores, schedule, live Week 8 updates: Commanders steal last-second win vs. Colts; McCaffrey, Henry go off - CBSSports.com
All the best highlights from Week 8 are right here

2022 NFL season, Week 8: What We Learned from Sunday's games
Around The NFL breaks down what you need to know from all of Sunday's Week 8 action.

Zach Wilson's meltdown vs. Patriots raises questions about long-term future as Jets' franchise QB
After getting an up-close look at the Jets' loss to the Patriots on Sunday, Judy Battista writes that Gang Green has a quarterback problem. Is Zach Wilson the solution for a team trying to end its playoff drought?

NFL stats and records, Week 8: Derrick Henry runs roughshod over Texans -- again
NFL Research offers the best nuggets from each week of games in the NFL. Find out what were the other notable feats from Week 8.