Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Denver Broncos, Bo Nix Outlast and Sweep Las Vegas Raiders

Starting point is 00:00:00 It was a royal flush for the Denver Broncos as they sweep the Las Vegas Raiders for the first time in a long time behind Bo Nix and Cortland Sutton's big day. We'll tell you how that connection really fueled things for the Broncos in the second half on today's Lockdown Broncos post-game report. You are Locked on Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. Hey, hey, hey, Bracos country. Welcome into another episode, Lockdown Broncos, your day. Daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network where you know it is your team every day. I'm Cody Roark, Broncos reporter for Mile High Sports. You could check out my written work over there, milehighsports.com. Join, as always by Sarah Bedinger, the podfather. You can check out his work, predominantly orange.com. And also NFL spins on once a special. Thank you to everyone at Broncos Country

Starting point is 00:00:56 for making us your first listen of the day. And to all the every dares out there who literally make the show exactly what is. Thank you so much, Broncos Country. We appreciate you. It never improves to 7 and 5 on the season after a sweep of the Las Vegas Raiders. And as our good friends always said, one of our favorite songs we've ever had. It's been a while. But now the Broncos, they're heading to newer fields here with a 7 and 5 record. We'll break down all the action on today's episode of the show. We'll wrap things up by handing out game balls, as we always do on a Victory Monday episode of the show.

Starting point is 00:01:27 We'll talk about the Broncos defense coming up big in some big time moments, especially after losing two defensive players. But we will kick things off. but the Broncos offense, Bo Nix, taking care of business, all on today's show, which is brought to you by our friends over there. Fanduil, start the season with big return on Fandu. New customers can place a $5 bet, and you'll get started $150 in bonus bets. If you win your first $5.com, too, get started.

Starting point is 00:01:50 Sarah, where do we gain? As we said, it's been a while since the Broncos have swept the Las Vegas Raiders, but they did it here on Sunday. They outlasted them in a little bit of a stressful game on Sunday. They wiped that stain away, Cody, to continue with that reference that you're making there. By the way, Max Crosby, I bet you he's a big fan of stained. He kind of seems like a stained kind of guy, doesn't he? But look, the Broncos got rid of that dirty, ugly stain against the Las Vegas Raiders,

Starting point is 00:02:17 never having won at Allegiance Stadium, never having beaten the Las Vegas Raiders, right? The last time the Broncos beat the Raiders people, and they won the Super Bowl. So it might be time for us to perk up a little bit in our chairs and start to think about, Hey, history tends to repeat itself, right? But, you know, it was an important win for the Denver Broncos. And Cody, I think everybody in Broncos country was collectively just disappointed, ticked off, upset, annoyed at the way this game started. The first half was ugly.

Starting point is 00:02:46 The Raiders converted a fake punt. They had a big kickoff return that set them up in great field position. I mean, it was not the best first half for the Denver Broncos to say the least. But thanks to Will Lutz, keeping the Broncos close in this game. game, right? They were able to mount not just a second half comeback, but really kind of pour it on in the second half, really have some good success offensively, for some turnovers defensively, and he sweep the Raiders here in 2024. I mean, that's huge, right? And to your point, that first half, like Denver would do something

Starting point is 00:03:17 positive, right? They'd go two steps forward, but three steps backwards. Mike McGlinch, you got hit with three penalties in the first half alone and negated a really big run that you had early on in that game, two holding penalties plus a false start. So that was a little problematic early on. It seems like, hey, like the Broncos, anytime they would do something positive, something negative would happen or two negative plays would happen. Look, you get you a little McLaughlin off to a really hot start. And then he doesn't really see the ball as much after the fact.

Starting point is 00:03:44 Granted on his big time run that he did have early on in the first quarter, had a knee injury, was questionable. It ended up coming back into the game here. But the Broncos seemingly in this game, it was kind of a little bit of a pass-happy dropback approach because the run game early on had good numbers. It was promising. And how do you negate the impact? of Max Crosby. That's a big way to do it. And look, my bold prediction, it came through.

Starting point is 00:04:05 I did say, hey, this would be the first game. The Broncos don't have Max Crosby wrecked the game in terms of having a sack. Now, he wrecked it in other ways. He was a force. He's a freak in nature there, but he didn't have a sack in his game against the Broncos as they hold on there. But really, you know, Sarah, I'd say the one thing we got to highlight here. It was the second half coming out of it, right? You get the ball to start the second half. You need some big plays. Third down, who comes up big? Cortland Sutton. And look, Bo Neckstead, in the post-game interview with Melanie Collins saying, no, at halftime, he didn't have a target to his name. He didn't believe.

Starting point is 00:04:36 And Bo said, he went to court and said, hey, this is going to be your half here. Certainly, that's the case. Cortland Sutton finishes with eight catches for 97 yards on 10 targets in this game, two touchdowns from Bo Nix. And he had several big third down catches. Hey, like Denver needed them in some big time moments. There was even a drive where he had a big third down catch when Denver was on their own two-yard line. They marched downfield and made it happen there.

Starting point is 00:05:00 Bo continued his string of hot play as well. What was it, 25 of 42 passing, 273, two touchdowns, no turnovers. I think we saw a more concerted effort here from the Broncos offense. Overcoming, you know, hey, like the Raiders defense, they were banged up. But man, Max Crosby, Tyree Wilson, those guys, they were sending a lot of cover zero looks. Trouin Mowry, they were trying to get after Bo Nix. But they did a good job of overcoming some of those punches that the Raiders threw at them early. And Sean Payton said it after the game.

Starting point is 00:05:30 game. He said the team we had last year doesn't win this game. It's truly a mark as this team, Bo Nix's team, by the way, is stepping forward. Sean Payton also said after the game, right, credit to the Raiders. They came out with some fire about them, but they lost the game. You know, so I think as as much credit as you want to give them, the Broncos obviously found a way here. But Patrick Graham did call a really good game, Cody. I mean, obviously the Broncos were struggling with their protection package in the in the first half max crosbie had uh mike mcglinchie maybe seeing ghosts a little bit out there we saw the false start penalty right and so it was just kind of one of those games where it felt like man the raiders they they wanted to be the spoiler more than the broncos wanted to kind of step

Starting point is 00:06:12 on the throat in a way and that was frustrating to see but yes it is credit to the raiders for coming out with that fire playing with that next man up mentality but the broncos responding to a dismal first half especially your quarterback i was thinking about it. Cody, as the Broncos came out of half time, it's like Bo Nix needs to be the one to make a play here because the Raiders have kind of found a way. They're batting down balls at the line of scrimmage. They're getting a good pass rush. They're not allowing the Broncos to really run the ball a ton. And then we saw that. Broncos started off the second half with a rough opening drive. And then you get the interception by Brandon Jones that sets you up in great field position,

Starting point is 00:06:50 the throw to Cortland Sutton for the first touchdown of the game. I mean, just a beautiful play between two guys whose chemistry over the last five, six games has been outstanding. So to see Bo Nix come out and respond the way that he did in that second half, I mean, we're talking rookie of the year right now, Cody. Bo Nix, he's the rookie of the year to me. I know other guys are putting up numbers. I know other guys have played well. Bo Nix, he crossed that 20 total touchdown threshold.

Starting point is 00:07:17 He is the rookie of the year as of right now, in my opinion. He's been so impressive as well. And look, obviously, Cortland has emerged his number one target. No surprise, no secret there. Wide receiver two was his primary target in the first half. Devon Valey coming up big in this game for the Broncos as well, six catches on nine targets for 80 yards. It's been fun to see him.

Starting point is 00:07:36 And obviously Marvin Mim's getting involved a little bit. I just felt like Denver, obviously, their third down numbers early on in the first half. They were a little brutal here, sir. I'm going to pull it up real quick. First half alone. Okay, Bronco is going at a half time. When you look at third down efficiency here, they were one of five. That's 20%.

Starting point is 00:07:51 They end up finishing the game, six of three. 15 so much better in the second half still under that 50% mark you know you want it which is a little bit to change up for where the broncos have been in the last two weeks coming off kansas city coming off against Atlanta but you know what the stat that matters here is a w the broncos now seven and five gaining a little bit of traction here in the aFC wildcard race right now they maintain that seventh spot firmly here we know the the chargers and the ravens play on monday night football that could impact some things here. But more importantly, you gain a little bit of distance from the

Starting point is 00:08:25 Indianapolis Colts. The Miami Dolphins are creeping up a little bit. This would gives you a little bit more cushion against them coming up. And then obviously the Bengals who are there on the back end, the Broncos at this point, they're in firm control of their destiny. Seven and five right now is good, but the Broncos must maintain that. They must push the gas a little bit further. I will say this, you know, I think overall, Denver's got to get back to the run game here.

Starting point is 00:08:47 Sarah, I felt like this was an opportunity, especially with how it was trending early on to run the football. I was like if I'm going to nitpick anything here, I was not a fan. I was a question. I think we all were what Sean Payton was doing late in the fourth quarter. The Raiders have three timeouts. There's a two minute warning. And Devor throws the ball on three straight possessions and essentially runs 15 seconds total

Starting point is 00:09:07 off the clock. The clock management there a little bit late was a little problematic. I think for me if I'm going to nitpick anything. But I don't know. Maybe Sean was testing the guys. I didn't like it though because, hey, it still gave the Raiders a little bit of a chance. It did. And when you have Giovante Williams getting eight carries for negative two yards, I mean, that doesn't help.

Starting point is 00:09:25 That helps inform your decision maybe a little bit to say like, look, we need to run the ball here. But our guy, supposedly our best guy, you know, he's got minus two rushing yards on eight carries. I mean, it was just, it might have been if he had fumbled, Cody, it might have been the worst game we've seen from Javante Williams, which is kind of saying something at this point, really tough sledding for him in this game. So maybe that's where Sean Payton was coming from. And we have seen quite a bit in recent weeks. Sean is really putting a lot on the plate of Bo Nix. Like he trusts his guy. He really trusts his guy out there to make a play.

Starting point is 00:09:59 And a couple of those throws at Bo had, they hit guys in the hands. I know Cortland Sutton dropped one of them. That was a tough play. Had a defender coming right at his head. So easy for me to say sitting here watching the game on TV. But man, Knicks is that guy to Sean Payton. I think it's a vote of confidence. It's really big for this team.

Starting point is 00:10:16 And the fan base. is bought in on both. You're not a believer at this point. If you're a member of Broncos country, I don't know what to tell you here. It's fun seeing Bowenix compete. Look, you know, he's one of the guys who has snapped, you know, a streak here that the Broncos have been trying to get off.

Starting point is 00:10:31 Sarah mentioned the stain. You sweep the Raiders and you obviously, you know, you have impactful performances in both those games. Big win here for the Broncos is they march one step closer towards a playoff appearance. And now they have the Cleveland Browns on Monday night football. But how did the Broncos defense buckle down in moments where it mattered most will highlight an emerging superstar here for the Broncos defense that helped them win this game on Sunday.

Starting point is 00:10:55 You'll get that much more here on today's episode, Lockdown Broncos. Today's Lockdown Broncos Postgame report is brought to our friends over there at Hillsdale College, history, economics, the great works of literature, the meaning of the U.S. Constitution. Did you study these things in school? Probably, probably not. And if you didn't look, or even if you did, maybe it's time for a refresher. Time and technology, they have changed a lot of things, but they have not changed basic fundamental truths about the world and our place in it. And now Hillsdale College is offering you the chance to brush up on these things or learn something new for absolutely free. Our sponsor Hillsdale College, they're offering more than 40 free.

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Starting point is 00:13:17 Well, it wasn't just next man up for the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon because the Denver Broncos, they lost a couple of key defenders against the Raiders, and they had to overcome. And they did just that with some big plays, especially in the second half. Cody and I are going to talk about injuries to Zach Allen, Riley Moss, as well as the defensive performance in response to those injuries. We'll update you on everything that we can. and don't worry.

Starting point is 00:13:40 We got game balls coming up here on today's episode, Lock on Broncos. But Broncos Country, thanks so much for joining us every single day. We appreciate all of you so much for making us your first listen of the day. Every single day. If you haven't already, hit subscribe on the show so you don't miss a single episode.

Starting point is 00:13:57 Cody, not a welcomed site before the game to see Zach Allen in a walking boot against the Raiders. We saw him pop up on the injury report late in the week, typically a DNP on Wednesday. for non-injury-related rest. And then you see him pop up on Friday with a heel injury. A little cause for concern there, in my opinion, when you see a guy walking around in a boot. But let's talk about Zach Allen,

Starting point is 00:14:22 how the Broncos stepped up without him in the lineup. Man, and look, that was an injury that happened during practice. So he started off the practice trending towards full participation. This happened during practice. The walking boots, a little disappointing. I feel like just a little note here, if it was something severe, you know, or season.

Starting point is 00:14:39 you know, knock on wood, maybe I don't think he would have traveled, but the Broncos also had Alex Singleton. He's traveled to games too before surgery. So we have no update on Zach Allen just yet. Hopefully some good news here. We'll obviously find out as time goes on here. But look, Denver's defense, I think it was evident early on, especially in this first half share, that while the Broncos, they're missing Zach Allen. Because they didn't have as much juice in terms of interior pressure. And you start to see just some big plays, extended plays from Gardner Minshu happened.

Starting point is 00:15:06 You know, the run game for the Raiders was going on a little bit. in that first half, Amir Abdullah, not only impacting in the run game, but also out of the backfield. And so I was like, the Broncos, they're in a situation. They don't look like themselves defensively in this game. They were able to shake that off, though, Sarah, because, I mean, you find a way to hold the Raiders in this game to 4-14 on third down after, you know, the Raiders are having some success early on, especially towards the end of that second half. I felt like it was a little problematic to see like, hey, you score, you kick a field goal right before half time. There's 50-something seconds left.

Starting point is 00:15:38 and you let the Raiders get downfield. They kick a field goal to extend their lead 13-9. That was a little, I'd say problematic there, but Denver overcame. And the second half was a little bit of a different story here, Sarah. And I want to talk about big players coming up in big moments. You have specifically here have been talking about the need for this for the Broncos for quite some time. Right.

Starting point is 00:15:58 The Broncos need a pass rusher that's going to come up big and clutch situations. They finally have that a guy and it came in a big time moment. The Raiders, after that drive the Broncos had offensively where they're They threw the ball three straight times. The Raiders got the ball back there. Nick Benito comes up with a big time sack, his 10th of the season. First Bronco since Von Miller, Bradley Chubb. Back in 2018 to get double-digit sacks,

Starting point is 00:16:21 he emerged as that clutch time rusher right there for the Broncos. And Denver finds a way to hold on for this victory 29 to 19. But man, Denver's defense came up big. You know, they found a way early, you know, after that early struggles to have 10 quarterback hits, five total sacks in this game. here just big time players making big time plays the broncos they have their superstar pass rusher of the future in benito they absolutely do cody and just to back up the the way that i've been trying to manifest this i went ahead you know found some good black friday deals out there

Starting point is 00:16:53 purchased myself a little nick benito jersey there's not a lot of jersey players on the broncos these last few years but look a guy gets 10 sacks he appears to be in line for some uh a big payday here pretty soon cody the former second round pick out of oklahoma has admitted that he's never had double-digit sacks in a season before, even dating back to his time at OU, where he was one of the best pressure players in all of college football. So it's really impressive that he's been unlocked over the last couple of years, because remember, his rookie year was almost a redshirt year of sorts.

Starting point is 00:17:27 We didn't see him out there hardly at all. There was some questions going into 2023, like, are the Broncos even going to utilize Nick Benito? Like, what's going to happen there? Is he only just a rotational pass? rusher like situational guy he's an every down player he's a stud and now he can add he's homelander man he's homelander i love it you can add closer to the resume now because the strip sack that he got on desmond ritter late in the game we've been calling for it we've been just yearning for it we've

Starting point is 00:17:56 been longing for it and nick benito finally delivered in the clutch for the denver broncos you love to see it no absolutely and it's it's a nice security blanket to you know to know like hey the broncos he's on a rookie deal around. He's going to end up getting paid. But it's like the Broncos, they have their guy. They just paid Jonathan Cooper. He's going to be around. You got Nick Benito for a while. Jonah Ellis notched his fourth sack, I believe, of the season late in this game. It's like, hey, like things are very good in Denver right now.

Starting point is 00:18:24 Let's talk about the Riley Moss thing. Riley Moss right before halftime. This is also another frustrating thing. I think we're all collectively frustrated when we went at a halftime. We were in a group chat talking about the game. Riley takes an inadvertent shot into the knee, his knee hyper extended. and, you know, he leaves the game and, you know, was able to walk off on his own accord. I think our biggest worry was as ACL.

Starting point is 00:18:43 Good news from Sean Payton post game says that it's not ACL. It's not serious. They avoided that, but it is an MCL, which could, you know, potentially mean a few weeks. They said there was even some belief or some notion that maybe he could come back into the game here. Obviously, I think you'll get an MRI on Monday in Denver. We'll find it a little bit more, but there's a chance maybe short-term IR steps up. Levi Wallace, the veteran stepping in. I thought did a pretty solid job here for the Broncos.

Starting point is 00:19:08 It could change things. Now we could see more Demari Mathis, maybe even Chris Abrams drain, if Moss does miss sometime here for Denver. But obviously, you lose two of your best players, you know, Pastor Tans, obviously the top dog on that defense. But losing Riley Moss and not having Zach Allen, that's massive for the Broncos defense and something certainly worth monitoring here going forward, especially as the Browns come to town.

Starting point is 00:19:28 Luckily, that by week is coming up, Sarah. Need the by week. Need guys to just kind of get right. and the Broncos want to finish on a high note, obviously, before they head into the by week. So Riley was having a great first half, too, man. I mean, he was PBO. Great pass breakup.

Starting point is 00:19:44 I mean, he just had a tremendous first half against the Raiders. So it sucked to see him go. And you want, obviously you want to see him back on the field as quickly as possible, right? But you want him better for the long term. So it's encouraging that there was even just thought given to him coming back into the game. But guys stepped up in his absence. The Broncos,

Starting point is 00:20:03 they had such a great package or whatever you want to call it, Cody. They had a great plan for just defending against Bowers for the Raiders, right? Because obviously he was, I mean, 13 catches or something last week. And so you come in, you're like, all right, this guy ain't beaten us. So they had Pat Sertan and man coverage on him at, you know, third down situations, which was cool to see Brandon Jones, who has been a versatile weapon, not just as deep safety, but the guy can play man coverage too, Cody. He's pretty impressive.

Starting point is 00:20:31 I think that they put together a great plan. So kudos to Vance Joseph for that, especially in the second. That guy could have wrecked the second half. The Broncos needed to come back. And he could have taken over the game. They didn't allow that to happen. Denver didn't have the momentum going into halftime too, which is I think another great response as we're sitting here saying,

Starting point is 00:20:50 okay, hey, how is this team going to prove that they're not like last year's team? The resiliency factor, like last year's team, I don't know if they would have been able to shake off. Like, hey, we lost the momentum. But this is a team that seemingly comes up big when you need. them to, which is ultimately going to lead to us handing out game balls for the Broncos, 29 to 19 victory. They improved the 7 and 5 on the season. They control their destiny firmly.

Starting point is 00:21:12 But which players for the Broncos get the game ball after Sunday's royal flush, a sweep of the Raiders? We'll break that down. And much more here on today's episode, Lockdown Broncos. Today's Lockdown Broncos post game report is brought to my friends over there at Fandul, America's number one sportsbook. And Fandu wants you to get ready to tackle the NFL this season. side of Fanduels America's number one sports book because right now new customers, they can bet $5 and they can get $150

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Starting point is 00:22:20 today. And you'll get started with $150 in bonus bets. If you win your first $5 bet, that's fanduel.com, never waste a hunch and make every moment more with Fanduel, an official sportsbook partner of the NFL. As we jump at the fourth quarter action on today's episode, Lockdown Broncos, we're going to hand out our game balls from Denver's impressive victory against the Raiders to improve to 7 and 5 a sweep of an AFCS rival. They haven't done so in quite some time. It's been a while, if I'm not mistaken, I think 2014, I have to go back and double check that

Starting point is 00:22:51 because they lost a home game to the Raiders when Brock Osweiler was playing quarterback. I remember that Devere had that road win. Chris Harris Jr.'s pick six. He would have gotten a game ball. But we're going to hand out ours here. today's episode show real quick. Thanks to all the everydayers and first listeners out there in Broncos country. We appreciate you.

Starting point is 00:23:07 Sarah and I. We got you covered every single day all year long for all your Broncos news content coverage more with just straight up analysis and thoughts, no hot takes, no clickbait, none of that nonsense. You get real Broncos coverage here. Sarah, let's kick things off with you, my friend. Let's focus on the offensive side of the ball. If you're going to hand out a game ball, who gets one?

Starting point is 00:23:27 And then I'll share mine. Well, I'm handing. I'll throw the game ball, Cody, to Cortland Sutton because I know he's going to come down with it, right? I love what we saw from Sutton in this game. The dude has been absolutely on fire as of late. You mentioned it back in the first segment, just the clutch receptions on third down in the red zone. You know, Bo Nick's able to trust him with the fade route. Just one-on-one, go beat your guy. Go beat him in the in a one-on-one situation. Make it 60-40. Let let it be Cortland Sutton advantage. No 50-50 balls when he throw at his direction. The stepping up on third down,

Starting point is 00:24:00 going down to the ground, digging a ball out of the ground for Bo Nix at one point in time, Cody, coming open across the middle of the field on third down. I mean, he just, it was all there from Cortland Sutton in this game, the timing on a back shoulder play, just everything that we saw in this game from Cortland Sutton is everything that we've been wanting to see. I've been so hesitant to slap the wide receiver one label on him because for a lot of time, for maybe since 2019, it's almost felt more so like, court is like a really high-end wide receiver two.

Starting point is 00:24:33 And we saw last year signs of some of the wide receiver one stuff when Russell Wilson, you know, throwing him the ball and Cortland had 10 touchdowns, most he's ever had. He, the dude's looking like a wide receiver one these days, isn't he? I mean, five, six straight games now, I believe Kevin Harlan mentioned it in the broadcast with, you know, 70 more or more receiving yards. So it's just the stretch right now is too long to really say. I think Cortland Sutton is back to wide receiver. one status in Denver.

Starting point is 00:25:02 Five total touchdowns for him on the season in terms of receiving, but six total touchdowns he factor and he's got a throwing touchdown to Bo Nix. So, hey, four touchdowns away total from the, you know, hitting 10 here once again, which, you know, I think there's going to be growing momentum or bowing momentum that he is going to be here for Bo Nix for quite some time, a clear cut security blanket here. Obviously, I like that game ball. I think Broncos country, if they could elect anyone to give a game ball to, they're going to give it to Bo Nix. I think it would be cliche if I give it to him two weeks in a row.

Starting point is 00:25:31 Bo is obviously deserving of it. I'm going to go with a guy who I felt like just once again had an underrated impact and set up a big moment for obviously your guy who gets the game ball, Cortland Sutton. Sarah, I'm going to go with Marvin Mims here this week in terms of getting a game ball. I think last week he won the honorary one because of his impact, not only out of the backfield, but also what he did in the return game here against the Raiders in this game. Okay, he had, you know, the run game certainly was not there, right? Because the jet sweep, teams know about that.

Starting point is 00:26:01 Don't like that. That's got to get out. He had three catches for 44 yards, including a 37-yard catch and run where he motions, runs that wheel out of the backfield. He gets down to, you know, inside the goal line. And all of a sudden, it's like, hey, the Broncos, they're in position now. Now, Bo, he rolls out and he finds Cortland Sutton, I think, on the very next play for the touchdown.

Starting point is 00:26:19 And that right there, so I'm thinking to myself like, hey, Marvin doesn't have to have big, staggering numbers, but it's like, can he be an impact player? That was an impact play. And I think, if I'm not mistaken as well, I'm looking at the numbers here in the return game. He had one punt return at 22 yards, which gave the Broncos great field position near midfield at that point. That is just another thing.

Starting point is 00:26:40 It's not big numbers, but it's impactful numbers and impactful moments. Marvin Mim is going to get a game ball from me. But I feel like we would be remiss if we don't bring this up here, right? If we're going to hand out a locked-on Broncos honorary game ball, every single week. I don't think we can overlook big deal, Will Lutz, man. Five of five on field goal attempts, two of two on extra points. The Broncos don't win this game if it isn't for him coming up big with his leg.

Starting point is 00:27:05 Like granted, Devere had two touchdowns in the second half, but man, that wouldn't have been enough more than likely if it weren't for Will Lutz giving them good positions, good opportunities, and nailing a couple of 50-yarders here. Yeah, I think Cody and somebody might have to fact-check this because I saw a tweet pop up during the game that the 53 and 54 yard kicks from Will Lutz are either his two longest in the NFL or two of his longest that he's had, maybe as a Bronco, one of the two. So somebody in the comments, you fact check that for us because Will Lutz definitely deserves a game ball after this one, Cody.

Starting point is 00:27:38 I mean, the Broncos had some decent drives that got stalled because the Raiders, I mean, they were bringing pressure. We talked about it. Will Lutz delivered in the clutch moments that the Broncos needed to keep this a one score, to keep it a tight game. I mean, if he misses a kick, if that happens, I don't know where the momentum goes, Cody. I think it's maybe out of control in favor of the Raiders there. So shout out to Will Lutz for the game that he had.

Starting point is 00:28:03 Defensively, I've got to hand out a game ball to Brandon Jones. Came up with that interception. The Broncos desperately needed a turnover. Gardner Minshu gets pressured on the play. And then, of course, Brandon Jones is waiting there to take advantage as he had on. It has on a number of occasions this season. And the guy, you know, came up on the injury report on Saturday with an illness designation listed as questionable. Brandon Jones flu game?

Starting point is 00:28:27 The Brandon Jones flu game is what I'm saying, man. I love it. You love to see it. So shout out to Brandon Jones for, first of all, getting himself ready and playing. And then not only that, but man, picking off a pass. And like we talked about earlier, guarding Bowers in the passing game, doing some one-on-one stuff there and just being physical. I love what we see. It's great to have him back in the lineup.

Starting point is 00:28:48 Yeah, five tackles for him, two passes defense, the interception. Obviously, he gets that. I'm going to give the defensive game ball here to Nick Benito. We talk about just needing a guy to emerge as a budding superstar here. The Broncos internally, they believe that Benito is their superstar pass rusher of the future. And certainly he's doing a great job there. He comes up big, obviously, with sack here on. It was Desmond Ritter who filled him because unfortunately, Gardner Minchew broke his collarbone on one.

Starting point is 00:29:16 I think it was a collective sack of Cody Barton and Jonathan Cooper. or unfortunately. I hope he's well. He's going to be out for the season there. But Nick Benito in this game, three tackles, one sack. He had one quarterback hit, two TFLs, and he also had a force fumble in this game. Nick Bonillo strong season continues. He is just one and a half

Starting point is 00:29:34 sacks back now of Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals, who, the Broncos are going to face at some time, but they got, I'm not mistaken, I think five games remaining on the year. And then, hey, who knows? Things are opening up here. The Broncos, they're staying healthy right now, knock on wood. The by week coming up. Everything's coming at a great time here, Sarah, for this Broncos team. Nick Benito gets our final game ball here on Lockdown Broncos. But Broncos,

Starting point is 00:29:57 you have a chance to send in your game balls as well. Make sure you let us know here on social media at Cordyork NFL at Sarah Beninger at Lockdown Broncos. Who gets your offensive, defensive, and underrated special teams could be either of those things, underrated game balls in Sunday's victory. The Broncos 7 and 5. Obviously, what you can expect here this week coming up on lockdown Broncos. We'll hear from Sean Payton on Monday morning. Maybe we'll get an update on the injury status of Riley Moss further and Zach Allen.

Starting point is 00:30:24 But on top of that, you have a chance to get involved with our Broncos mailbag series. So make sure you send those into us. And on top of that, we'll take a look around the state of the AFC on tomorrow's. Brand new episode, Lockdown Broncos. We'll see you then.

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