Don’t look now, but the Denver Broncos are undefeated in the month of November! While the turnaround on defense has been marveled at from time-to-time, and rightfully so, what really is starting to stand out on the field is how the offense is getting it done.
Sometimes it takes an old foe to make you realize the state of things. With the Browns in town on Sunday, memories of the classic games of the 1980’s come to mind. When John Elway marshaled those teams to victory back in the day, offensively things felt much different than they do in the current Broncos era.
In those classic games, you knew that it was always going to come down to Elway’s ability to scramble or deliver the ball right where it needed to be. These days, the offense is no longer predicated on the abilities of one golden-armed superstar. While the cult of personality around Russell Wilson’s play may not vibrate at the frequency Elway’s did, you can’t deny that the offense that coach Sean Payton has put together has been effective.
After Elway and Peyton Manning, Broncos Country is used to living and dying by the arm of their quarterback. That’s what makes this Denver Broncos 2023 offense so enigmatic. It’s not predicated on the performance of just one man and, holy crap, it seems to be working.
With the exception of Courtland Sutton and Austin Troutman’s incredible end zone catches of late, this Broncos offense is no longer big play-centric. This Denver team is all about grinding it out on the ground, wearing down defenses, and making opponents pay with surgical strikes that, for the last 5-weeks, have proven lethal.
After experiencing the explosive offenses of Elway and Manning and the barren desert of no offense since Peyton retired, this new Sean Payton offense has taken some getting used to. As the wins keep piling up, though, I’m here for every second of it. Draft picks were traded to New Orleans to get a coach that would turn things around in Denver. It looks like that’s exactly what he did. 2023 could finally be the year that the Broncos turn the page on ineptitude and return to relevancy.
It feels awesome being able to write that in November. Of late, that kind of talk has been reserved for the offseason only. Who knows, maybe there will be more to write along these lines come January. Wouldn’t that be something?
HEADLINES
Cover 4: Broncos surge past Browns, grab 29-12 win for fifth consecutive victory
These are the players and plays that led to the Broncos’ Week 12 win over the Cleveland Browns.
Broncos Notebook: Red-zone efficiency, Adam Trautman touchdown among keys to Denver’s win vs. Browns
“There were a lot of things we did today that I was pleased with,” Head Coach Sean Payton said, “and we felt like we beat a good football team.”
‘We won the fight’: Physicality, performances in run game lift Broncos to fifth straight victory
Denver rushed for a season-high 169 yards, limited Cleveland’s offense and imposed its will in the trenches.
Led by Garett Bolles, Broncos’ O-line mauled Browns – Denver Sports
Myles Garrett entered the game as the NFL’s leading sacker. Led by Garett Bolles, the Broncos shut Garrett down and shut him out.
Broncos’ surging defense gets three more takeaways in 29-12 win over Browns | AP News
The Denver Broncos came up with a trio of takeaways in their 29-12 win over the Cleveland Browns. That gives the Broncos 15 takeaways in their last four games.
Russell Wilson yells out “Pizza pizza pizza” before Denver Broncos QB keeper – CBS Colorado
Before hiking the football in the first half at Empower Field At Mile High, Russell Wilson yelled out “Pizza pizza pizza.”
Broncos beat Browns for 5th straight win, back in AFC playoff picture after 1-5 start
The Broncos are on a roll and back in the playoff race.
Defense forces more turnovers as Broncos defeat Browns 29-12, win fifth straight game – CBS Colorado
The red-hot Denver Broncos won their fifth straight game on Sunday, defeating the Cleveland Browns 29-12.
After abysmal start, Broncos riding five-game win streak – ESPN
The Broncos have 14 takeaways during their current win streak and have surrendered one less TD across those games than they did in one game against Miami.
Broncos win over Browns finishes with final score that’s never been seen before in NFL history – CBSSports.com
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a scorigami!
‘What’s happening?! | Kid hangs onto sheep in bizarre Denver Broncos halftime show | Video | Watch TV Show | Sky Sports
The Denver Broncos halftime show had some peculiar entertainment, as a kid hangs onto a sheep for dear life during some sheep racing.
Browns beaten up in tough loss to Denver Broncos
The Browns walk away wounded after a loss in Denver to the Broncos. Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was injured, and Myles Garrett was banged up.
Cleveland Browns’ fumbles costly in loss to Denver Broncos
The Browns knew the Broncos had made a lot of creating a bunch of takeaways recently. They turned it over three time themselves in Sunday’s loss.
Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson has concussion, Myles Garrett injured – ESPN
Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson has a concussion, an injury that caused him to exit Sunday’s loss to the Broncos early.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson out with concussion, Amari Cooper out with rib injury – NBC Sports
The Browns are dealing with several key injuries as they finish out what’s likely to be a loss to the Broncos.
Patriots off to worst start since 1993 with loss to Giants, losing in a way the NFL hasn’t seen in 30 years – CBSSports.com
The Patriots are now 2-9, the worst record in the AFC by two games
Eagles vs. Bills score, takeaways: Philadelphia sinks Buffalo in OT as Jalen Hurts scores game-winning TD – CBSSports.com
The showdown between two playoff contenders didn’t disappoint
How Steelers unlocked offense in first game with new OC: ‘More communication … more willing to take shots’ – CBSSports.com
Pittsburgh’s willingness to take chances was one of the offense’s main differences on Sunday
Patriots’ JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR coach Troy Brown get into heated sideline exchange during Giants game – CBSSports.com
Things are boiling over on the Patriots sideline
2024 NFL Draft order: Patriots remain in position for next QB, Jets move into top 10 after loss to Dolphins – CBSSports.com
The Bears are in an early position to draft Nos. 1 and 4 overall
Baker Mayfield: Until everybody gets pissed off enough to get it fixed, there will be no change – NBC Sports
With Sunday’s 27-20 loss to Indianapolis, Tampa Bay has now dropped six of its last seven games to make the club’s record 4-7.
Frank Reich: Message doesn’t fly when you’re 1-10, but I know these games are winnable – NBC Sports
After the Panthers fell to 1-10 with Sunday’s 17-10 loss to the Titans on Sunday, team owner David Tepper vocalized his frustration with a four-letter word.
Sunday Night Football: Ravens run away from Chargers 20-10 – NBC Sports
The Ravens had four takeaways but didn’t put away the Chargers until Zay Flowers’ TD run with 1:36 left
Brandon Staley: The AFC is wide open, to have a shot we need to beat New England – NBC Sports
Brandon Staley does not think the 4-7 Chargers are out of the AFC playoff race.
Sean McDermott on questioning late-game decisions: “Hindsight is always 20/20” – NBC Sports
Bills coach Sean McDermott is facing plenty of criticism for the decisions he made late in the fourth quarter of the Bills’ overtime loss to the Eagles on Sunday.
Jessie Bates’ 92-yard pick-six propels Falcons to win they needed in ‘worst way’
Vying for first place in the NFC South against their archrivals, the Atlanta Falcons needed a victory on Sunday in the worst way. Safety Jessie Bates did everything he could to make that happen, starting with a 92-yard pick-six.
Mike Tomlin not acting ‘like eureka’ but Steelers top 400 yards in win over Bengals
In Pittsburgh’s first game since firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada, the Steelers snapped a 58-game streak without 400 yards en route to win over Bengals.
Chiefs’ Travis Kelce becomes fastest tight end to reach 11,000 yards
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce added some history to his calendar on Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs star reached 11,000 career receiving yards, becoming the fourth and fastest tight end to do so.
NFL stats and records, Week 12: Eagles’ Jalen Hurts breaks Cam Newton mark; Bills’ Josh Allen ties one
NFL Research offers the best nuggets from each week of games in the NFL. Here are the most eye-popping statistical accomplishments from Week 12 of the 2023 NFL season.
All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard scheduled to visit with Cowboys on Tuesday
Shaq Leonard, a three-time All-Pro linebacker who was surprisingly waived by the Indianapolis Colts last week, is scheduled to visit the Cowboys on Tuesday, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported.
2023 NFL season, Week 12: What We Learned from Sunday’s games
The Steelers’ offense awoke to break a 58-game streak against the Bengals. Around The NFL breaks down what you need to know from all of Sunday’s action in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL season.
Zac Taylor defends Joe Mixon after RB rushes for 16 yards – ESPN
Bengals coach Zac Taylor said his team’s loss to the Steelers had “nothing to do with Joe Mixon,” who rushed for 16 yards on eight carries.
Mahomes, Chiefs limit mistakes as offense purrs – ESPN
LAS VEGAS — To Patrick Mahomes, the important offensive number for the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday’s game wasn’t necessarily their point total of 31, which matched their second highest output of the season.
Ravens beat Chargers behind Zay Flowers, ‘statement’ 4th quarter – ESPN
The Ravens head into their bye atop the AFC after closing out Sunday’s game against the Chargers with two fourth-down stands on defense and a 37-yard run by rookie receiver Zay Flowers.
In wake of report, Giants coach Brian Daboll expresses ‘respect’ for DC Wink Martindale – ESPN
In wake of report, Giants coach Brian Daboll expressed ‘respect’ for defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. “I’m glad he’s on the staff,” Daboll said.
Bills DE Shaq Lawson confronts, appears to shove Eagles fan – ESPN
Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson confronted Eagles fans and appeared to shove one of them during Buffalo’s loss to Philadelphia on Sunday night.
Horse Tracks: Broncos offense getting it done
