The Denver Broncos dropped to 3-3 on Sunday following a 23-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at home. Here are five quick takeaways from Sunday’s game.
1. Pat Surtain’s exit was felt on defense: After PS2 left with a concussion, the secondary allowed Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert to have his first 200-yard passing game of 2024. Riley Moss held up well all things considered and Levi Wallace was fine, but Ja’Quan McMillian had a crucial penalty late in the game that hurt the team’s comeback effort. Surtain was missed on Sunday and he seems unlikely to play on Thursday.
2. Javonte Williams had a rough game: Williams averaged less than four yards per carry (3.8), lost a fumble and dropped a pass. Meanwhile, rookie Audric Estime returned from injured reserve and led the team’s backfield with 6.5 yards per carry (on a small sample size of two carries). Perhaps we’ll see more of Estime going forward.
3. The offensive line held up OK: Without right tackle Mike McGlinchey (or fill-in right tackle Alex Palczewski) or center Luke Wattenberg, the offensive line still turned in a respectable performance. Bo Nix often had time to throw, but he didn’t always take advantage of it. Nix was sacked twice, but Matt Peart (right tackle) and Alex Forsyth (center) were serviceable fill-in linemen this week.
4. Devaughn Vele picked up where he left off: Vele led the team in targets (eight) and catches (eight) in Week 1 and then went four straight games inactive, initially due to a ribs injury. After Josh Reynolds (hand) was placed on injured reserve, Vele returned to the lineup and he once again led the team in targets (six) and catches (four), tying with Courtland Sutton in both categories. Nix clearly trusts the rookie WR, and he could be featured in the offense going forward.
5. Bo Nix did his best Tim Tebow impression: Nix (and the entire offense) was invisible for the first half and even the third quarter. After scoring zero points through 45 minutes, Nix led three scoring drives in the fourth quarter, but the comeback bid fell short after a failed onside kick attempt. Nix ended the day 19-of-33 passing for 216 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He also led the team with 61 rushing yards. If the Broncos are going to get back above .500, they’ll need Nix to start playing like it’s the fourth quarter from the first snap.
