DENVER, Colo. — The Broncos are winless no more.
One week after losing the season-opener on Monday Night Football, the Denver Broncos bounced back with a 16-9 home win over the Houston Texans. The game was close throughout, with the Texans carrying a lead into the fourth quarter.
The win is what’s most important but it wasn’t the cleanest performance from the Broncos.
Here’s what you need to know.
The penalties continue
For the second-consecutive week, the Broncos led the NFL in penalties (at least ahead of Sunday and Monday Night Football).
The Broncos were called for 13 penalties worth 100 yards and there were some doozies.
A holding on Melvin Gordon negated a massive gain from Montrell Washington.
Too many men on the field turned a 3rd & 10 to a 3rd & 5.
One delay of game call negated a made field goal and knocked the Broncos out of field goal range. Points were literally taken off the board. Fans mocked the two delay of game calls by counting down the play clock for a stretch in the second half.
The Broncos have been called for 25 penalties through two weeks, the most in the NFL. The second-highest total is 17.
Something needs to change.
The decisions don’t make sense
On a 3rd & 1, with Javonte Williams averaging more than seven yards per carry, head coach Nathaniel Hackett made and interesting decision.
Hackett went with a fullback option play. Russell Wilson handed the ball off to fullback Andrew Beck, who had the option to pitch the ball to Williams. The play did not work.
In general, the Broncos probably should’ve gotten the ball into Williams’ hands more often. He was their best offensive player and it showed. Instead, there were too many passes after Jeudy left the game. The Broncos also relied on the pass game when they were close to the end zone. After the game Hackett said loaded boxes were a big part of those decisions.
Courtland Sutton and Javonte Williams carry the offense
When Jerry Jeudy left the game (more on that later), Courtland Sutton had to step up.
The veteran receiver caught seven passes for 122 yards. He also drew two pass interference penalties. One was more than 20 yards downfield. He also had a five-yard run.
Sutton worked against rookie cornerback Derek Stingley for most of the day, and easily won that matchup.
Randy Gregory makes some plays
The Broncos big free agency addition made his presence felt again in Week 2.
Randy Gregory had a strip-sack and three more quarterback hits. He collapsed the pocket consistently. He also notched a tackle for loss.
Two key injuries
The Broncos left the game with a couple fewer players than they started with.
Jerry Jeudy got hurt on a trick play when he was the downfield target on a deep crosser. He had a step on the defender but got bodied when he caught the ball. The defender landed on top of him. The Broncos ruled Jeudy out with a shoulder injury. After the game Hackett said it was a rib injury. Mike Klis of 9News reported after the game that Jeudy’s X-rays came back negative. The Broncos haven’t announced a timeline for Jeudy. Tyrie Cleveland and Kendall Hinton saw increased workloads after the injury.
Pat Surtain also left the game with a shoulder injury. He was also ruled out. More information should be available on Monday, after media hears from Hackett again. Damari Mathis got the bulk of Surtain’s playing time.
