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Three stars from an emotional Week 17 victory for the Denver Broncos

Dennis Best Avatar
January 3, 2017

 

With the 2016 NFL season officially behind us and the Denver Broncos out of the playoff mix, it is safe to say this was one of the most rollercoaster years in recent memory. Denver, who had not missed a playoff opportunity since 2010, wanted to go out with a bang on what would end up being the final game coached by Gary Kubiak and assure the team’s 21st winning season in the past 33 years.

Playing host to division rival Oakland, who had the AFC West title on the line, the Orange & Blue wanted nothing more to play spoiler, and that is exactly what they did, showing coaches and fans that there was still fight in this team and winning by a final score of 24-6. Although the win was impressive from every aspect, there are always three stars that shine brightest.

Devontae Booker

Rookie Devontae Booker, who was essentially shoved into the starting role after C.J. Anderson went down with an injury, has seen his fair share of success this season—but nothing like his Week 17 performance.

Bookie was responsible for 109 yards on the day, including a 43-yard screen pass for a touchdown to extend Denver’s lead to 17 right before the half. No. 23 also had an 11-yard touchdown run on Denver’s opening drive.

The receiving touchdown was the first in his young career and Booker ends the season with five total touchdowns in six games started this season.

Justin Forsett

Playing for three separate teams in one season can be exhausting but ending the campaign with a bang makes it all worth it.

Justin Forsett busted through a Raiders defensive line for a 64-yard run right up the middle early in the second quarter—the previous long for the Mile High Crew was 28 yards. No. 20 would end the day with 90 yards on 22 carries.

To put Forsett’s 64-yard run into perspective, there was a total of six games where Denver did not eclipse the 64-yard rushing mark as a team.

Gary Kubiak

It was announced early Sunday morning the head coach Gary Kubiak would “likely” be stepping down from his role as coach and retiring from the game he had been a part of for 32 years. Well, those reports turned out to be true.

During his two-year stint with as the man with the plan, Kubiak saw 24-total wins which ties him with Red Miller (1977-78) for the best start over a two-year span in team history. During his first season as coach, Kubiak was able to bring a championship back to the Mile High City, despite having an injured veteran quarterback and a backup who is no longer with the organization.

“The fans—Broncos Country—I love the fans. They’re the best. They were good to me as a player and good to me as a coach. Just yesterday, walking off that field and seeing those fans one more time,” Kubiak stated at his final press conference. “I’ll always cherish it. It means a great deal to me.”

Gary Kubiak has three total Super Bowl rings both as a player and coach—all three came while representing the Orange & Blue.

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