Broncos @ Jaguars
Final Score: Broncos 21, Jaguars 17
Writer: Justin Herrera (@Semtexmex93 on Twitter)
The Broncos and Jaguars flew across the pond to London, England, to play this Week 9 showdown. Both squads came into the game on three-game losing streaks and looking for a win to get right. This was a game of quarterback questions; on one side, you have the former number-one overall pick, who has been rocky with his consistency this year. And on the other side, you have a newly paid Russell Wilson, who has been more of a comedy act than a seriously good quarterback. This game became a struggle to score early on, and the defenses were tough and opportunistic. Both squads gave up turnovers and left points on the field. The game came down to each team’s final drives, and Russell Wilson would show why he was sought after in the offseason. Leading a game-winning drive set up by one of his trademark “moonshot” deep balls. While the former number-one overall pick closed the game with his second interception, officially ending the game. The result was Denver Broncos 21, Jacksonville Jaguars 17.
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Russell Wilson: 18/30, 252 Yards, TD, INT | 4 Carries, 17 Yards
.@DangeRussWilson getting his rookie TE involved. @Greg_Dulcich#DENvsJAX on ESPN+
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/1hxHCYIRGv pic.twitter.com/31jBKfcT0Q— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2022
Russell Wilson is a one-of-a-kind type of guy. Whether it’s his “Dangerous” sandwich or his Mile-High Calistetics, he’ll always be that guy. This game was no different; the first meaningful play he made was throwing an interception. Two defenders guarded a pass to Courtland Sutton. The first four drives for the Broncos looked like a quarter of a billion dollars worth of a nightmare. Russ completed two of five passes for 19 yards, an interception, and the Broncos did not convert the first down. On the fifth drive of the game, Russ and the Broncos got their act together. Wilson looked sharp on the drive completing all six passes for 55 yards, capping it off with a nice six-yard pop pass to Jerry Jeudy. The Broncos looked like they would get into field goal range on the next drive. Russ completed four of seven for 43 yards, and if not for poor time management, an untimely sack, and a missed deep ball to KJ Hamler, the score could’ve been a lot different.
The first drive of the Broncos’ second half was all Russ to rookie tight end Greg Dulcich. The two connected on three passes for 78 yards, including a 38-yard dart that Dulcich just nearly missed a touchdown on. Instead, it ended up being a one-yard rushing touchdown for teammate Melvin Gordon III. Russ reverted back to his “Limited” form on the next two drives, missing on deep throws and going three and out on two separate drives. On the last drive, the Jaguars applied pressure taking a 17-14 lead, allowing Russ to go full “Unlimited”. On the first play, he connected with KJ Hamler for a 47-yard moon shot. Russ would slow down the offense after a first-down scramble and let the clock tick as his run game would punch in the final dagger. Overall, Russ was mostly the guy we’ve seen all year long, with just the right amount of “Unlimited.” All joking aside, he did come up in big moments and was a big reason the Broncos broke their three-game losing streak.
Running Back
Latavius Murray: 14 Carries, 46 Yards, TD | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 13 Yards
Melvin Gordon III: 9 Carries, 29 Yards, TD | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 23 Yards
Latavius Murray puts the Broncos (+100 ML) back in front 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UHFIPhtKSE
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) October 30, 2022
Latavius Murray led the backfield this week with 16 touches, and while neither back was impressive, he did have a game-winning touchdown. Murray’s longest rush of the game came early in the game as he ran for nine yards, but maybe his best play outside of the TD was a 13-yard dump-off. Melvin Gordon started the game but was an afterthought with 52 total yards on 13 touches. He did score an early touchdown but didn’t do much else. Overall, this backfield will be based on whoever is the hot hand.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Greg Dulcich: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 87 Yards
Jerry Jeudy: 7 Targets, 6 Receptions, 63 Yards, TDs
KJ Hamler: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 52 Yards | 1 Carry, 9 Yards
Courtland Sutton: 4 Targets, 1 Reception, 13 Yards
Montrell Washington: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 1 Yard
It’s beautiful. 🤩@Greg_Dulcich | 📺: ESPN+
pic.twitter.com/riXrI2mZ9A— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 30, 2022
Greg Dulcich is a rookie with the talent to be a top-tight end this year. In this game, he only had one big drive where he caught three passes for 78 yards. He was thrown to throughout the game, and it seems like Dulcich is becoming a valuable weapon for Russ in this offense. Jerry Jeudy had a good showing amidst the ongoing trade rumors. Jeudy caught six of seven targets for 63 yards, and the one caveat was that he only made one catch for five yards in the second half. His biggest play was the deep pass for 25 yards on a drive that he would score on a six-yard end-around pop pass.
KJ Hamler had a monster 47-yard catch to set up the game-winning touchdown, and he would also get an important nine-yard rush on that same drive. Courtland Sutton caught one pass for 13 yards and dropped a big pass; not a good day for the number one guy. Overall, this receiving core showed some life today, and this could be the best time for this team’s bye. Hopefully, they can come back in Week 10 healthy and ready to build upon this performance.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence: 18/31, 133 Yards, TD, 2 INT | 3 Carries, 15 Yards
Over 40.5 bettors are not going to like this Trevor Lawrence INT at the 1 😓pic.twitter.com/o1cT2Euwdq
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) October 30, 2022
Trevor Lawrence started the game off strong after his defense reeled in an interception. Lawrence would throw a big 22-yard touchdown to Evan Engram. T-Law started off the next drive strong, completing all four passes for 22 yards, but was helped downfield by a couple of big defensive penalties. Lawrence would end this drive with four incompletions, and a goal line interception picked off by Justin Simmons. A wasted opportunity, considering how close this game would end. Lawrence would end the half completing four of nine for 24 yards, and the Jaguars would score a field goal but could’ve had a chance at a second if not for an ill-timed intentional grounding. The first half for the Jaguars was all about the points they left on the field due to mistakes by the second-year quarterback.
In the second half, the Jaguars had the ball first and couldn’t do anything with it. The Broncos’ defense was a stout force, only allowing five first downs on the first four drives of the second half. On the second to last drive, Lawrence produced and found Christian Kirk for a 25-yard pass to kick start a drive ending in a one-yard touchdown to Travis Etienne. The Jaguars would get a chance at the end of the game to try and take the lead for the final time, but Lawrence would throw an interception on the first play. Overall, Lawrence completed 58% of his passes and continues to teeter between taking that next step in his development and regressing. Today was a tough challenge against the Broncos’ defense, but that’s supposed to bring out the best in players, and it didn’t work for Lawrence.
Running Back
Travis Etienne Jr.: 24 Carries, 156 Yards, TD | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 6 Yards
JaMycal Hasty: 4 Carries, 13 Yards | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, -3 Yards
Travis Etienne has a unique ability to change speed & direction quickly, this is on full display along the sideline here. He explodes through the hole & while avoiding a tackle is able to decelerate & tip toe the sideline before exploding for a huge gain! #FantasyFootball pic.twitter.com/UBsWIiavgX
— Jeremy (@PopesFFH) October 30, 2022
Travis Etienne is an explosive athlete with a lot of elusive moves. In this game, he showed off his ability to get into the open-field and make defenders miss. Quite possibly, his best run of the day was a 49-yard outside run that showed off his breakaway speed. If we take out the big run, then Etienne still averaged 4.7 yards per carry, which was a big reason this team could keep drives alive. Etienne found the endzone on a one-yard run up the gut. JaMycal Hasty plays the change of pace role and the receiving back role, but today he was almost completely nonexistent. Overall the running back room is the most exciting group in Jacksonville, with Etienne looking like a world-beater today against a stout run defense.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Evan Engram: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 55 Yards, TD
Christian Kirk: 7 Targets, 3 Receptions, 40 Yards
Zay Jones: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 28 Yards | 1 Carry, 7 Yards
Dan Arnold: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
Marvin Jones Jr.: 3 Targets
Chris Manhertz: 1 Target, 1 Reception, -1 Yard
Evan Engram hit the SIU to perfection 🙅♂️
— PFF FC (@PFF_FC) October 30, 2022
Evan Engram had a big day this week, scoring on a 22-yard corner route and getting the Jaguars on the board. In the second half, Engram would come down with an 18-yard pass. Engram is a weapon for Lawrence, and with his receiving core looking porous at times, this could lead to more targets for the talented tight end. Christian Kirk was the most targeted receiver in this game; the quality of targets was questionable. Kirk did get involved on the last scoring drive, catching a slant pass and taking it for 25 yards to help get the team into the red zone. Zay Jones caught all of his targets for 28 yards and even made an appearance as a runner in this game. Overall this receiving core felt underwhelming; this could’ve just been the matchup. Also, Lawrence has shown he has a problem with consistency, which will lead this unit to underperform more regularly.
Debbie Downer masterclass.