The Denver Broncos held on in New York on a rainy day for their second win of the season, overcoming the conditions and a risky gamble that almost cost them the game late in the fourth quarter.
Denver Broncos New York Jets Recap
The Denver Broncos defense came up big once again against Aaron Rodgers and the Jets, while the offense got off to a sluggish start, but found a way to punch it in when it mattered the most.
Broncos defense continues hot trend vs. New York Jets
The Broncos’ defense continued to ride the hot hand of strong play in Sunday’s game against the Jets. Going into halftime, Denver’s defense held the Jets offense and Aaron Rodgers to a total of 101 yards at halftime. Denver’s defense sacked Rodgers three times, with John Franklin-Myers, Nik Bonitto, and Justin Strnad getting home. Rodgers was 8-of-16 passing for 81 yards.
Denver’s defense did a good job in the first half of limiting Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, the Jets’ two-headed rushing attack — holding them to a combined 29 yards at halftime, with Rodgers chipping in 16 yards on the ground.
The Broncos turned it up even more in the second half, getting after Rodgers once again with P.J. Locke, Malcolm Roach, and Jonah Elliss sacking the future hall-of-fame QB. One of their biggest tests coming into Sunday’s game was limiting the rushing attack of Breece Hall and Braelon Allen — and Denver did just that.
The rushing duo finished with 38 combined yards. Hall had ten carries for four yards and Denver stimied him all afternoon. Vance Joseph called a terrific game once again, deploying an aggressive front that showcased efficient stunts, and deceptive coverage on key situations.
Coming into Sunday’s game, the Jets offense was the top-ranked third-down unit in the NFL — Denver’s defense held them to 4-of-17. Game ball for Joseph and the defense.
Broncos offense rallies the storm
U-G-L-Y. The Broncos’ offense had no alibi in the first half against a tough Jets defense and porous weather conditions. Going into halftime, Bo Nix struggled with the wet conditions — going 7-of-15 for -7 yards passing. Nix took several downfield shots to Courtland Sutton and one to Lil’Jordan Humphrey right before halftime, but nothing connected. There were far too many horizontal passes in the game plan in the first half alone. The Jets’ defense limited Denver on first and second down, making it easy for them to sit back on third down to play the sticks in rainy conditions, holding Denver to an abysmal 0-for-7 on third down. Overall, the Broncos punted it away on six of their first seven possessions of the game and a lost fumble on the other.
The offense continued to struggle in the second half, but Nix and Denver’s offense would find some rhythm on a much-needed 11-play, 87-yard drive that saw Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin rattle off a couple of big runs. Nix’s 27-yard strike to Sutton on third down was the biggest play of the game for Denver’s offense — figuratively and literally speaking. Sutton hauled in Nix’s first career passing touchdown and rewarded him with the game ball. It was a great response from the rookie, who was having a rough showing up until that point.
Javonte Williams looked like his old self on Denver’s next offensive possession, rattling off 35 of his 77 rushing yards and setting up the Broncos’ offense to take a 10-9 lead after Wil Lutz’ field goal. Denver’s defense maintained their lead late into the fourth quarter, with the offense getting the ball back in the final two minutes. The Jets burned all of their timeouts after getting three stops, giving them a chance to get the ball back.
Sean Payton gambled — electing to let Wil Lutz, who hadn’t attempted a 50-yard field goal all season, try and extend the lead to 13-9. The gamble nearly led to a loss, as Lutz missed it. In theory, if he makes it, Denver could have played back with a cushion defensively, but the miss gave the Jets great field position, and luckily enough, the Broncos defense came up big to force a few stops that made Greg Zuerleine’s attempt to be longer — where he missed from 50-yards out as well.
Denver leaves their East Coast road trip 2-0 as they now come back home to face the Las Vegas Raiders.