The Denver Broncos win on Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills was monumental for them as they look to make a second-half run to end the season. Which players or units received a game ball from Monday’s big-time victory?
Denver Broncos game balls against the Buffalo Bills
Monday’s game for the Broncos saw various players and units step up in a big way to help them pick up a crucial win to start the second half of the season. Denver’s offense, defense, and special teams all saw clutch contributions when it mattered.
Russell Wilson delivers for the Broncos in the clutch
When the Broncos needed Russell Wilson to step up, he delivered. He and Denver’s offense orchestrated two clutch drives in the fourth quarter, one leading to a touchdown pass to Javonte Williams and another that helped Denver get downfield into field goal range.
More importantly, Wilson’s efficiency and ball security were big during Monday Night. While he and the offense struggled in the third quarter, he had ice in his veins in the fourth.
After Monday’s 24-of-29 passing performance, 193 yards, two touchdown passes, and no interceptions, Wilson has the most efficient touchdown to interception ratio in the league with 18 touchdown passes and just four interceptions. On top of that, his 67.9% completion percentage ranks in the top five in the NFL through 10 weeks.
In Wilson’s last two games, he’s thrown for five touchdowns and no interceptions. His throw to Courtland Sutton in the second quarter paid homage to some of the vintage Russell Wilson we’ve all seen before.
Vance Joseph, Broncos defense has made big strides
The Broncos’ defense was on a historically bad pace to start the season, including a 70-point output allowed to the Miami Dolphins. Over the course of the last few weeks, the defense has seen a drastic improvement.
After that Dolphins game, the Broncos defense made several key personnel changes that have now allowed them to play more efficiently on that side of the ball. Vance Joseph is still running the Vic Fangio shell, but has incorporated more of his own actual playcalls.
Nickel cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian has really emerged as a potential riser for Denver’s defense. His forced fumble and fumble recovery on the very first play from scrimmage is a testament to how much he’s really encapsulated the defense’s philosophy.
An argument can be made that he’s playing the most important role right now for Denver, defensively. He doesn’t shy away from coming up and tackling in the run game either.
Justin Simmons snagged his third interception of the season and 30th career interception, the most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2016. Fabian Moreau came up big for Denver right before halftime with a crucial interception of Josh Allen, his first interception as a Bronco.
Alex Singleton’s fumble recovery of James Cook in the second half was crucial for Denver as well.
Through the last two weeks against the Kansas City Chiefs and Bills, the Broncos defense has forced nine total takeaways, has gotten two stops on fourth down to regain possession, and has created various pressure on Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.
Marvin Mims making the Denver Broncos special teams more dangerous
When Sean Payton arrived in Denver as the team’s next head coach, one of his top goals was to revamp the Broncos special teams unit, which was bottom-ranked in 2022.
Mike Westhoff and special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica have done a terrific job revamping that side of the ball for Denver, turning them into one of the league’s top units.
After adding Marvin Mims in the NFL Draft, Payton has a versatile weapon at his disposal. While his usage hasn’t been ideal on offense, he’s been a game-changer in the Broncos return game.
In Monday’s win against the Bills, Mims had several big returns that helped put the Broncos’ offense in great field position. He had two punt returns for 44 yards, including a 27-yard return that set up the offense near midfield.
He had a 31-yard kick return that also gave Denver’s offense favorable field position.
Mims closes out Mile High Sports game ball recipients from Monday’s big-time win in primetime.