The Mile High Sports Broncos team got together to provide some insight as Denver enters their week two matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
What does the loss of Jerry Jeudy mean for the offense and what will the final score be? Let’s take a look.
Who’s performance in Week 1 are we not talking about enough?
Lindsay Bebout (@lindsaybebout): I don’t think that Noah Fant is being talked about enough. In the preseason, nobody had him on their radar as a top 10 tight end except for Broncos fans. He left the New York Giants game with the most targets, tied for most receptions, and second-most receiving yards. I think he’s going to end up helping a lot of people win a fantasy football championship this year.
Rich Kurtzman (@RichKurtzman): Tim Patrick played well and he will be crucial moving forward without Jerry Jeudy for the time being.
Joey Richards (@JRDrafts): While the stat sheet doesn’t show the severity of his importance, Tim Patrick was phenomenal for the Broncos on Sunday. He simply showed up when the Broncos needed him, making various clutch plays including converting a fourth and seven, making a big catch on the sideline in the two-minute drill, and scoring a touchdown to close out the two-minute drill.
Nicholas Manning (@Dr_NManning): Dre’Mont Jones. The guy was an absolute terror for the Giants’ offensive line. Though statistically, he did not notch a sack, he was in the New York backfield early and often. Watching the game a second and third time, his explosion jumps out early and often.
JT Matthews (@JTMatthews01): Josey Jewell had an extremely productive day against the Giants. He recorded four tackles and forced a key fumble just outside of the Giants’ red zone in the late third quarter, keeping points off the board. Jewell played 100 percent of the defensive snaps and always seems to be around the ball. Though Jewell has his limitations, but he played a great game and deserves to be recognized for that.
Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars): Jerry Jeudy. The leap we had been talking about all summer long was on full display in Week 1. Despite playing a fraction of the game, no Bronco had more receptions or yards against a loaded Giants secondary.
Does Teddy Bridgewater’s impressive performance change your outlook on the Broncos’ season?
Nicholas Manning (@Dr_NManning): I entered the game Sunday a hopeful skeptic, and left as a Bridgewater believer. His ability to manage plays in any situation was masterful. Additionally, what was truly impressive was his playmaking ability. Something, we all undersold. If he can continue this level of play, the Broncos will be dangerous for any opponent on their schedule.
Lindsay Bebout (@lindsaybebout): 100 percent. I admittingly was not thrilled when Bridgewater was named the starter. I thought it was an overly safe move by Vic Fangio who’s on the coaching hot seat. However, he blew me away with his performance. I was expecting a game manager, and I got a dominant NFL quarterback.
Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars): Absolutely. Any way you slice it, Bridgewater played at an exceptional level and showed playmaking ability we haven’t seen from him in years. He showed everyone that his ceiling is nowhere near as cemented as the general public believed.
Rich Kurtzman (@RichKurtzman): Honestly, no. I had this team at 10-7 and if they are going to hit that mark, they need extremely efficient QB play all year. Not saying he has to play that well — he was phenomenal — but highly accurate and smart with the ball? Yes. And he will do just that.
Joey Richards (@JRDrafts): After one game, I need to see it done on more of a consistent basis before the season trajectory changes for me. I’ve always thought the Broncos would be a tough team to beat with Teddy Bridgewater at the helm, but last game, he exceeded my expectations.
JT Matthews (@JTMatthews01): Teddy Bridgewater showed us a lot on Sunday but, in a one-week sample size, I am not ready to jump completely on the bandwagon. If he can get a win in Week 4 against the Ravens or Week 5 against the Steelers, then I will be more inclined to jump aboard the Bridgewater hype train. Teddy did some nice things and deserves the praise he has received, however, we can’t base a season off of one performance against a mid or low-tier NFL team.
Who do you believe will be the beneficiary of Jerry Jeudy’s absence against Jacksonville?
Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars): Noah Fant. Despite being banged up all week ahead of Denver’s matchup with New York, he had an awesome game. He’s now healthier, his matchups against Jacksonville will be more advantageous, and he can also function as a security blanket.
JT Matthews (@JTMatthews01): It will be a group effort but this seems to be a perfect opportunity for KJ Hamler. Up until now Hamler has shown flashes and has the potential to be a very talented deep-ball threat but hasn’t proved he can be a reliable receiver game in and game out. Success comes from opportunity. Let’s see if Hamler can capitalize.
Joey Richards (@JRDrafts): The entire tight end room are prime candidates to see a big increase in production while Jerry Jeudy is out due to injury. I suspect the Broncos to come out in more heavy formations going forward, making the roles of Albert Okwuegbubam and Eric Saubert that much more important to the Broncos’ offensive success.
Rich Kurtzman (@RichKurtzman): As stated before, Patrick. But I also see KJ Hamler and the tight ends getting more love from Steady Teddy too.
Nicholas Manning (@Dr_NManning): I think K.J. Hamler will be used early and often this week. He had a phenomenal training camp and preseason and there was a lot of hope for him entering week one. With a key drop on a 50-yard bomb from Bridgewater, the team rallied around No.1. His quarterback brought Hamler’s locker next to his this week to connect more. Look for Pat Shurmurur to help him keep his confidence by dialing up some plays for him, and especially a deep ball or two.
Lindsay Bebout (@lindsaybebout): I think Courtland Sutton will return to the number one receiver. With so many options, I think the entire wide receiver core is going to have some low number games, and Week 1 just happened to be Sutton’s. KJ Hamler might have more yards based on his style of play and the long balls, but I fully expect Sutton to get the most targets.
Will Patrick Surtain have a bounce-back game with an increased role against the Jaguar’s talented pass catchers?
Joey Richards (@JRDrafts): Only playing 16 defensive snaps against the Giants, it was tough to get a full evaluation on Surtain in that game. Based on what we’ve seen in training camp and preseason, I think Surtain is plenty capable of having a big game against the Jaguars.
Lindsay Bebout (@lindsaybebout): I expect Patrick Surtain to flourish. The Houston Texans had three interceptions against the Jaguars. This is the type of game that rookie corners dream about because it’s a stage that sets them up to look like a star. Calling it now…Patrick Surtain is guaranteed to have an interception.
Nicholas Manning (@Dr_NManning): I believe a full week of practice as the No. 1 guy outside will help Surtain feel comfortable against the Jaguars this week. With a consistent diet of snaps, he should get a feel for the game and make a few plays. I do not expect him to be dominant this week. However, I do anticipate a much more improved performance out of the ninth overall selection.
Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars): I think Surtain will. I also believe his struggles last week were overstated. He had one bad rep, and it appears the coverage breakdown was more on the linebackers than PS2. The missed tackle was a ghastly mistake, but if your rookie corner only has one bad rep a game, you should be happy.
Rich Kurtzman (@RichKurtzman): Surtain will, but I also expect to see him make a mistake or two this game. It happens, even to likely superstars, when they are rookies.
JT Matthews (@JTMatthews01): Patrick Surtain may be the most talented defensive player the Broncos have drafted in some time. That being said, he is still a rookie and I still expect him to make mistakes. The Jaguars have three talented receivers in Laviska Shenault, DJ Chark, and Marvin Jones that will be using their skill and experience to their advantage. Do I expect Surtain to get torched? No. Will he have a few lapses in coverage? Most likely.
What is the final score prediction this week, and why?
JT Matthews (@JTMatthews01): I predict an easy 30-17 win for the Broncos. Jacksonville is led by talented rookie Trevor Lawrence who has shown flashes of stardom. However, just like Surtain, he is a rookie with one (underwhelming) game under his belt and, even with the sustained injuries to our defense, is going to face one of the most dominant defenses in the league. Denver showed they can put points on the board against a stingy Giants defense, doing so against Jacksonville should prove even less difficult. The combination of those two factors boosts the odds insurmountably in the Broncos’ favor.
Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars): 38-7 Broncos. Houston is a bad football team and they dominated Jacksonville. Outside of an early, east-coast kickoff, and the potential for Trevor Lawrence to go full Super Saiyan, there’s no reason to believe Jacksonville will win.
Rich Kurtzman (@RichKurtzman): Broncos 31 – Jaguars 17. The Broncos will jump all over the Jags early and pour it on, but the defense will allow some scores late.
Joey Richards (@JRDrafts): 28-10 Denver. Trevor Lawerence, while extremely talented, is a rookie. Playing against one of the league’s best defensive minds so early in his NFL career will be a struggle. I think the Broncos’ defense dominates this game and the Broncos come out of it with a pretty convincing win.
Lindsay Bebout (@lindsaybebout): If you know me, you know I think very poorly of Urban Meyer for many, many reasons; however, I promise this is an unbiased answer. The Houston Texans picked Trevor Lawrence and their running game apart. Let that sink in for a moment. I predict 38-14 Denver, which will include a defensive touchdown for the Broncos. I am so excited to watch my favorite team destroy my least favorite team.
Nicholas Manning (Dr_NManning): Broncos win 31-17. I expect the Broncos to dominate the game. However, I expect the team to jump out to an early lead. This will take the ball out of Bridgewater’s hands as they work to eat up the play clock. A few late Lawerence touchdown passes give the perception the game was close than it appeared.