The Denver Broncos clinched the top slot in the AFC Conference in Week 18. That means the Broncos have a first-round bye in the playoffs and home-field advantage throughout the tournament. While Denver’s divisional round opponent remains to be seen, let’s get to the key takeaways from the Broncos’ Week 18 game vs. the Los Angeles Chargers. Let’s go.
Broncos’ Defense Is Not the Problem
The Broncos’ defense didn’t allow a touchdown in Week 18 vs. the Chargers. Said defense totaled four sacks, five tackles for loss, eight QB Hits, six pass breakups, and a pick-six. Nickel cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Denver went up 10-0 at that point.
Meanwhile, EDGE Nik Bonitto totaled a sack and a half, interior defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike totaled a sack, inside linebacker Justin Strnad totaled a sack, and interior defensive lineman Zach Allen totaled a sack. It’s going to be a tough matchup travelling to Denver in the postseason for offenses.
Bo Nix and Co. Quiet on Offense in Win
The Broncos’ offense didn’t score a touchdown in Week 18 as well. Outside of a 15-play, 81-yard drive that lasted eight minutes and 52 seconds and ended in a field goal, it was a snoozefest. Denver’s offense totaled four straight drives that ended in punts — not including kneel-down drives — including two three-and-outs. Even after a seven-play, 52-yard field goal drive that lasted three minutes and four seconds, two more three-and-outs ensued.
Even on a drive that started in the red zone, the Broncos’ offense totaled negative two yards in four plays and settled for a field goal. Forget the bye week; this is not an encouraging sign heading into the playoffs. Bo Nix’s stats are below.
Nix: 14-of-23 for 141 yards, a 6.1 yards per attempt, and a 78.4 passer rating. He totaled eight carries for 49 yards as well.
And on 31 team carries, including Nix’s yardage, Denver rushed for 116 yards (RJ Harvey totaled 16 touches for 33 yards — 15 carries for 28 yards; one reception for five yards). Pat Bryant, meanwhile, led the Broncos’ pass catchers in targets with five and receptions with four. Tight end Evan Engram paced pass catchers in yardage (45).
All told, the offense converted five of 15 third downs on 58 plays and gained just 240 yards to the Chargers’ 217 (both teams totaled 12 drives). In a game where both offenses did little, the Broncos’ defense came up big with two turnovers that led to 10 points. The Chargers, meanwhile, mustered only three points. On to the bye week, but there’s reason for concern heading into the playoffs.
Nix is No. 12 in PFSN’s NFL QB Impact Metric, so, in a passing league with offense over defense, he should’ve been able to go toe to toe with the Chargers’ defense — No. 8 in PFSN’s NFL Defense Impact Metric.
