Two dependable offensive weapons returned to the Broncos’ lineup Sunday at Empower Field.
And while neither had a singular game-changing play, both Jerry Jeudy and Albert Okwuegbunam were a welcome sight for an offense that sputtered in October.
Jeudy, who had been sidelined since Week 1 with a high ankle sprain, had four catches for 49 yards in the 17-10 win over Washington. And Okwuegbunam, who missed the past three games with a hamstring injury, had three receptions for 34 yards.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said he and his teammates were “happy to see Jerry back out there,” while Okwuegbunam “brought a lot of excitement” in his return.
“I told (Jeudy) just before the game, ‘Hey, bring that energy, the guys love that energy that you bring — have fun, dance, do what you do best,'” Bridgewater said. “He made some good plays for us today and had a big third-down (catch) on our scoring drive.
“When (Okwuegbunam) catches the ball, he’s looking to punish defenders. He’s running routes with precision and understands everything we’re asking of him… To have him back on the field and getting back up to speed, it’s pretty scary (for the opposition).”
Jeudy had a five-yard catch on 2nd-and-4 to move the sticks on the Broncos’ first scoring drive, which resulted in a second-quarter field goal. He also had three catches in the fourth quarter, including an 18-yard gain on third-and-8 that helped set up Melvin Gordon’s game-winning touchdown run.
“A couple of (his catches) were big,” coach Vic Fangio said. “I think his ankle bothered him a little bit there late, but it was a good decision to not play him last week even though he was medically cleared. He needed a week of practice… hopefully he’ll come out of the game feeling better and it got a little calloused from playing football for the first time since Week 1.”
Okwuegbunam helped Bridgewater set the tone on Denver’s first TD drive. On that possession in the second quarter, the second-year tight end had two catches for 31 yards and two first downs. The first came on a play-action swing pass into space, and the second on a downfield route that Okwuegbunam leaped to grab. He added another short catch in the flat in the third quarter.
Fangio stressed the Broncos, who rank in the bottom third of football at 19.6 points per game following the 17-10 win, will need all the playmakers they can get heading into their Week 9 showdown at Dallas. Entering Week 8, the Cowboys were first in the NFL at 34.2 points per game, and Fangio is concerned about his offense’s ability to keep up with that pace.
“We’re going to Dallas next, and they’ve scored over 35 in their last four games,” Fangio said. “So… we better get some points.”
