Game balls, quotable and a look ahead following the Broncos’ 38-10 win over the Lions in Week 14 to improve to 7-6.
Game Balls
Dre’Mont Jones
After a quiet start to the season, Jones’ pass-rushing productivity exploded over the past month and he continued that trend Sunday. He posted the fourth multi-sack game of his career, and also had a tackle for loss and a pass deflection. On one of the Lions’ drives in the third quarter, Jones had a sack on first down, a tackle for loss on second down and then batted a pass on fourth down.
Melvin Gordon
After missing last week’s loss in Kansas City with a hip injury, Gordon had 42 yards on the Broncos’ opening drive alone, and finished with 111 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. It marked his 13th career 100-yard game as he overcame an early hand injury. He had a one-yard TD in the first half, then ripped off a 14-yard TD through a gaping hole up the middle to put the victory on ice in the third.
Jonathon Cooper
The rookie outside linebacker, starting opposite of Bradley Chubb after Malik Reed went on the COVID/reserve list Saturday, finished with five tackles. He also had his first career fumble recovery, which came on the Lions’ second play from scrimmage in the second half. Cooper recovered the fumble near the sideline, and the takeaway permanently changed the game’s momentum.
Quotebook
Vic Fangio on how the Broncos handled DeMaryius Thomas’ death and taking the field with 10 players to start the game: “Obviously they responded well (to the tragedy)… The people in our building, the 10 players (who personally knew Thomas) and coaches and workers in our building — you could feel the outpouring of love and sadness in the Denver community…. I talked with (Lions coach) Dan Campbell and he agreed not to accept the penalty, which was a classy move on his part. And (the referee) was in on it.”
Fangio on the Broncos’ defense playing well: “If we’re going to get to where we want to get, itap going to have to continue.”
Teddy Bridgewater on winning for Thomas: “It’s an emotional time and the way to truly honor (Thomas) and his legacy was to go out there and play great football. And we did that today…. (The first play) was a special moment.”
Javonte Williams, who had two TDs, on the offense’s fast start: “It was the moment of silence at the beginning that was (motivating). That really sparked (us), and we had something bigger to play for today.”
Up Next
Sunday vs. Bengals, 2:05 p.m.
Record: 7-6
Week 14 result: Lost 26-23 in overtime at home to San Francisco.
Coach: Zach Taylor (3rd year).
About the Bengals: Cincinnati’s endured a roller-coaster season much like the Broncos, with impressive wins offset by head-scratching losses such as a Week 8 defeat to the Jets and a Week 13 blowout to the Chargers. Joe Burrow’s downfield chemistry with wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins is undeniable, so Denver’s secondary will be tested. The Bengals also boast one of the top run defenses, ranking fourth at 92.5 yards per game heading into this week. The loser’s playoff hopes will take a serious hit.
