The Broncos return home looking to snap a three-game losing streak. Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Jets at Empower Field at Mile High.
Live updates
Game analysis
One of the most common refrains among the frustrated is the idea that someway, somehow, the good stuff just has to happen. It just has to.
Luck or skill or brute force matters not. Let good prevail once and all of the struggles will be in the rearview mirror.
Denver head coach Nathaniel Hackett, wide receiver Courtland Sutton and several others in the Broncos locker room Sunday afternoon reached that point in the wake of a fourth consecutive loss, this one a 16-9 home failure against the New York Jets. Read the full game story here. — Parker Gabriel
Fourth-quarter updates
And NOW it’s over (5:23 p.m.): Brett Rypien’s final throw falls incomplete in the end zone. Jets 16, Broncos 9. The Broncos fall to 2-5.
The playoffs are Detroit Lions levels of far away at this point. The worst seven-game start to a season for the Broncos since 2019. — Matt Schubert
Not over yet (5:21 p.m.): The interception has been overturned. We will have to endure at least one play more of the Broncos’ offense. — Matt Schubert
And that might be it (5:19 p.m.): And mercifully, this one comes to an end with a Jets interception. It’s under review, but I’m thinking that won’t get overturned. — Matt Schubert
Early departure (5:13 p.m.): Broncos fans left the stadium in droves after that play, but they are about to get the ball back with 90 seconds to go. No faith, 抖阴apountry? — Matt Schubert
Missed chance (5:12 p.m.): And the Broncos elect to throw the ball into the end zone for Courtland Sutton with Sauce Gardner in coverage. Predictably, it did not work. — Matt Schubert
It comes down to this (5:07 p.m.): Fourth-and-2 at the Jets 25. With three timeouts, the Broncos could still get another shot at the ball. But will they get this close to the end zone again? — Matt Schubert
Greg. Dulcich. (5:03 p.m.): The Broncos’ rookie tight end with the clutch catch for 16 yards to give Denver the first down. — Joe Nguyen
That Cam Fleming (5:02 p.m.): … the same Calvin Anderson who got benched last week after getting torched by the Chargers’ Khalil Mack. Stay on your toes, Ryp! — Kyle Newman
Cam Fleming injured (5:01 p.m.): Left tackle Cam Fleming is down on the field. Looks like Calvin Anderson is going to have to step in. — Matt Schubert
Setting up a comeback? (4:58 p.m.): This is all just setting up for a game-winning drive by Brett Rypien, and then Hackett (making up for the punts on fourth-and-1 this half) going for two to win the game. Right? That, or a cacophony of boos from the home crowd at the end of this one. — Kyle Newman
Jets with the field goal (4:57 p.m.): Tack on another Jets field goal. 16-9 Jets. Could we get a third straight OT game? — Matt Schubert
Penalty on Denver (4:54 p.m.): I take it back. A ROUGH pass interference call has the Jets in business once again at the Denver 31. — Matt Schubert
Another chance? (4:50 p.m.): D.J. Jones with the catch of the day: snagging a holding flag he drew with the Jets driving. And the Broncos offense is going to get another chance to win this thing. Do they dare? — Matt Schubert
Another field goal for New York (4:41 p.m.): That interception proved costed for the Broncos as Greg Zuerlein knocked in a 33-yard field goal to give the Jets a 13-9 lead. — Joe Nguyen
Third-quarter analysis 鈥� Jets 10, Broncos 9
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Denver ran 16 plays in the third quarter: Five rushes and 11 passes. The last? A Brett Rypien INT. Now they may have to throw it in the fourth quarter. The Broncos have one field goal in the third quarter this year. That’s it. Well, that and Jimmy G running out of the back of the end zone.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Remember the whole 鈥渙ne critical mistake鈥� thing with these two quarterbacks? Brett Rypien might鈥檝e just made one. As we start the fourth, it抖阴ap up to the Broncos鈥� D to prevent a first-and-10 at the Denver 37, the direct result of a Rypien pick, from turning a 1-point deficit into something wrose. Trade deadline watch: With Baron Browning now out with a hip injury, if Bradley Chubb WAS on the possibilities of candidates to dangle in a potential swap, that抖阴ap gotta be off the table now.
Mark Kiszla, columnist: I miss DangeRuss. How bout you? Brett Rypien, a fine student of the game, must have studied video of how Russell Wilson聽 runs this offense. Broncos right on pace to score 15-16 points again. Will that be enough to beat the Jets?
Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor: We’re three quarters into this Broncos-Jets game, and I’m pretty certain there have been zero offensive plays run in the red zone. By either team.
Third-quarter updates
A bad decision (4:34 p.m.): Credit Quinnen Williams’ pressure for forcing that bad decision by Brett Rypien. The ball intended for tight end Greg Dulcich but was sent into triple coverage. — Kyle Newman
Rypien picked off (4:32 p.m.): Under pressure in the pocket, Brett Rypien makes his first big mistake of the game: Throwing into double-coverage for an interception. Field position flipped. — Matt Schubert
Flag wars (4:30 p.m.): At least the Broncos, who entered today last in the league in penalties, are winning the flag battle today. The Jets have been penalized 10 times for 75 yards, while the Broncos have drawn three enforced flags for 15 yards. — Kyle Newman
Bonitto time (4:30 p.m.): And Nik Bonitto delivers his first career sack on the ensuing drive. Three-and-out. This thing is destined for 12-10. Book it. — Matt Schubert
Baron Browning injury (4:25 p.m.): Baron Browning is out with a hip injury. Obviously, a big blow to a defense that could scarcely use anymore injuries. Especially to pass rushers. Bonitto Time. — Matt Schubert
Another drive, another punt (4:25 p.m.): Throw another punt on the pile. Where do I find a pillow? Jets 10, Broncos 9 with 4:31 left in the third quarter. — Matt Schubert
Punt city (4:22 p.m.): Two possessions apiece. Two punts apiece. Riveting action here in the third quarter. — Matt Schubert
Mike Boone injury (3:57 p.m.): Broncos running back Mike Boone has been downgraded to out for the rest of the game with his ankle injury. — Matt Schubert
Halftime analysis 鈥� Jets 10, Broncos 9
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos rolled up substantial advantages in plays (39 to 21) time of possession (19:04 to 10:56) and first downs (12-5) but are behind by a point in part because of a pair of missed kicks. Denver starts the second half with the ball. The third quarter has been a disaster for Nathaniel Hackett’s team so far this season. The offense has scored a grand total of three points in 90 total third-quarter minutes. If the home team gets more than that today, it’ll be in decent shape.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Are you not entertained? No? Well, join the club. First team to 17 wins, so this one鈥檚 going as advertised, take it over leave it. Brandon McManus offered up a little redemption, but our points (the field goal from 56 was a long shot, granted) left on the field in this game? Between two teams that lead with their respective defenses? You just hope it doesn鈥檛 come back to bite you on the backside. The Broncos D has been on the field for 19:04 of the game鈥檚 first 30 minutes already. Yikes.
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Jerry Jeudy loves Brett Rypien. But Jets lead 10-9, because he’s not Money McManus today. With players from the Super Bowl championship teams being feted today, I’d check to see if Terrell Davis can carry the rock in the second half. OK, maybe not. How about letting Mike Shanahan call the plays in the fourth quarter?
Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor: The good news: The Broncos scored a touchdown AND the were zero rounds of boos showered upon the home team. The bad news: They are still trailing because the Jets have a couple of really good running backs — including Javonte Williams’ college teammate.
Second-quarter updates
Zuerline gives Jets lead (3:42 p.m.): Veteran kicker Greg Zuerlein gives Jets 10-9 lead over Broncos at the half with a 45-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter. — Kyle Newman
Hall out (3:35 p.m.): Breece Hall ruled out for the rest of the game with a knee injury. — Kyle Newman
Hall injury update (3:31 p.m.): Breece Hall is headed to the locker room on a cart with Jets trainers. — Kyle Newman
Breece Hall hurt (3:27 p.m.): Jets running back Breece Hall laid on the turf for an extended period of time. Not telling any secrets here, but that would be a huge loss for the Jets. — Matt Schubert
Strong play (3:26 p.m.): Thumbs up to the Broncos’ use of the tight ends so far this season. One other thing that has become abundantly clear: Brett Rypien knows how to find Jerry Jeudy. — Matt Schubert
Barn-burner! (3:24 p.m.): Brandon McManus hits a 44-yard field goal — the gusts calming down during the play — to give Broncos a 9-7 lead. — Kyle Newman
Ryp to Jeudy (3:16 p.m.): Huge play from Brett Rypien to Jerry Jeudy, who gained 42 yards on the pass. Denver ball on the Jets 42. — Joe Nguyen
No good (3:07 p.m.): The wind costs the Broncos: Brandon McManus’ 56-yard attempt is pushed wide right by the cross-breeze. The kicker played the fade, but it wasn’t enough, and it faded right. Jets still lead Broncos 7-6. McManus is 0-2 on his two kicks today (one PAT, one field goal). — Kyle Newman
Vic Fangio’s Anti-McManus Long Field Goal posture is aging like fine wine. — Matt Schubert
Ryp runs (3:01 p.m.): On third-and-7, Brett Rypien showed off his legs, scrambling for a 6-1/2-yard run. The next play, he powered up the middle to get a first down. — Joe Nguyen
First-quarter analysis 鈥� Jets 7, Broncos 6
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: So many touchdowns. Well, one apiece, at least. The difference at this point is Corliss Waitman failing to get a clean hold down on Brandon McManus’ extra point attempt. The Broncos gave up one big hit in the run game to Breece Hall, but Zach Wilson and the Jets offense has done nothing otherwise. Now, can Brett Rypien and this under-center, run-oriented offense continue to make some hay? Or even a little hay?
Sean Keeler, columnist: Latavius Murray, bless him, only has two gears left, but at least those gears keep the wheels always chugging forward. These two teams come off like mirror images of each other right now, which means the result probably comes down to which QB DOESN鈥橳 make a critical mistake. Zach Wilson caught a break, kids. With winds blowing up to 15 miles per hour, kicks (come on, Brandon McManus!) and deep balls could be adventurous. Who鈥檚 up for The Game Manager Bowl, presented by Vivint Home Security!
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Stop the merry-go-round, I wanna get off. Two touchdowns? In one quarter? In a game involving the Broncos? Are you kidding me? My head is spinning. I have motion sickness. The action is too intense. One more thought: Quarterback? Brett Rypien for governor. (I approved this message.)
Kyle Newman, beat writer: Brett Rypien doesn’t look half-bad. The Denver defense had a slip-up with the Hall TD run, but besides that, they’ve been great. No more mulligans for that unit, though. This is headed for a 17-16 finish just like Keeler and I predicted!
First-quarter updates
Jones’ sack celebration (2:57 p.m.): Not entirely sure what Dre’Mont Jones was going for on that sack celebration, but I approve. — Matt Schubert
This sack celebration >>> 馃槄 x
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos)
No fumble (2:55 p.m.): Broncos challenge Zach Wilson sack, hoping for an overturned call and a fumble deep in New York territory, but it stands. Nathaniel Hackett now 0-3 in challenges this year. Denver D forces a punt the next play anyways with another sack by Dre’Mont Jones. — Kyle Newman
Latavius Murray scores (2:47 p.m.): Latavius Murray punches it in with a 2-yard scoring run, his first TD with the Broncos, to cap off a nice response drive from Brett Rypien & Co. But Brandon McManus shanks extra point, and the Jets lead 7-6, late first quarter. — Kyle Newman
Latavius Murray gets the on the board.
馃摵: on CBS
馃摫: Stream on NFL+— NFL (@NFL)
Nearly untouched (2:37 p.m.): Baron Browning and Justin Simmons each got a hand on Breece Hall during his TD run, but besides that, the rookie ran nearly untouched down the field to the score. Jets’ offensive line blasted the Broncos’ D-line on that play, and the Broncos’ secondary got blocked up, too. — Kyle Newman
Rare occurrence (2:37 p.m.): That’s the first touchdown that’s been scored in Empower Field in 28 days, five quarters, and one overtime period. — Matt Schubert
Jets’ big run (2:34 p.m.): If the Broncos D has a kryptonite, it’s the run game, especially against an elite tailback… Josh Jacobs toasted them earlier in year in Las Vegas, now rookie Breece Hall gets Jets up 7-0 with 62-yard TD run. — Kyle Newman
THERE GOES THAT MAN. 62 yards to the crib!! on CBS
— New York Jets (@nyjets)
Jeudy returns (2:27 p.m.): Jeudy is back in the game already after missing just one play. — Kyle Newman
Jerry Jeudy hurt (2:26 p.m.): Courtland Sutton missed a block at the line of scrimmage on a bubble screen play, and Jets cornerback DJ Reed blasted Jerry Jeudy, who is down after the play withering in pain. — Kyle Newman
Offense stalls on opening drive (2:15 p.m.): New quarterback, same stagnant offense. Brett Rypien, in for the injured Russell Wilson, had a nice 16-yard pass to Jerry Jeudy on the drive, but after six plays, Denver was forced to punt. — Joe Nguyen
Defensive stop (2:09 p.m.): The Denver defense started strong, forcing the Jets to a three-and-out on their opening drive. — Joe Nguyen
Coin toss (2:04 p.m.): Game captains for the Broncos: Justin Simmons, Dre’Mont Jones, Bradley Chubb and Brandon McManus.
Denver wins the toss and defers. — Parker Gabriel
Pregame updates
Wind conditions (1:58 p.m.): Wind likely to be a factor today. Blowing out of the Southwest at about 25 mph with gusts well past that. Goalposts are moving a bit and it looks like some swirl in the stadium. Certainly could have an impact on the kicking game and has the potential to make life more difficult for quarterbacks Brett Rypien and Zach Wilson. — Parker Gabriel
A new No. 1 (12:39 p.m.): Okwuegbunam has clearly been supplanted as the No. 1 tight end by Greg Dulcich. The Broncos want to see what the rookie Dulcich brings to the table as a playmaker, as Okwuegbunam has been quiet this year. Plus, veterans Eric Saubert and Eric Tomlinson are better blockers than Okwuegbunam, and tight end/fullback Andrew Beck has high special teams value. So Okwuegbunam is the odd man out in terms of tight end roster spots right now. With the trade deadline looming Nov. 1, that’s not a good sign for Okwuegbunam. — Kyle Newman
Broncos inactives (12:37 p.m.): QB Russell Wilson (hamstring), ILB Josey Jewell (knee), CB Essang Bassey (hamstring), S Caden Sterns (hip), TE Albert Okwuegbunam and WR Jalen Virgil are inactive.
Okwuegbunam is a healthy scratch for a second straight week since rookie Greg Dulcich came off the short-term IR. Jewell is missing a second straight game with a knee sprain, meaning Alex Singleton will again start at ILB next to Jonas Griffith and will call the defense. — Parker Gabriel
Quarterback situation (12:15 p.m.): A couple of hours before kickoff, injured quarterback Russell Wilson went through a throwing workout on the field at Empower Field. Wilson, of course, is not playing due to a hamstring injury. He pushed hard to play during the week, but head coach Nathaniel Hackett ultimately decided it was best to give Wilson more time to let his hamstring heal. Wilson threw pregame while Brett Rypien — the Broncos’ starter against the Jets — and practice-squad call-up Josh Johnson warmed up as well. — Parker Gabriel
Scouting report (11 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Jets in Kyle Newman’s scouting report.
Post predictions
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Broncos 18, Jets 13
In search of maximum buzz across the pond, the NFL really wants Russell Wilson to play in London. So give DisasteRuss a week off to let the body and ego heal. Give the start to Brett Rypien, let Brandon McManus beat the J-E-T-S with 1-2-3-4-5-6 field goals and let everyone hop the plane to merry old England wearing a smile.
Kyle Newman, beat writer: Jets 17, Broncos 16
Good luck to Brett Rypien, as this rag-tag offensive line won鈥檛 be up to the task of containing the Jets鈥� dynamic defensive line. The Broncos鈥� D allows a field goal from field positioning, plus a touchdown off a Denver turnover in their own end. But besides that, they鈥檙e dominant, stuffing Breece Hall to no avail as the Denver run game can鈥檛 get going, either. Lots of boo birds at Empower Field on Sunday.
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Jets 20, Broncos 19
The Broncos very much need a win and, ideally, two wins by the time they fly home from London. The Jets, though, are no pushover. Not only are they 4-2 with three road wins, but they鈥檝e got a disruptive defensive front, a talented young running back in Breece Hall and confidence coming off an impressive win at Green Bay last week. Denver, meanwhile, has two touchdowns in three home games. There鈥檚 no reason the Broncos can鈥檛 win this game, but it抖阴ap a believe-it-when-you-see-it situation at this point.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Jets 17, Broncos 16
To Russ, or not to Russ. Will it matter? The J-E-T-S defense is at its strongest (pass rush, cornerback) where the Broncos鈥� offense is at its weakest right now. You realize that if the Orange & Blue had scored at least 18 points 鈥� JUST 18! 鈥� in each of their first six games, they鈥檇 be 5-1 right now? Chances are, neither team gets to that number Sunday without some help.
Broncos-Jets NFL Week 7: Must reads
Broncos鈥� Russell Wilson out against Jets with hamstring injury
Denver will be without quarterback Russell Wilson on Sunday against the Jets.
Wilson, who suffered a hamstring injury late in regulation on Monday night during a loss to the Chargers, will miss just the fourth start of his career, the Broncos announced Saturday morning.
With Wilson ruled out, backup Brett Rypien is in line to make his first start of the season and the second of his career. The quarterbacks split repetitions with the No. 1 offense in practice throughout the week. — Parker Gabriel
Broncos 鈥渓ooking for continuity鈥� on offensive line, set to start Cam Fleming and Billy Turner at tackle
Denver鈥檚 first outing without left tackle Garret Bolles turned into a little bit of a mix-and-match affair up front.
The Broncos, having lost their anchor on Russell Wilson鈥檚 blind side to a fractured leg earlier in the month against Indianapolis, used three different tackle pairs over the course of a 19-16 overtime loss to the Chargers on Monday night.
The plan going forward is to avoid so much shuffling 鈥� if possible. — Parker Gabriel
Frustrated Broncos defense out to 鈥渉old up our end of the bargain鈥� while offense looks for footing
As good as Denver鈥檚 defense has played, it hasn鈥檛 translated into victories due in part to the Broncos having the worst-scoring offense in the league. Denver (2-4) is going to need more dominating defense while the offense works out its issues to keep the season afloat.
Denver doesn鈥檛 just have a rookie cornerback trying to find his way but an entire offensive unit that continues to wobble. The Broncos enter Week 7 having scored just six touchdowns in six games. Returning home to face the New York Jets doesn鈥檛 come as much reprieve, considering Denver has scored two touchdowns and 13 points per game in three outings at Empower Field.
Having lost consecutive overtime games in which its defense allowed a grand total of one touchdown, the Broncos face the Jets and Jacksonville before their bye week. When the schedule came out in May, these games were presumed victories for an expected playoff team. Now they feel more like a tipping point in a season heading off the rails. — Parker Gabriel
