November 25th 2024.
Let's take a closer look at how the Denver Broncos' group of rookie players performed in their recent game against the Las Vegas Raiders, which ended in a 29-19 victory for Denver. There were some standout moments for the Broncos, particularly from their quarterback Bo Nix, who has been consistently producing impressive plays week after week. In the third quarter, Nix threw a stunning pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who managed to make a difficult 18-yard touchdown catch, giving the Broncos a lead of 16-13. Another rookie to keep an eye on is wide receiver Devaughn Vele, who continues to prove that he may have been one of the draft's best steals. Vele, who was selected in the seventh round, caught six passes for 80 yards in this game.
However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for Nix. He had three passes that could have been easily intercepted by the Raiders. Additionally, first-year edge rusher Jonah Elliss struggled in coverage, allowing 49 yards and a touchdown on three targets, resulting in a perfect passer rating of 158.3 for the Raiders, according to NFL's Next Gen Stats.
Looking ahead, Nix has certainly helped his chances of winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, but he's not the only one in the running. Washington's quarterback Jayden Daniels also had a strong performance in a close loss to the Cowboys. Nix threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns in this game, while Daniels had 275 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. It seems likely that the race for Offensive Rookie of the Year will come down to these two talented quarterbacks.
One player who may not have received as much attention or recognition in this game is safety Brandon Jones. His interception in the third quarter gave the Broncos a much-needed boost of energy. On the Raiders' first drive of the second half, quarterback Gardner Minshew threw an interception directly into Jones' hands, resulting in a 37-yard return to the Raiders' 18-yard line. This turnover led to 10 straight points for the Broncos and forced the Raiders to punt on consecutive drives.
In other news, the Broncos' starting right tackle, Mike McGlinchey, had a rough start to the game. He committed three penalties, including two holding calls, in the first quarter alone. McGlinchey struggled to contain edge rusher Maxx Crosby, giving up four pressures, three of which came from Crosby, according to NFL's Next Gen Stats.
Overall, the Broncos were able to come out on top in this game thanks to some strong performances from their rookies and some crucial plays from their unsung hero, Brandon Jones. If you're looking for more Broncos news, be sure to sign up for the Broncos Insider newsletter to stay updated on all of our NFL analysis.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
