Merry Christmas, Broncos Country!
On this week’s Broncos Wire podcast, I joined host Ryan O’Leary to discuss Sean Payton blowing up at Russell Wilson last week, Denver’s running back situation, the AFC playoff picture and a Christmas Eve showdown with the Patriots.
You can listen to episode No. 100 below:
Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
Our notes for this week’s pod can be seen below.
Does Sean Payton hate Russell Wilson?
- In the 3rd quarter of Saturday’s game against the Lions, NFL Network cameras spotted Payton yelling at Wilson on the sideline.
- Denver failed to score three plays in a row and then had a touchdown nullified by guard Quinn Meinerz lining up in the neutral zone. It doesn’t seem like Wilson himself had done anything wrong, but Payton let him have it.
- Maybe Wilson was supposed to change the play? Some people have guessed that he ran a play too quickly, not allowing Payton to challenge a previous play? Neither of those guesses have been confirmed by Payton or Wilson.
- Payton insists that he was just angry about the situation and was yelling in the heat of the moment. Do we believe him? Was it pent up frustration that he has with Wilson that came out during a blowout loss?
Should the Broncos make a change at running back?
- Javonte Williams hasn’t seemed to return to his old form since his 2023 knee injury. His yards per carry over the last seven games: 2.3, 3.9, 3.5, 3.6, 3.4, 3.8, 3.1.
- Samaje Perine, meanwhile, averaged 6.2 YPC on Sunday and 4.0 YPC the week before that. It’s obviously a much smaller sample size, and game situation does impact the averages, but Perine has looked like a better running back over the last few weeks.
- Perine is also the team’s best receiving back and best pass blocker.
- Long-term, I think Javonte will bounce back next year and be the team’s best RB1 option. For the final three games of 2023, though, maybe the Broncos should ride the hot hand and give Perine more carries.
Playoff update: No room for error now
- The Broncos can still make the NFL playoffs with a 10-7 record, but they need to win out and get a little bit of help.
- vs. Patriots (3-11), vs. Chargers (5-9), @ Raiders (6-8).
- Consultation if they miss the playoffs? Watching Saturday’s game against a legit team made be wonder if Denver would get embarrassed in the Wild Card round if they squeak into the playoffs. Obviously it would depend on the matchup and I’m still rooting for a playoff berth, but I’m a little bit more hesitant about the playoff-worthiness of the Broncos after 42-17.
The Patriots are coming to town on Christmas Eve
- Broncos are listed as 6-point favorites. The over/under for total points scored is 34.5 (New England games average 34.7 this year / Broncos 46.8).
- I honestly am a little worried about the Patriots. Bill’s defense is still a formidable foe and Denver’s offense has been up and down. This could definitely be an ugly, low-scoring game. Merry Christmas, everybody!
Ryan and I will return each week during the season to react to every game.
If you enjoy this podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!
You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.
