3. Adam Gotsis benched, Mike Purcell activated
After giving up an unacceptable amount of rushing yards to the Jacksonville Jaguars a week ago, Fangio decided to make a change on the defensive line and activate the guy who just might be the team’s best run-stuffing defensive lineman — Mike Purcell.
Purcell showed well against the run in preseason play, which really helped earn him a roster spot in Denver, and the Highland’s Ranch native came through in a big way against the Chargers.
His impact went beyond the box score as Purcell had just one tackle and a quarterback hit on Philip Rivers, but the Broncos surrendered just 35 rushing yards total on 16 attempts for the Chargers, including 31 yards on 12 carries by Melvin Gordon, who was getting his first significant action of the season.
The Broncos shut it down, and Purcell was a big reason why, literally.
Purcell’s ability to set the tone in the middle of the defensive line was sorely missed by the Broncos and having him back, even at the expense of Adam Gotsis, was essential.
The Broncos will only dress five defensive linemen, and if Purcell is producing like this, Gotsis is going to continue to be the odd man out as DeMarcus Walker is good for a tackle for loss or sack per week this season (at least), and Dre’Mont Jones is coming off two straight games where he’s providing consistent pressure and was also credited with a blocked field goal against the Chargers.