The Denver Broncos have defeated the Los Angeles Chargers by a score of 24-7 and grabbed their sixth win of their last seven games and seventh win on the season. In a variety of ways, it was a dominant victory for the Denver Broncos, more particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Entering the contest with a 6-6 record, the Broncos discovered a much brighter path to the postseason with a much-needed win over their division rival on the road.
Stock UP after Chargers win
RB Javonte Williams
Following Sunday's victory at SoFi Stadium, the Broncos are now 11-3 when running back Javonte Williams receives 15 or more rushing attempts in games. Sean Payton's recipe for success has been a very simple one: Create takeaways, run the ball efficiently, and manage the passing game well through play-action. Williams made that recipe just much easier for the teammates around him as he garnered 17 carries for 66 yards and added three receptions to pair with 25 yards through the air. The third-year stud continues to punish defenses with his hard-earned yards after contact and thus makes opposing defenders respect Denver's play-action. Williams' value to Denver's offense cannot be overstated enough.
WR Courtland Sutton
Somehow, some way wide receiver Courtland Sutton manages to surprise us all with his absurd touchdown catches week in and week out. The veteran wideout's ability to make highlight reel-type catches once a week is simply ridiculous and not talked about enough amongst mainstream media accounts. Reeling in three receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown this week should come as no surprise to any Broncos fans, however. His talent is undeniable and pretty much solidified his spot as the team's best receiver on the roster.
More stock UP after Chargers win
CB Ja'Quan McMillian
Broncos second-year nickel cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian is an all-around incredible football player. From sound coverage to effective blitzing, he can truly do it all and should be awarded a selection into the 2024 Pro Bowl as a result. In Sunday's win, McMillian totaled five tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, a pass breakup, and two quarterback hits.
The 23-year-old corner also had an interception negated by a penalty and a strip sack that led to a recovery returned for a touchdown brought back. His impact on the field for Vance Joseph's defense is truly surreal and the rate at which he is making game-changing plays is undoubtedly outstanding. McMillian has not only blossomed into one of the best players on the Broncos' defense but also one of the better slot corners in football.
LB Alex Singelton
What a bounce-back game from veteran linebacker Alex Singleton on Sunday evening. After some poor decisions made in the Week 13 loss in Houston, Singleton played some smart, disciplined football in Los Angeles helping Denver's defense effectively stop the run on multiple occasions. Just days after his 30th birthday, Singleton recorded an impressive 14 tackles, one sack, one pass breakup, and one tackle for loss in the win.
G Ben Powers
First-year Broncos left guard Ben Powers has been an exciting addition to Denver's offensive line this season and proved so again against a talented Chargers defensive line. Powers put together a clinic consistently opening holes for running back Javonte Williams and even quarterback Russell Wilson on a key third down conversion late in the fourth quarter. Powers deserves a lot of credit for the offensive line's bounce-back performance after last week's poor showing in Houston.
Denver Broncos Stock DOWN
WR Jerry Jeudy
It is no secret that fourth-year receiver Jerry Jeudy had a rough performance in Los Angeles following a noisy week in the media. Just a week after displaying visible frustration over a lack of targets in Houston, Jeudy failed to capitalize off of multiple opportunities that quarterback Russell Wilson awarded him throughout the game. Jeudy failed to properly catch a deep ball in the first half and also failed to keep both of his feet in bounds on what would have been a touchdown reception to end the first half. Overall, it was certainly a forgettable performance for the former first-round pick with high expectations.
CB Fabian Moreau
While he certainly did not have the worst performance, veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau is starting to finally show some weaknesses against opposing offenses. In back-to-back weeks, Moreau has been beaten in man coverage for significant deep balls that have resulted in touchdown drives. If not for allowing a 57-yard reception to Chargers first-round pick Quentin Johnston, the Broncos would have likely shut out the Chargers on the road.
Johnston, covered by Moreau, also went on to total three receptions for 91 yards in the contest having the best game of his rookie season, despite being labeled as an early bust by NFL fans and media. Moreau's coverage against deep-route running will certainly have to improve if he wishes to re-sign with the Denver Broncos in 2024.