The Broncos put together a complete game on Sunday against a Chargers squad that is just in an absolute freefall. With the win and the Kansas City Chiefs' loss against Buffalo, the Broncos are just one game back in the AFC West division.
That was an unfathomable thought not that long ago, but things are certainly trending in the right direction for this team.
The Broncos made the plays they had to make against the Chargers and while it wasn't a pretty victory, the team took advantage of the fact that Justin Herbert had to leave the game and the Chargers just being a mess offensively.
It wasn't all sunshine and roses for these Broncos, as you will see by the player who landed in the loser's category this week, but several players chipped in and helped the team pick up a big divisional win.
Winner: Courtland Sutton
Courtland Sutton didn't have earth-shattering stats in this game, but he did make the play that essentially put the game out of reach.
Sutton caught three passes for 62 yards in the game, but this grab, a 46-yard touchdown which he had to catch with one hand because Chargers defensive back Michael Davis was pulling at his other arm, was incredible.
That gave Sutton 10 touchdown receptions on the year, the first Broncos player to accomplish that feat since 2014. Sutton deserves the recognition for the season is putting together.
Winner: Javonte Williams
Much like Sutton, the statistics for Javonte Williams are not going to blow you away. But he gets the job done and makes timely plays for this team.
Williams rushed for 66 yards on 17 carries and scored the team's first touchdown of the game. He also added three receptions for 25 yards. But he is important to the offensive chemistry of this team as he helps keep things balanced.
Williams' first-quarter touchdown was his first touchdown in two years. So hopefully, he can get that monkey off of his back and find the end zone on a more regular basis.
He also made a huge play in the third quarter of this game. With the Broncos leading 10-0, they faced a 3rd-and-2 from their own 48-yard line. Russell Wilson found Williams out of the backfield on a pass but there was a Chargers defender right there to make the play. Williams used some great footwork to get around him, avoid the tackle, and get a 6-yard gain to prevent another three-and-out.
Why was this so important? Because on the very next play, Wilson threw the touchdown pass to Sutton.
Loser: Jerry Jeudy
You almost have to be kidding me with this guy at this point.
This past week, following a loss to the Houston Texans, one of the headlines that dominated Broncos media was how Wilson just isn't on the same page with Jerry Jeudy. He needs to allow him to get involved in the offense and make plays. Multiple replays were shown of how wide-open he was on a couple of plays against the Texans.
Well, he can't say he wasn't given opportunities in this game.
Wilson seemed to be making a conscious effort early in the game to get the ball down the field to Jeudy and he took a couple of deep shots his way. Two very catchable balls bounced off and out of Jeudy's hands.
Later, he had a catch that was in the end zone and initially ruled a touchdown but replays showed that he didn't drag his second foot which would have ensured a score. In fact, it wasn't even close.
He finished the game with two receptions for 16 yards, which is about an average statline for him.
The Broncos are literally winning games in spite of the former first-round pick. During the broadcast, former NFL quarterback Matt Ryan continually mentioned how he feels that for the Broncos to make a deep run in the playoffs this year, Wilson and Jeudy need to get on the same page.
Sorry, Matt, it seems like the exact opposite of that is true.
Winner: Broncos defense
So as not to end this on a bad note, here's one more winner — the entire defense.
The Broncos have up just seven points in this game and there was plenty of reason to believe that the team would pitch a shutout. The effort on defense was terrific as the team racked up six sacks as a team and forced the Chargers to go 0-for-12 on third down.
Here were a couple of defensive players that stood out in this game:
Jonathan Cooper: Cooper's effort led to the Broncos getting their first points in this game. In the first quarter, he was able to catch a ball that was batted by Baron Browning. With the interception, Cooper returned it inside the 5-yard line to set up the rushing touchdown by Williams. Cooper has turned in a solid season for the team and is a rising star in the league.
Ja'Quan McMillian: How good has this guy been? McMillian finished the game with five tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and a pass deflection. He has been exactly what the doctor ordered in the secondary and is having a tremendous season for the team. He also had a defensive touchdown in this game that was controversially called back when they said Easton Stick's hand was coming forward, eliminating the fumble that McMillian had picked up and run back for a touchdown.
In addition to McMillian, Alex Singleton, Josey Jewell, P.J. Locke, Zach Allen and Justin Simmons each had a sack in this game. That's what you call a team effort.