Jeudy returns to Broncos lineup
His ability to stretch field has been missed
DENVER — The Denver Broncos need to beat the Washington Football Team on Sunday to avoid the franchise’s first winless October since 1967. With his team stuck in a fourgame tailspin, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suggested, “It’s not time to panic—but it almost is.”
Hogwash, star linebacker Von Miller shot back a day later.
“It’s time to sound an alarm,” Miller insisted. “The time is now to win. The sense of urgency has to be at an all-time high.”
Maybe receiver Jerry Jeudy will jolt the Broncos (3-4) back into the win column.
He returns to the lineup against Washington (2-5) on Sunday after recovering from a high right ankle sprain he suffered on opening weekend at the Meadowlands.
“It’ll open some things up for everyone in this offense having a guy like Jerry back,” Bridgewater said. “We’re excited that he’s going to be out there.”
“It’s great,” concurred Miller. “Jerry Jeudy, he’s one of a kind.”
The Broncos have sorely missed Jeudy’s ability to stretch the field, especially after fellow second-year speedster KJ Hamler (ACL) went on IR last month and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam pulled a hamstring.
“They’re adding a playmaker: talented, talented player, a talented receiver,” Washington defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio said.
Washington is also punching that panic button after three straight losses that has the team teetering on triviality just like the Broncos are.
Del Rio’s unit ranks dead last in points allowed per game (30), passing yards average (300.6) and opponents’ third-down proficiency (56.9%).
This week’s action began with Green Bay beating previously undefeated Arizona 24-21 on Thursday night. Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes to Randall Cobb and the Packers won after Kyler Murray’s stunning late interception. The Cardinals looked like they were going to rally to win their eighth straight game but Murray threw an interception on second-and-goal with 12 seconds left. A.J. Green didn’t expect the pass to come his way, never turned around and Green Bay’s Rasul Douglas was there to snatch the ball in the corner of the end zone.
Off this week are Baltimore (5-2) and Las Vegas (5-2).
TAMPA BAY (6-1) AT NEW ORLEANS (4-2): The Saints swept the regular-season meetings last season before the Bucs won at New Orleans in the playoffs. Since then Tampa Bay and Tom Brady have been almost unstoppable. Brady leads the NFL in completions (203), passing yards (2,275) and TD passes (21). In 11 road starts since joining the Bucs in 2020, the seven-time Super Bowl champion has thrown for 3,514 yards, 28 TDs and three interceptions.
New Orleans quarterback Jameis Winston makes his first start against the franchise that drafted him first overall in 2015.
TENNESSEE (5-2) AT INDIANAPOLIS (3-4): If the Titans follow up impressive victories over Buffalo and Kansas City with a strong road win, they could become the favorite for the AFC’s top seed and only playoff bye. This could come down to which team’s run defense can be effective. Tennessee’s Derrick Henry needs 131 yards rushing for his fourth straight 1,000-yard season and had 113 yards rushing against the Colts in a September win. Indy’s RB Jonathan Taylor has rushed for 50 or more yards in 13 straight games, the second-longest active streak behind Henry (32).
CINCINNATI (5-2) AT NEW YORK JETS (1-5): New York’s 27th-ranked defense faces what is becoming a powerhouse offense. Bengals rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase had eight catches for 201 yards and a touchdown in Cincinnati’s signature victory over Baltimore. The Bengals are second in the NFL in yards per pass play (9.22) and third in yards per play (6.2).
The Jets not only come off one of their worst defeats, a pile-it-on 54-13 loss at New England, but Mike White will make his first career start at quarterback.
PITTSBURGH (3-3) AT CLEVELAND (4-3): What better way for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to equal his predecessor, Hall of Famer Bill Cowher, in victories than by beating rival Cleveland? Cowher went 149-901 from 1992-2006 and Tomlin is 14881-1 since 2007.
Cleveland has won two of the past three in the series, including last season’s playoff matchup. Their starting quarterback is uncertain with Baker Mayfield having missed last week’s win over Denver with left shoulder problems.
NEW ENGLAND (3-4) AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (4-2): The Patriots rarely flinch when they encounter lightning bolts. But they built almost all of their recent success — six straight wins against the Chargers and nine in the past 10 meetings — with Brady on hand.
These Chargers are a much more talented bunch, though 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert had by far his worst outing against New England last season.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (6-1) AT HOUSTON (1-6): Even if Tyrod Taylor is healthy enough to return as Texans quarterback, this could get very ugly. Houston hasn’t been able to move the ball and doesn’t have the playmakers to challenge LA’s defense, which hasn’t been great, but can be with Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey leading the way.
Rams receiver Cooper Kupp had 10 receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns last week to give him at least two TD catches in four of the Rams’ first seven games.
MIAMI (1-6) AT BUFFALO (4-2): Josh Allen loves the sight of Dolphins blue. After losing his first career meeting against Miami in 2018, Allen has six straight wins in which he’s gone 113 for 178 for 1,500 yards with 17 TDs passing and three TDs rushing. Buffalo has won the past six matchups by an average score of 39-19. In those six games, the Bills have 14 takeaways (seven fumbles,
seven interceptions), made 22 sacks and have only once allowed 100 yards rushing.
The Dolphins are 6-0 on Halloween. CAROLINA (3-4) AT ATLANTA (3-3): While the A-T-L is paying close attention to the World Series, the Falcons could continue their revitalization — though their victories are against opposition with a combined 4-16 mark.
Carolina’s main chores will be righting quarterback Sam Darnold’s trajectory and slowing down rookie tight end Kyle Pitts. The fourth overall draft choice set a franchise record at his position with 163 yards receiving on seven catches in last week’s victory over Miami. He’s on pace for the most productive season by a rookie tight end in NFL history. SAN FRANCISCO (2-4) AT CHICAGO (3-4): Two teams heading in the wrong direction.
The Niners have been flagged for a league-worst 14 pass interference calls, costing them 250 yards. San Francisco was 1 for 11 on third downs in a loss to Indianapolis and is converting a league-low 16.7% over the past three games. The 49ers turned over the ball four times last week.
Chicago is the only team averaging more yards rushing (131) than passing (a pitiful 124.4).
JACKSONVILLE (1-5) AT SEATTLE (2-5): The Jaguars are rested off their bye after their first victory. Seattle, still without quarterback Russell Wilson, is 2-5 for the first time since the 2011 season when they were 2-6. Seattle has started a season 0-3 at home for the first time since 1992.
PHILADELPHIA (2-5) AT DETROIT (0-7): Not exactly a headline game. Detroit is the NFL’s only winless team and has lost 11 straight, going back to Dec. 6, 2020. Philadelphia has been penalized a league-high 58 times this season. NEW YORK GIANTS (2-5) AT KANSAS CITY (3-4), Monday night: You might think the slumping, pressing Chiefs would welcome a visit from the mediocre Giants. Nope.
The Giants have dominated the series, winning 11 of 14 meetings and five of the past six. They also come in as one of two teams with a takeaway in every game — and the Chiefs are an incredulous minus-10 in turnover margin. Patrick Mahomes already has three more interceptions (nine) this season than all of last season.