Mile High Monday: Ground game powers the Broncos to emotional win

The Denver Broncos were able to put the hammer down on the Detroit Lions in Week 14. This should come as no surprise; not only because the Lions have only won one game, but also because they were missing about 20 players due to injuries and COVID protocol.

I like when the Broncos can get a win – even over a team like the hapless Lions. Monday morning seems to be brighter after a Broncos win.

I also like contemplating life and sports when driving around with the top down on my old Jeep TJ! The following is a result of those trips during the week.

Buckle up, let’s take a ride through my thoughts.

***

#LLDT

The Broncos made a special gesture to honor former wide receiver Demaryius Thomas on Sunday. In fact, they did quite a few things to remember Thomas who surprisingly passed away last Thursday night. They had a memorial outside of the stadium, they had a moment of silence, they made a video tribute and they even had a big “88” painted on the Broncos sideline.

However, it was what they did during the game – right at the start – which was my favorite. On the first play of the game against the Lions, the Broncos only lined up with 10 players in honor of Thomas. His former teammate, wide receiver Courtland Sutton, was kneeling on the sideline as the crowd roared in acknowledgement of what the team was doing.

The play drew a delay of game penalty as the Broncos did not snap the ball, but the Lions did not accept the penalty in a respectful gesture themselves.

🙏 8️⃣8️⃣ 🙏#LLDT 🕊 pic.twitter.com/Y2U4MgUpQ1

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 12, 2021

I will never forget Thomas and what he did for the Broncos, Broncos Country and the community around Denver. Thomas was a kind and gentle soul with a million-dollar smile. He was always positive and a positive influence on those around him – not just players but everyone Thomas came in contact with was better for having known him.

I was the first person to interview Thomas in person from the Denver media market. He was drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, and I was there at Radio City Music Hall to cover the event for The Fan. That was my first draft in person, and I was over the moon to be there in New York City for the first time in my life. Thomas was the first Broncos player I saw walk across that stage in what has become an annual tradition for me. I raced backstage after the pick to talk to a young Thomas who was eager to prove himself in the pros.

Watching him flourish as a pro was a joy – and I always go back to how he rose to the challenge that quarterback Peyton Manning gave him. Manning put the pressure on Thomas to play better, and he became one of the best in the league. Thomas would fight through injuries, and I’d see him during the week of practice where he could barely walk – let alone run and catch passes. However, on Sunday he would show up and show out on nearly a weekly basis.

Thomas was a special player, and I liked the extra gesture of having 10 men on the field to start the game for the Broncos. #LLDT indeed!

***

Run and Score

The Broncos ran all over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13, but they did not win. That led some in the media – on The Fan specifically, as I don’t listen to any other stations so I have no idea what their “hot takes” are – to say that the Broncos need to open up the passing game because you can’t run to score in today’s NFL.

What a crock of… well, you know, it’s a crock.

They can run and score, so that’s what they did against the Lions on Sunday. Melvin Gordon was back in the lineup after missing the game against the Chiefs, and he could not be stopped. Gordon ended up with 24 carries for 111 yards and two rushing touchdowns – his second 100-yard day of the season. He was running swiftly and with confidence even though he was limited in practice all week with a hip injury. Gordon even had to come out of the game against the Lions for a little bit due to a hand injury. No matter, he returned and continued to lead the way for the Broncos.

Javonte Williams, my No. 1 back in this draft class, did not miss a beat even though he was once again relegated to backup duty. I’m not sure that’s the best way to put it because Gordon is the “1” while Williams is the “1A” for this offense. Williams showed off his trademark power and run-after-contact ability on his way to 73 yards on 15 carries with one rushing touchdown. He also chipped in with one catch for 10 yards and one receiving touchdown. Williams has the ability to do more when called upon like he did last week, but there was plenty of production there – and scores – when he was working in tandem with Gordon on Sunday.

Keep doing it until they stop you. #Broncos clearing the way on the GROUND! where are those saying you can't run and score?!?! LOL a silly opinion to be sure. @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) December 12, 2021

To me, Broncos football is all about running the ball on offense. The team needs an identity in addition to being a defensive team under Vic Fangio. If that identity is toughness and running the ball, then that sounds about right to me.

The Broncos are still in the playoff hunt. When the NFL gets to this time of year there is a transition to running the ball more. Denver is already there because of the identity they’ve forged with Gordon and Williams. Who knows if they’ll make the postseason, but running the ball early and often – with scoring – is the best way they can make it there.

***

Continue Doing More

Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb is not a bust. Sure, he’s not lived up to his top-five draft status, but that’s been mostly due to injuries. He has missed most of the 2021 season, but Chubb has been back in action for three weeks. During that time, he’s done more and more each week.

Against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12, Chubb played 30 snaps but did not end up in the box score. No matter the category, Chubb was nowhere to be found. It was a disappointing return to be sure, but he needed to shake off a lot of rust.

When the team played the Chiefs last week, Chubb played 38 snaps and ended up with two tackles and one assist. That was an improvement and it shows that Chubb is getting his legs back under him. While some predicted he would get sacks and he needed to make an impact that way, I was just wanting him to show progress – and he did just that.

Against the Lions, Chubb did not register a sack, but he did have one quarterback hit on Jared Goff. Add in his three tackles, and you’re slowly seeing progress. Yes, the Lions were outmatched but no, I didn’t need to see Chubb wreck this game. Again, he needs to show progress and he’s doing that. Chubb was limited during the week of practice, and hopefully their plan to keep him as fresh as possible works out next week as the team is still in the playoff chase.

Bradley Chubb (⁦@astronaut)⁩ taking a moment to honor Demaryius Thomas #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/aX9JFfFIDE

— Nick Rothschild (@nick_rothschild) December 12, 2021

The Broncos picked up Chubb’s fifth-year option, so he will be back in 2022. It’s a contract year for Chubb, so hopefully he stays healthy and starts playing up to the potential we saw from him as a rookie. So far this year, Chubb is doing more and more each week. It may not be long before he notches his first sack of the season.

***

Return to Tatooine

The month of December is going to be a big one for nerds like me. Things kick off this week with the Spider-man “No Way Home” movie hitting theaters on Thursday. After that, the new film “Matrix: Resurrections” is on HBO Max and theaters on Dec. 22. Then, we get the nerd event I am most excited for, the Disney-plus series “The Book of Boba Fett” on Dec. 24.

Boba Fett is one of my favorite characters in Star Wars. He’s been one of my favorites since I first saw him in the God awful “Star Wars Holiday Special” in the late ’70s – yes, I’m that old. I saved up the proof of purchases on Star Wars action figures to send off for Fett’s action figure. At first, he was not available in stores but only via mail-in coupons. He immediately became my second-favorite action figure (behind Chewbacca of course) in my Star Wars collection.

I am so looking forward to seeing how Fett got out of the Sarlacc Pit, where we last saw him in the “Return of the Jedi” and how he’s going to take over for Jabba The Hutt. This series will be full of fan favorites, and I hope we get to see something teased (but never realized) in the Clone Wars – a duel between Fett and bounty hunter Cad Bane. Add in all the other Easter eggs and plot points we’ll see, and I am likely to love this show more than the mega-popular “Mandalorian” series.

This month, return to the sands of Tatooine.

The Book of @BobaFett, an all-new Original series, starts streaming December 29 on @DisneyPlus. #TheBookOfBobaFett pic.twitter.com/Cch0qQ4Qz1

— Star Wars (@starwars) December 8, 2021

Are you excited about “The Book of Boba Fett” on Disney-plus? Hit me up on social media and let me know!

Follow @CecilLammey