Broncos INSANE 9th Straight Win, AFC Playoff Picture & More | Broncos X & O’s Ft. Justin Simmons

Broncos INSANE 9th Straight Win, AFC Playoff Picture & More | Broncos X & O’s Ft. Justin Simmons

Nine games in a row, I’ve never done it, is insane. Yeah, I think I think people are going to talk about strength of schedule, you know, whatever catching teams at this point, whatever it is, but like nine games in a row is insane. And I think like you’re asking about my thoughts on last night’s game. I think as each game goes, this team is gaining more and more confidence in the fourth quarter. You can say what you want for the first three quarters, but in the fourth quarter, everyone on that Broncos sideline knows we’re winning this game. [Music] All right, everybody. Welcome back to another episode of Broncos X’s and Knows. Dave is out because he is going to his eighth straight state championship. Wow. So, shout out to Dave Logan and Cherry Creek football. But we got a special guest, Justin Simmons. Eight-year veteran with the Broncos. He played nine years so far, but played eight years for the Broncos. How many All pros do you have in there? Uh, four. Four all pros. How many Pro Bowls? Two. Two. And two Pro Bowls. I’d rather take the All Pros, right, than the Pro Bowls? Yeah, you want the All Pro. Okay. Well, Justin Simmons is sitting in for Dave. And this is an honor for me to just sit here, talk ball, chop it up with Justin. We played one year together and just an incredible teammate, incredible person. He’s been a guest on this show before, but somebody who has elite elite ball knowledge and somebody also who played under Shawn Payeyton as well, like myself. So, Justin, welcome to the show, my brother. Benny, that is an insane introduction, first of all. So, thank you. Um, to all the viewers, I’m going to try my best to fill Dave’s shoes, but as we all know, that’s impossible. So, just excited to be here. Thanks for having me. Absolutely, man. Sunday Night Football, Broncos got a win. 27 to 26, bro. They have won nine games in a row. They are now sitting at 10 and two. I know that you would love to be back in that locker room on a team like this, especially cuz you you had some heartache in your career here. You beat I guess you were you on the team that beat the Chiefs? First time beating the Chiefs. Yeah. Yeah. So you are saying that but I was first time though. Yes. Yes. But regardless, Broncos are playing extremely well right now. Just your first initial thoughts on how the game went yesterday. I think first of all, we were talking about this pre-show. Nine games in a row, I’ve never done it, is insane. I think I think people are going to talk about strength of schedule, you know, whatever catching teams at this point, whatever it is, but like nine games in a row is insane. And I think like you’re asking about my thoughts on last night’s game. I think as each game goes, this team is gaining more and more confidence in the fourth quarter. You can say what you want for the first three quarters, but in the fourth quarter, everyone on that Broncos sideline knows we’re winning this game. It’s no longer like we hope, we’ll see. it’s we’re winning. That is an insane stat. So, that’s my thoughts on last night’s game. That is insane. You bring up something really important. I think confidence is one of the most important things that you can have, not only in life, but also and especially in sports. And you talked about at the end of the game that these guys to me, I see the same thing you see. They don’t blink. They don’t flinch. It’s like, “Oh, we got to go into overtime. Fine. We’re ready to do that.” Shawn dials up four or five great passing play calls and then R.J. Harvey runs it in for a touchdown. I thought Bo, it wasn’t the the cleanest game, but 29 to 45, 321 yards passing, one TD, one interception. The interception was a little weird cuz he threw it straight to Bobby Wagner. I don’t know what he was seeing right there. And never I’m not going to criticize him too much cuz I never played quarterback and you know how hard it is to play Oh, yeah. quarterback just in in the NFL. But I definitely saw a more confident and poised Bo. And then coming off a by-week, I think Shawn dialed up some things really well yesterday. Uh, but what did you see from the defense? You’ve played under Vance Joseph, you played under Shawn Peyton. What did you see from the defense yesterday? I was surprised. How hard is it to play against the backup quarterback and then also a guy like Marcus Mariota who can extend the play? Yeah, it’s difficult. There are a lot of similarities in my opinion between Jayen Daniels and and Mariota. I think obviously Mariota’s had more experience. Um he’s had success in his career. Uh and so when you when you have a guy like that come in, you don’t want you’re not treating him like a normal backup quarterback. And so I think we saw that throughout the game, right? Like I don’t think Denver, at least from what I watched just on the TV, I didn’t look at the all 22. I don’t think they blitzed nearly as much as they’re used to. That could have been a Mariota thing. That could have been a Cliff Kingsbury thing. um cuz he was a head coach with Arizona when BJ was at DC. That could have been the chess match that they were playing with each other. Um you also saw that like really on first to second down it was run RPO quick game. Um a lot of respect for Denver’s defensive front getting after the quarterback. They’re saying we’re not going to let you get to Mariota. Um and then on top of that on third down they took their shots when they needed to. Aggressive but controlled shots. And I think that kind of backed off some of the pressure that Denver was used to having. It wasn’t their best game defensively, but again, when it came down to the fourth quarter and it came down to the defense needs to stop on this two-point conversion to win the game, whether the guy was open or not, they found a way to win the football game. And that is impressive to me. With with Washington’s offense or just offenses in general going against now this Denver defense, is that the way to kind of slow the pass rush down? Is that should we as fans and people who are watching the game now, should we expect quick passing game? Is that the way how do you how will people start attacking this defense? Because regardless, people got to play it for the next five weeks and then in the playoffs, is it the quick passing game? How do you how do you slow down the pass rush? How do you stay away from Pat Certan? Yeah, and it is it is the quick passing game, but and again, but it’s the cat and mouse, right? cuz as you know and and I’m sure most viewers know like every defense can be beat with an offensive play call and so you got to call the right calls at the right time. Um you got to have a feel for endgame adjustments and I think sometimes that’s just a specific OC uh trait that not a lot of those guys have. And Vance Joseph is extremely smart on dialing up his blitzes when he needs to. What guys can come free? I mean, we saw Huanga coming off the edge multiple times through the B gap, through the C gap, making plays in the back field, disrupting the run game. Um, so like, yes, I think I think teams are going to try and adapt this philosophy that Kingsberry uh had and and the quick game and maybe some design quarterback runs if your quarterback can run the football, but it doesn’t necessarily give you the formula to success. I mean, it’s a stack defense that sometimes is there’s only so much you can do. You you talk about Hufunga and I want to ask you a little bit of a of a personal question. I wanted you to go back to your one of your allp pro years. What was it like for you in terms of your daily preparation, the things that went well during games? Because I think Huang is playing at an allp pro level. At least from what I see, I feel like he’s playing, he’s the best safety in the AFC, if not the NFL right now. You know that position obviously extremely well. You might know of other safeties right now who are playing some elite ball right now, but what was that like for you during your allp pro season? What was working so well for you to get all pro honors and then what do you think that he’s doing really well? Yeah, I think it’s difficult. I think a lot of the times as as fans of the game, we just immediately go and look at the box score and then that’s where we choose to put our allp pro bowl votes. If you actually watch Denver play and espec especially their defense, I no doubt do I agree that Huang is playing at an allp pro level, he is an eraser. He’s making plays in the back end that are PBUS, should be interceptions. He’s making 10 yard runs um stopping them from being 20 yard runs, 30 yard runs. Um he’s closing the distance and make sometimes even making them like five yard runs. If you actually watch the tape on watching Huanga play, he is certainly playing at an allp pro level. It is insane watching this guy. And there’s no doubt like it’s unfortunate he had injuries earlier on his career, but you’re seeing why he was a first team all pro with San Fran, while he was a pro bowler. Um while he was making game-changing plays, it seemed like Thursday, Monday, and Sunday night football. So, no doubt is he is he playing at all pro level. I think sometimes you’re just in flow state. Like, yeah, your preparation and everything throughout the week doesn’t necessarily change too much, but on game day, you’re just in a you’re just in another world where just things are slowing down. The plays are a lot easier to to diagnose and recognize and you’re just able to attack and make those plays. And I think that’s what you’re seeing from him. Thoughts on, and this obviously very controversial for all of Broncos country, but I actually thought Riley played a pretty decent game yesterday. You give up the one big play to Debo Samuel, but he had a couple of PBUS early in the first half and I think one early in the second half. Thoughts on Riley and his overall game yesterday? I think the I think the first thing to address was uh no PIs, no defensive holdings. I think um and and rightfully so. Like there’s a lot of people criticizing that aspect of his game and um after the big win at home, media asked him about it. He said, “I’m going to get that cleaned up.” And by no means is the season over, but this game none of that. So I think credit is due there. Whether that’s from the coaching staff, from Riley himself, like the credit is due. There are some big play I mean that the the Burks catch in the back of the end zone. I dude, that’s just an insane catch. He he played it perfect. Um he had a he had a couple nice PBUs. He came up and stopped the run a few times. You know, that play there at the end with Debo Samuels was uh was a tough one. I obviously thought he could have played that better, but again, and I’m always going to be the defense’s biggest critic cuz that’s just how I operated when I played. He got the tackle and they won the game. Yeah. I don’t think I think people look over that that type of thing. Like you always from a film standpoint, when you’re in a meeting room, it’s like, give us one more down. That was the mentality. Just give us one more down and we’ll change the game. If he doesn’t make that tackle, who knows what happens, but he did. and and it caused Nick Bonito to make that huge PBU at the end of the game and they ended up winning it. So, yeah, huge congrats to to the team and I thought yeah, Riley wasn’t his best game, but I thought there was improvements there and I think that’s worth noting. Yeah, I think yeah, you you point out some some really good you that that’s really good just to point out that there were no penalties on him yesterday. Also, Debo Samuels is good. Like, yeah, he’s not a slouch receiver. like he’s very talented player, has made plays, he also gets paid and he gets paid way more than Riley does. So, you know, that being said, I thought Riley played a pretty decent game. Uh, also too, like Riley’s being put up against elite, a lot of elite players. And V and Vance is not the type of coach that’s like, “Okay, Pat, you’re on an island by yourself. Free safety, we’re leaning this way.” Like, no. He trusts his guys. So free safety is going to read what he’s reading, help where he sees helps needed and uh you know sometimes that’s Riley on an island. That’s how much trust that coaching staff has in him and I think that that’s just going to continually breed confidence in himself and he’s going to be fine. I’ve been in the room with him. He has he has the right makeup. He’s going to be totally fine. I personally just wanted to see the penalties go away and that’s why I mentioned that. Like it was really cool and encouraging to see that those went away. when you are, I guess if you were in this locker room right now and what would be your words of encouragement? How do you how do you coach somebody up like that as a veteran yourself who’s played a lot of football? How would you coach him up? I know how TJ would coach somebody up or Kee cuz I got I got a chance to see that and you got a chance to see that cuz they coached you up when you were a younger player. How would you coach him up or just give him that confidence? Confidence. I I would do like me personally, I’m I’m a big uh I’m a big visual guy. So, I would go in a film room with him and I would just show him all of his positive plays. That’s it. All the positive plays. Cuz when you play DB in the National Football League, like you can have seven good PBUs and the one touchdown you give up, that’s all anyone remembers, right? But like don’t forget about those seven PBUs you had in that game where you you played the ball, you were in the right position. Um you weren’t holding, you weren’t doing all the things like this is the player you are, not this guy. Yeah. Right. Like I think looking at the positives and reflecting on the positives and having that positive self-t talk over and over and over and over, excuse me. I think that’s what really um will elevate a player’s confidence because if you don’t have confidence in yourself, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. So, I would just show him all his positive plays over and over and over and just be like, “This is who you are and let’s continue to play like that.” And then just wrapping up on the defense, thoughts on Nick Bonito, the pass rush. Obviously, Nick is playing at an elite level, forced fumble, sack, now is at 10 and a half sacks. How important is just the pass rush to just the overall defense? Because I I mean, when you have a pass rush, bro, I think you can do anything and everything. And I feel like the two most elite things that you can have on a championship defense is the pass rush and you can have you need to have two corners who can play man. If you got two corners who can play man and two pass rushers, you can go far. Any elite defense at least that I’ve seen and I would love to be proved wrong. Has an elite front seven. At least an elite front four. Yeah. Like that that Super Bowl run that you guys had. Yes. No fly zone. No doubt. Yeah. that front four. Oh, beast was was disgusting. Like, and you can have like there I’ve been on teams where we had a great secondary and a good front four, not elite. A good front four though. Guys that can play and it’s tough to cover. Now you’re covering for six, seven seconds. These guys are covering for maybe two to three seconds maybe. And they’re getting down. And I think another thing worth noting, you talked about Nick Vonito. Um, first of all, it’s really cool that I I think I read the stat that he is the first Broncos since Von Miller to have back-to-back 10 plus sack season. So, shout out to Bonito. Um, and also at the same time, like I got this from Raheem Morris in Atlanta. Stats are for losers. And I love that. I love that uh quote because again, I think so many times we just look at stats and that we pin accolades on people that have the right stats. Bonito is doing so many things in coverage with his rush containing like he’s being asked to do so many things where it’s taking back maybe some of his production and but that doesn’t mean he’s not playing at an allp pro level. So it’s it’s insane like you watch him and he’s getting these pressures and and Mariota feels that and he has to get rid of it quickly or um he he has to hand it off. maybe he wanted to keep it and saw like there’s just so many things that go on behind the missed stat that I think can be lost from from just a common uh fan eye. And so I just thought that was worth noting man cuz I think again like we talked about Huanga I think Bonito’s playing at an allp pro level no doubt and um I just think it needs to be recognized. Love to see it man. Yeah Nick is you love to see it. You love to see him making plays. He could have he could have ended the game with the one sack, but then makes up it with it with the with the batted ball. 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Sometimes um you just dial up the right pressure um with whatever the offense is doing and and vice versa with the offense. But I thought like watching the game, I felt good watching like as a Broncos fan like this offense looks better. Like I just I just felt that watching the game. I thought Bo was decisive in his in his um in his throws. I thought there was times where he saw the coverage and just immediately checked it down. And those are like those third and eights and you know Harvey or Ingram or whoever it was with the checkown passes were able to go get those first downs. I think it’s so cool how Sean dials up certain plays for certain moments like that fourth and one Trotman blocking down and squeaking out just enough little f high like like and a lot of the times, you know, sometimes you dial those up for like big touchdowns, but the fourth and one call needed it. It’s like I know we’re going to get this like those types of things are so cool for for football fans when you notice those things. And I thought the offense did great. Obviously that interception there was, you know, we talked about that briefly was a uh I think a little out of character, but other than that, I mean that drive at the overtime was insane. He played great. Yeah, you bring up and one of the things that I love the most about football or and just the way that Bo played yesterday was the checkdowns. I those are the plays that get me the most excited because that means he’s seeing the field well. Oh, hey, they dropped eight right here. I’m going to find my checkdown. And that that’s actually how the overtime I believe started with a checkdown that RJ Harvey ended up getting for a first down. A positive play. Those are the little things, especially in this offense, I believe, go a long way. When I think about Drew Brees and just playing this offense briefly in 2020, Drew was just incredible at finding the checkown. Check wide on Chimera, check wide to Latavius Murray to move the chains and continue to extend the drive. Those are the things that get a defense tired. Those are the things that end up creating the positive momentum. And you saw the way that overtime started with the checkdown and then Evan Ingram has the juke route which ends up going for 41 yards. I think over the next five weeks and then in the playoffs, Evan Ingram that joker card is now starting to be played and Sean will play it. Talk to me from a defensive perspective of what’s it like to guard a player or how it hard is it to guard a player a tight a tight end that is so dynamic in terms of his route running but then also his yards after catch ability and would you like to see more of that? Yeah, I you know like I’m watching and uh what scares me the most as a defender thinking about having to prep and for Denver is there’s there’s a lot of different factors, but if they find a way to get Ingram going and he becomes uh more of a of a of a target, more of a threat um than he has been, not saying he isn’t, but than he has been, I mean, it’s difficult Because now what you have to do is you have to allocate allocate more of your top defensive players to this guy and that takes away from something else. So, you know, like we’re probably not seeing Courtland get as many touches. Maybe because they’re shading a little bit more towards court, right? Or um we’re not seeing the run game pop off because they’re like, “Okay, well, we’re taking away Courtland and we’re going to stuff more guys to the run. They’re not throwing to the tight end. They’re not throwing to this guy.” And so there’s different things that you take away defensively and you’re like, “Yeah, we this is where we’re telling you to throw the ball and let’s see if you can beat us.” You get a guy like Ingram involved now, you got to remove a piece from and the puzzle just it it just starts getting chaotic. And I thought like you saw that at the end of the game like I know he there was a few drops um maybe even a few poor passes to him, but he caught that one and took it I don’t know 30 yards down the field and you saw the speed, you saw the athleticism. It’s just tough, man. And those and those are the difference makers. The tight ends in today’s games that can do those types of things and these and especially on Sean’s offense is going to be a difference maker for this team. I always tell people when Evan Ingram first signed here and I was a teammate of his for two years in New York. Mhm. When he caught that ball yesterday for Broncos fans, it reminds me of when he runs of DT. I think they run the same yards after the catch. They both got similar body types. Evan plays tight end obviously, but you see him pick his knees up and not many players can just run like that. And the way he carries the ball, even the way he would tuck the ball, how he tucked the ball reminds me a lot of the lot a lot of the late great Demarius Thomas. So, I think you’re right. I think it creates a lot of matchups, nightmares for other defenses, other I I don’t know who you would put on them. Yeah. I do you do you put somebody like yourself on them? Do you put a safety on them or do you put a nickel on them? Obviously, he has a elite matchup against any linebacker, I believe. I don’t think there’s any linebacker that can cover him. So, you got to use a secondary defender. Yeah. I mean, you have to like Yeah. Like, if if I’m picturing like previous defenses that I played again that I played on prepping for this team, like, yeah, you would have to allocate either a nickel or a safety um or you would have to try and bracket in some type of zone. You’re give then you’re giving up numbers in the run game. And we know how much Shawn loves to run the football. And I think right now, um, also going back to the to Denver’s offense, like I think a little bit of yesterday, which is the crazy cat-and- mouse game, I thought they were throwing to open up the run game as opposed to before they were running to open up the throw game. And I think Tell me more about what like Yeah. how that plays out in your mind because I I didn’t I didn’t or see that. I I just I think like now that JK Dobbins, the workhorse, is going to be out um for a while. Hopefully he’s able to come back. You got a young rookie. It’s kind of a by committee at this point. You got Batty, um got Jalil, obviously RJ’s in there and he’s playing great. And I think instead of like saying, “Hey, be our JK Dobbins.” Now what we’re starting to see is we’re starting to see almost like that RPO quick, hey, a a pass for four yards is just as good as a as a as a run, right? And I think now now the defense is backing up a little bit. Now we can run do our outside zones. We can do all these different runs. I thought like in my opinion just watching as a defender I thought RJ looked more comfortable yesterday and he’s going to continue to as the games go on and the experience happens. But that’s what I mean like now you’re you’re throwing the ball to open up the run game because you know you’re seeing more zone. You’re seeing more zone and then boom you’re able to hit a run as opposed to before you’re running it. cuz if you can get your run game going, you’re forcing more guys into the box and then your pass game opens up, those windows open up. So, I thought that’s why like we saw more checkowns and we saw those types of things. Uh, but that’s just my opinion. That’s just kind of what I was looking at from a defender standpoint. Thoughts on the receivers, bro? Uh, Courtland obviously made some big plays, has a touchdown yesterday. Pat Bryant is my favorite receiver on the team. I think he’s got elite hands, catches the ball over the middle, seems fearless. Troy Franklin continues to make plays. LJ is back making plays in the run game and probably will get more ingrained into the offense some more and then you have Marvin Mims. I don’t think he had I think he had one or two catches but thoughts on just the receiving core and what do you like about them and what do you think their their next step is for scaring defenses even more? I think I love I love this core. I think you always got to find what meshes well for what you’re trying to accomplish. And I think Courtland is the epitome of this. He’s not a me guy. He’s not a I need seven targets a game guy. He’s when the ball comes my way, I will make the play, especially late and late games. And Bo knows that. Bo’s like And I think that’s what makes I think that’s why we’re seeing the progression too of Bo. Bo’s obviously a great player, but I think too like knowing that you have a number one that doesn’t need to be a number one all the time just gives him a sense of calm like I can read these progressions. I don’t have to force necessarily in certain windows. And we’re starting to see Pat Bryant open up because of that, right? Um Evan Ingram is going to start opening up a little bit more. I think the checkdowns I think are coming easier because he doesn’t feel like he needs to force it. And I will say the only thing as a fan that I would like to see because he’s so explosive is more Marvin Mims. Yeah. I don’t know if you’re going to integrate that with the deep ball, more gadgets. Um, you don’t you don’t want to just make him a gadget guy like this guy comes in the game, okay, here’s screens, here’s a double pass, here’s, you know, like all those things. But I do want to see a little bit more mems cuz he is so explosive and I think he can help that offense a lot with the big play potential. Hey DNVR fam, it is the holiday times and during the holidays, you know, one of the most important things is to get all the people you care about and and yourself a little gift. And why not do it at Dicks? Why not stop at Dicks for your sporting goods and your hottest apparel and footwear from top brands like Nike, Adidas, Originals, FP Movement, and also DNVR. So, at your local Dicks Sporting Goods, you can go get some DNVR gear, and that is the best place to shop for all sporting gears. I I love shopping at Dick Sporting Goods. I get a lot of my Nike gear from there. I am always trying to be in Nike. Nike is my my favorite brand. 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What do you see? I feel like this Broncos team last year could have gone to Buffalo and won. Yeah, no doubt. So, what is it? What is how do how do they win these types of playoff games now coming up here against guys like Josh Allen or maybe it is Mahomes, maybe it is Lamar Jackson. You got also CJ Shroud in here, maybe Aaron Rodgers, but what does it look like for this team now to win meaningful games in January? Yeah, it’s exciting. Like obviously as a former player wanted to be in those those that type of environment, um I can I know some of the guys in that locker room still and I know like none of them are looking for first round of the playoffs right now. They’re head down still trying to grind out the season to get that number one spot, right? But I know they’re excited. I think whoever comes to Denver is going to have a difficult time playing in the mile high. I’ve only heard about how crazy it can get on playoff time. Um but I know it’s going to be extremely difficult. And I think let’s say Buffalo does come. Um they’ve had turnover problems. Yeah. I think Josh I I was looking at the stat when they were playing Pittsburgh because that was a that was a huge game to watch. I think he’s been sacked 28 times this season. Eight times against Houston, who claims they’re the best defense, but I think it’s Denver. And um I think you like you have that team coming in to Mile High to come play. I just think it gets I think it gets difficult for them. I think cuz right now they’re banking on running the football. Denver will take that away. And then they’re the best at sacking the quarterback. I just don’t see a formula there for success. However, Josh Allen is an elite quarterback. So, it would just be fun. And I think I think those matchups happen all across the board no matter who comes to Denver. Um so it’d be exciting. Playoff football is awesome. So it’d be really cool to see that. Yeah. I think Josh coming to Denver would be well number one mile high. The fans during the playoffs, you can’t hear anything. You can’t hear you can’t hear anything. I’ve heard offensively, defensively, it’s a wrap for all of that. You It’s It’s definitely what we would call an offensive signal game. Hey, we’re going to go no huddle at least with Payton. Well, we would travel to Kansas City or when we when we would travel anywhere. Yeah. Because they know the noise is the only thing that could really affect him or what we do at the line of scrimmage. We would always do signals. So, we would if you’re coming to play Denver here in the playoffs, it’s got to be a signal game for you if you’re going to be calling things cuz he won’t be able to hear things in the in the helmet. But, Baltimore scares me a little bit. Buffalo does and Kansas City only because their quarterbacks are running quarterbacks and extend the play type of quarterbacks. Obviously, the defense is elite, but I think the playoffs are just different. I think you I think people call games differently and I think players play differently. Yeah, no doubt. And there is no substitute for experience. And that’s why I’m glad that Denver got to the playoffs last year and got that, oh, we’re here in the playoffs. They got that out of their system because now I think you’re ready. Yeah. Now I think you’re ready. I think you hadn’t been there in 10 years. It’s one thing for Shawn to be there. It’s another thing for as a player. My first playoff game just being on the sideline, I wasn’t dressed, but it was the Indianapolis Colts. We were the number one seed. We had the buy. Indianapolis came in here and they beat us. And that was like it was just a rude awakening for us or at least for me and our rookie class me Bradley Roby uh Capri Bibs all of us because we blew them out 35 to7 the first week of the season and then they came in here and beat us 28 to4. So the playoffs are just it’s just a different animal and then the following year we win it all. We don’t look good on offense at all but our defense is so elite that you can win like that. So, I think the Broncos have the right formula in terms of defense. Yeah, defense wins championships at the end of the day. Ken City’s defense a couple years ago, Philly’s defense the previous year, even the Patriots when they played the number one seed Rams and they won that they won that Super Bowl 13-3. Yeah. You know, Tom Brady gets the credit for all the Super Bowls he won, but to win a playoff game against the number one offense in the NFL, 13-3, Broncos got that type of defense. So, yep. It travels well. Anybody from the NFC catch your eye that the Broncos would could potentially play in the playoffs or not playoffs, Super Bowl? Bro, the NFC is scary in my opinion. I I don’t know. I don’t know how many people are watching NFC football. Um, the fact that the Bears are very similar to Denver. I don’t The makeup is not the same. I don’t think their defense is is nearly as good, but they’re taking the ball away. Yeah. And then in the fourth quarter, regardless of how they play, Caleb Williams is finding a way to help his team win football games. And they’re sitting at the top. Am I right? Yeah. Right here. Nine and two. Yep. Nine and three. Nam 9 and three. Rams are now 9 and three. It’s crazy. They just lost to the Panthers. Um but I mean it feels weird this year, bro. It’s insane. But I’m looking at, bro, I’m looking at the whole um NFC like the Rams, Niners, uh Seahawks. Bro, the Lions are in eighth. I don’t know. I would have never guessed that. The Packers, I mean, like there’s so many teams there that I think it’s just going to be a brawl. I would I can’t wait to watch that playoff run on in the NFC because uh I think it’s going to be crazy. If I had to guess, I’m going to go with the Rams. Same. I think there’s too much makeup, too much Super Bowl makeup on that team. And I think their defense is really like That would have been my biggest question mark. Can the defense play well enough for them to win football games? The Rams. Yeah. And they are playing unbelievable defense that it didn’t show up against the Panthers, but they’re playing unbelievable defense. And then obviously when you have Matt Matt Stafford and the weapons that he has um and their running game is going really well. I just I think they carry that load. But it’d be interesting because I think they’d have to play the Seahawks for a third time some somewhere around like and it’s just who knows? I don’t know. Playing a team three times, bro, is extremely hard. Playing a team twice is extremely hard. I think uh I think the Broncos could potentially have that with Kansas City. I mean, Kansas City’s got to win out, but I could see them I could see the Broncos end up playing them a third time, which I think is going to be extremely difficult in the playoffs if they Kansas City can win out. I know people are like riding them off and they continue to, you know, they’ve gotten beat the last two weeks, but it’s just until they’re mathematically eliminated. You you don’t think they’re out of it? It’s just hard to and that’s like that’s the only reason I’m really picking the R. Like I I think Seattle right now is playing unbelievable. trust Darnold though. I don’t I I don’t know. I trust their defense. Is their defense that good? Yeah, they’re they’re really good. They’re really good. And I think I think but like that’s why I’m going with the Rams because I do trust Stafford and I trust McVey. I’m not putting Kansas City All that to say is I’m also agreeing with you. I’m not putting Kansas City out because there’s too much makeup on that team. Y I just think they find a way. I hope they don’t, but I just think they find a way. Uh, Broncos, got Las Vegas coming up. What are your favorite memories just as a player playing against the Raiders? Uh, the first thing that comes to mind it was uh, well, I’ll say it was like my first it was it wasn’t my first interception, but it was my first real interception like as a real starter. I think it was like game I think it was game one. No, game two, game three. I can’t even remember. But advance it was uh VJ’s first year. Oh, so I was there. Yep. Yeah. Okay. Um and uh uh oh man, I’m gonna forget his name. The quarterback. Not Derek Carr. No, it wasn’t Derek Carr. It was uh um my guy who played for Florida State uh long time. Emanuel. Oh, EJ Emanuel. EJ Emanuel. Yes. Thank you. Uh anyway, he was throwing a deep ball to Mari Cooper. I went up. I caught the ball as a game ender. Um just as a young player, like I said, we were at home. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I got a game ball that game that too. Special teams. Come on. There we go. But I like that like that that’s the first thing that comes to mind. I’m sure there’s there’s plenty of others. But uh you know, division game as a young player I’m starting um I just there’s a lot to prove and it was just it was just a big time play for me and we ended up winning the game. I think it was 16 to 10. Yep. Um but that’s what I think of and I Yeah. So what was it like just as a young player preparing for that and then also you’re in a room with a Chris Ro was Steu there? Yes. Like what’s what’s it like prep in preparation in a VJ le defense? What’s it like preparing for a game like that? Bro, it’s difficult. I think first of all from a from a mental psyche standpoint like uh we had just let go of of TJ and I’m filling in that role like obviously everyone here knows how great TJ was as a player threetime pro bowler like okay Rook like let’s yeah like all right yeah let’s go this is why we drafted you and right so like from a mental st mental psyche standpoint it’s like okay I got to get in there and I got to like not just play not just play play well and especially with this group that proven to play well. And it wasn’t like it wasn’t like they were going to dumb things down for me like no catch up. And so like there’s extra meetings with Leeb, extra meetings with Stu, um extra meetings with Chris Robe, like these guys. Oneonone. Oh, no. I mean like just like extra meetings like you know what I mean? Like even if it would be afterwards like I would pull Stu and just be like, “Hey bro, so listen when we do like and so I needed to catch up like when y’all are signaling this like what does that mean when Ake gives me this signal? Does that mean help over the top or jump the slant?” like what? Like I got to be able to catch up with what they’re doing because they’ve proven to be elite, right? And so it was difficult, but it was it was so rewarding, man, because they always had my back. Um especially a Keeb, they always had my back. And that’s like that’s what you love as a young player to see veterans have your back because when you’re out there, it is all about what you guys are doing. You know, everyone’s heard the saying like if all 11 of us are wrong, we’re all right. And that was the mentality that those guys had and it was really cool, man. I feel like that’s what this team has and they’ve talked about how extremely close this team is. And I think that’s one of the reasons why this team is having so much success defensively and then overall winning games is that they have bows back regardless of how he’s playing. The defense, you can see how they’re communicating, how they’re playing well. And I look, I’ve been able and I’ve been blessed to win stu two state championships, two Big 10 championships in a Super Bowl. And all of the things that you just said are true. Every championship team I’ve ever been on is player le player accountability. Hey, we’re all on the same page. Like you said, if we’re all wrong, then we’re right. And I think the Broncos have this makeup of of a championship team. And I expect them to carry that over to Vegas this weekend. I expect them to not play with their food and and to punish them this weekend. No, I think I think that’s I think that’s going to be the case. And I think we’ve seen it before last year. Um, and I don’t remember exactly how the season was going, but obviously Denver had more losses last year, um, kind of at this point in the year and they had to go play in Vegas and after the game, um, you saw Sean like run on the field and almost celebrate with some of the guys and and you know, like there are certain games he goes into and he’s telling them like, I’m just telling you, I know what I know what some of you are thinking. I know what the media is saying about this game. It’s going to be an easy win. We can just stroll in here. I’m telling you guys right now, that is not our mentality going into this game. And they ended up winning the game. Uh whereas like I I think he said it like the team I was here with the year prior probably loses this game. So this was an important game for us to come in and win. And I think that’s going to be the same makeup. Everyone’s riding high. The Broncos are going to be number one seed. And he’s in there and he’s telling them like, “Hey, look, we’re going to celebrate our wins.” But let’s not forget this was 10-7 a couple weeks ago at our home stadium. We have a point. We have a point to prove. Yeah. And I think that’s going to be the mentality of the team. Love to see it. Justin, man, this is a pleasure, bro. Thank you for coming on Broncos X and O’s, bro. You just you’re a natural. You can do everything well. You know, when you have a a co-host that just makes everything so natural, it’s just easy. I didn’t even I forgot there was cameras. Uh, you know, I didn’t even I forgot there was a mic half the time. So, I appreciate you, bro. This was uh this was fun. Awesome, man. Appreciate you, bro. All love. Yes, sir. [Applause] [Music]

The Denver Broncos just ripped off their INSANE 9th straight win to move to 10-2, and Justin Simmons joins Bennie Fowler on Broncos X’s & O’s to break down how Sean Payton’s squad keeps closing out games in the fourth quarter and climbing the AFC playoff picture. We dive into the film on Denver’s elite defense with Talanoa Hufanga, Pat Surtain II, Nik Bonitto, Riley Moss and Vance Joseph’s pass-rush plans, plus how teams are trying to attack this unit with quick game and mobile quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. On offense, Bo Nix’s poise, clutch checkdowns, Courtland Sutton’s big-play reliability, Evan Engram’s matchup nightmare potential and RJ Harvey’s emergence have this group looking like a real Super Bowl threat. Tap in for all the X’s and O’s, playoff scenarios and Raiders preview, and don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe for more Denver Broncos breakdowns every week.

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Timestamps:
Intro: 0:00
Opening Drive: 3:26
Simmons on Hufanga being the best in the lelague : 7:23
The pass rush being elite: 13:22
Broncos offense: 17:28
AFC standings: 28:38
Broncos Blueprint vs the Raiders: 36:28

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