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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/afc-playoff-picture-chargers-topple-broncos-week-16');   ga('set', 'title', 'AFC playoff picture after Chargers topple Broncos in Week 16');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/AFC-playoff-picture-after-Chargers-topple-Broncos-in-Week-16.jpg"></figure><h1>AFC playoff picture after Chargers topple Broncos in Week 16</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-23T09:00:12-08:00">December 23rd, 9:00am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-23T09:00:12-08:00">December 23rd, 9:00am</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Baltimore Ravens</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>There is one game left in Week 16 as the Green Bay Packers host the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. But that means the AFC games are finished and the playoff picture has cleared up. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/broncos-news-sean-payton-calls-out-need-to-be-smarter-after-loss-chargers">Chargers beat the Broncos on Thursday night</a>, starting the week with a big win. Wins by the Chiefs, Bills, and Ravens helped clear things up as well. We’ll take a look at the AFC playoff picture heading into Week 17.</p><p>Five of the seven AFC playoff spots are clinched through 16 weeks. The Broncos could have clinched a spot by beating the Chargers on Thursday but they collapsed in the second half. That win sent the Bolts’ playoff chances to 94%, so there is a very slim chance the playoffs change in the final two weeks. But anything can happen in the NFL and until there is an X next to seven teams, nothing is locked in.</p><p>Week 16 is over and done and the holidays are around the corner. Who is in a playoff spot and who is grasping to slim chances? Here is the AFC playoff picture.</p><h2><b>#1: Kansas City Chiefs (14-1, 1st in AFC West)</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Patrick-Mahomes-with-KC-Chiefs-5.jpg"><figcaption>Denny Medley-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Chiefs won another one-possession game on Saturday, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/chiefs-news-andy-reid-makes-bold-claim-after-tight-chiefs-win-over-texans">beating the Houston Texans 27-19</a>. They have a quick turnaround for a Wednesday game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. Mahomes and the crew have a magic number of one to clinch the AFC’s top seed. If they win, they will secure the all-important bye in the first round.</p><h2><b>#2: Buffalo Bills (12-3, 1st in AFC East)</b></h2><p>Despite going down 14-0 in the first quarter, the Bills took down the Patriots at home in Week 16. They have already won the AFC East and are nearing a clinch of the number two seed. That does not mean what it used to be with the extra playoff team but it does mean more playoff football in Orchard Park.</p><h2><b>#3: Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5, t-1st in AFC North)</b></h2><p>The Steelers lost an important game to the Ravens on Saturday that brought the two teams to a tie. Pittsburgh would win the division if they ended with identical records because of their conference winning percentage. That makes both Christmas Day games very important, as the Steelers host the Chiefs and the Ravens travel to Houston.</p><h2><b>#4: Houston Texans (9-6, 1st in AFC South)</b></h2><p>The Texans lost more than just the game on Sunday. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-news-demeco-ryans-reveals-tank-dells-return-houston-dislocating-knee">Tank Dell left with a gruesome knee injury</a>, adding to the cavalcade of injuries for the team. They have already clinched the AFC South and the playoffs, so the loss does not crush their playoff standings. Nico Collins will have to step up on Wednesday to give fans hope for the playoffs.</p><h2><b>#5: Baltimore Ravens (10-5, t-1st in AFC North)</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Lamar-Jackson-with-Baltimore-Ravens-10.jpg"><figcaption>Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Ravens evened the season series against the Steelers and clinched the playoffs on Saturday because of a great performance from their defense. The pick-six was the final nail in the coffin for the game. Now, the Ravens still need the Steelers to lose one of their final two games and Baltimore needs to win out. The good news is that Pittsburgh plays Kansas City this week. A win over Houston and Lamar Jackson could secure another division title.</p><h2><b>#6: Los Angeles Chargers (9-6, t-2nd in AFC West)</b></h2><p>The Chargers came storming back to beat the Broncos on Thursday and nearly secured their playoff spot. If they win against the Patriots on Saturday afternoon, they will secure a return to the playoffs. Jim Harbaugh has them in the playoff conversation after a miserable 2023 season and Thursday’s win proved that.</p><h2><b>#7: Denver Broncos </b><b>(9-6, t-2nd in AFC West)</b></h2><p>The Broncos had a 21-10 lead in the second quarter but collapsed to lose to the Chargers on Thursday. A win would have secured their playoff spot and the same is true for Week 17. They play the Bengals on the road, which is a tough matchup for their strong defense. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix has been strong this year and can prove it in this game. If they lose, they will have another win-and-in scenario against the Chiefs in Week 18. They should be rooting for KC on Wednesday so they have nothing to play for in Week 18.</p><h2><b>#8: Indianapolis Colts (7-8, 2nd in AFC South)</b></h2><p>The Colts are in the eighth spot and hold the tie-breakers over the Dolphins and Bengals. That means they only have to look ahead to the Broncos for their playoff chances. They need to win both games, Week 17 against the Giants and Week 18 against the Jaguars. Then the Broncos or Chargers have to lose both of their games, Week 17 against the Bengals and Week 18 against the Chiefs. The Athletic gives them a 14% <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5698572/2024/12/22/nfl-playoffs-projections-odds/" rel="noopener">chance of making the postseason</a>.</p><h2><b>#9: Miami Dolphins (7-8, 2nd in AFC East)</b></h2><p>The Dolphins have the tiebreaker over the Bengals but not over the Colts. So after their big win over the 49ers on Sunday, they need a lot of help. It starts with Miami winning out against the Browns and Patriots. Then, the Colts need to lose or tie at least one of their two games. And the Broncos or Chargers need to lose both of their games. If all of that happens, the Dolphins will make the playoffs. The Athletic gives them a 12% chance of making it.</p><h2><b>#10: Cincinnati Bengals (7-8, 3rd in AFC North)</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Joe-Burrow-with-Cincinnati-Bengals-6.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Bengals are the last team with playoff chances in the AFC. They started 0-3, cratering any chance they had of making the playoffs but a remarkable stretch has them grasping to hope. They do not have a tiebreaker over the Colts or Dolphins but they play the Broncos and can clinch that tiebreaker. They need to win both games (v Broncos, @ Steelers), the Broncos need to lose in Week 18 to the Chiefs, and the Dolphins and Colts both need to lose or tie one of their final games. The Athletic says there is a 5% chance that happens.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

AFC playoff picture after Chargers topple Broncos in Week 16

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/broncos-sean-payton-calls-out-tv-broadcasts-for-revealing-call-sheet-secrets');   ga('set', 'title', 'Broncos’ Sean Payton calls out TV broadcasts for revealing call sheet secrets');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Sean-Payton-calls-out-TV-broadcasts-for-revealing-call-sheet-secrets.jpg"></figure><h1>Broncos’ Sean Payton calls out TV broadcasts for revealing call sheet secrets</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-22T11:59:08-08:00">December 22nd, 11:59am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T11:59:08-08:00">December 22nd, 11:59am</time><address><a>Ryan Bologna</a>Ryan Bologna is an author at ClutchPoints. He studied journalism and communication at UConn.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Denver Broncos</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>During the Denver Broncos’ 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, Prime Video cameras zoomed in on Broncos coach Sean Payton’s call sheet, which included a note saying “RUN IT!!!” at the top, and he <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/sean-payton-isnt-a-fan-of-networks-zooming-in-on-call-sheets" rel="noopener">did not like the fact</a> that it was shown on the broadcast.</p><p>“I think — No. 1 — I don’t like the fact that the network TV cameras feel like they can zoom in to our call sheets, but it is what it is,” Sean Payton said, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “It’s just a reminder sometimes. They’ll be little notes we’ll put at the top of — I’ll put at the top of a section. I felts like we ran it real well early in the game [in the] first half. The second half there were two series I kind of kicked myself where even when we did run it, it was the type of run we ran that wasn’t as effective.”</p><p>There is nothing prohibiting networks from zooming in on call sheets, despite the fact that Payton, and likely others, do not like it. It is not the first, and is unlikely to be the last time that broadcasts do this. Payton and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/broncos-most-blame-week-16-loss-chargers">the Broncos will have to</a> move forward knowing that is a possibility.</p><h2><b>Sean Payton, Broncos look to secure playoff spot</b></h2><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/why-broncos-will-miss-2024-playoffs-after-loss-chargers">The Broncos are very close</a> to securing a playoff spot, although it will not be easy, as the last two games they play in the regular season are against the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs. A win or a tie in either of those two games would clinch a spot, after they had a chance to clinch with a win against the Chargers.</p><p>If the Broncos do not win one of their two remaining games, they will need help from elsewhere to clinch a spot.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Broncos’ Sean Payton calls out TV broadcasts for revealing call sheet secrets

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/why-broncos-will-miss-2024-playoffs-after-loss-chargers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why Broncos will miss 2024 playoffs after loss to Chargers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Why-Broncos-will-miss-2024-playoffs-after-loss-to-Chargers.jpg"></figure><h1>Why Broncos will miss 2024 playoffs after loss to Chargers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-21T09:46:49-08:00">December 21st, 9:46am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-21T09:49:59-08:00">December 21st, 9:49am</time><address><a>Andrew Kulha</a>Andrew Kulha has been a professional sports writer since 2010. His work has been featured in publications such as Bleacher Report, 247Sports, Yardbarker, Forbes, Saturday Tradition, Saturday Down South, Prep Hoops and many others.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Denver Broncos</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Denver Broncos were in an enviable position heading into Week 16’s rendition of Thursday Night Football. They came into the contest at 9-5 and in the sixth seed of the 2024 AFC Playoffs. They haven’t been a juggernaut this season, but the vibes have been good for Denver considering the fact that they were on a four game winning streak heading into Thursday Night Football. They also could have clinched with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers.</p><p>Oh, and they’re a playoff contender <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/broncos-news-bo-nix-reveals-why-rookie-label-doesnt-matter-to-him">with a rookie quarterback, Bo Nix</a>. That’s pretty impressive no matter how you look at it, which is why <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/2-reasons-sean-payton-coach-of-the-year-frontrunner">Sean Payton has been getting consideration as the NFL’s Coach of the Year</a>.</p><p>Everything had been going well for the Broncos, and until there were literally zeros on the clock heading into halftime against the Chargers, the Broncos were rolling. If the vibes were good heading into the contest, they were immaculate when cornerback Kris Abrams-Drained picked up Justin Herbert while the Chargers were driving, down 21-10.</p><p>The Broncos were close to heading into halftime with an 11-point lead, but a fair catch interference with zero seconds left on the second quarterback clock allowed Jim Harbaugh’s <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/chargers-news-cameron-dicker-stuns-nfl-broncos-game-rare-feat-seen-1976">Chargers to get three points via a fair catch free kick maneuver that hasn’t been seen since 1976</a>.</p><p>With that, the Chargers went into halftime down 21-13 with some momentum and as it turns out, that free kick was the turning point that started an epic collapse from the Broncos. The Chargers scored three touchdowns in the second half while the Broncos could only notch two field goals.</p><p>The end result was a 34-27 loss that <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401671749" rel="noopener">completely sucked the wind</a> out of the Broncos’ sails.</p><p>“Obviously, a disappointing loss. There was a lot at stake, and we know that,” Payton said after the game, according to ESPN. “We had a fast start, and then uncharacteristically this season, we didn’t finish or play nearly well enough in the second half, both offensively and defensively.”</p><p>That’s the diagnostic of how it happened, but now the Broncos have an even bigger problem on their hands. The loss swapped their seeding with the Chargers so now the Broncos are the seventh and final seed in the playoffs. If there’s any good news after the loss it’s that the three teams that could hypothetically catch up to them — the Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, and Miami Dolphins — are all 6-8 and technically still have a tough road to climb to the playoffs.</p><p>The Broncos still do control their own destiny too. With two games remaining, they just need to win one more game to clinch a playoff seed.</p><p>It’s going to be easier said than done, though. In fact, here’s why this loss to the Chargers just completely blew Denver’s chances of making the 2024 NFL Playoffs.</p><h2><b>The Broncos’ fate in Week 16 is now out of their hands </b></h2><p>Let’s get this clinching scenario out of the way, because there is still <a href="https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2024/12/20/broncos-news-team-can-still-clinch-nfl-playoffs-this-week/" rel="noopener">technically a possibility</a> that the Broncos can clinch by the end of Week 16.</p><p>While it does exist as a possibility, it is highly unlikely though. The three teams mentioned above — the Colts, Bengals and Dolphins — would all have to lose. The Colts are playing the 3-11 Tennessee Titans, the Bengals are playing the 3-11 Cleveland Browns and the Dolphins are playing the banged up and 6-8 San Francisco 49ers at home. There’s a realistic possibility all three of those teams win and improve to 7-8, so the chances of the Broncos clinching on the couch watching these games after losing to the Chargers is slim.</p><h2><b>The Broncos control their own fate, but…</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bo-Nix-and-the-Broncos-blew-their-shot.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Yes, the Broncos can clinch that seventh seed by simply winning out on of their last two games, but it’s going to be much easier said than done.</p><p>Their best shot will be, frankly, against Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17, but Joe Burrow is feeling it right now — having thrown 21 touchdowns compared to five interceptions in Cincy’s past six games and Ja’Marr Chase leads the NFL in receiving with 102 catches for 1,413 yards and 15 touchdowns. He’s closing in on a triple threat.</p><p>This is a game in Cincinnati, and it’s not hard to predict the Broncos fall there, which would decrease their record to 9-7 while the Bengals would be 8-8 (assuming their win over the Browns).</p><p>The Broncos would then have to turn around and play the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18. If there’s any consolation there it’s that the game is at Mile High, but the Chiefs are in a fight with the Buffalo Bills for the No. 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs and their looking to hold onto all the momentum they can in order to try to be the NFL’s first-ever three-peat Super Bowl team. That’s a game the Chiefs will want to win, and assuming they do, the Broncos will finish the regular season at 9-8.</p><p>Amazing enough, the Broncos <a href="https://www.profootballnetwork.com/broncos-playoff-scenarios-chances-week-16-2024/" rel="noopener">could still clinch the playoffs</a> without winning these last two games, but they would need the Bengals or Dolphins to not reach that 9-8 mark as well. Miami finished with the 49ers, Browns, and Jets, so there’s a real possibility they end up at 9-8 and that would kick the Broncos out because in this scenario, Denver’s record against AFC opponents would be a distasteful 5-7.</p><p>It’s the pessimistic take on Denver’s last two weeks of play, but there’s absolutely reason to be pessimistic after the Broncos blew their best chance to get it done against the Chargers.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why Broncos will miss 2024 playoffs after loss to Chargers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/broncos-most-blame-week-16-loss-chargers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Broncos most to blame for Week 16 loss to Chargers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Broncos-most-to-blame-for-Week-16-loss-to-Chargers.jpg"></figure><h1>Broncos most to blame for Week 16 loss to Chargers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-20T23:44:54-08:00">December 20th, 11:44pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-20T23:44:54-08:00">December 20th, 11:44pm</time><address><a>Brian Buyawe</a>Brian Buyawe is an NBA, NFL, NCAA Football, and NCAA Basketball writer for ClutchPoints. His advanced knowledge of basketball, football, and Formula One started at an early age, allowing him to provide in-depth analysis.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Denver Broncos</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Thursday night’s outing was definitely painful for the Denver Broncos. On the verge of claiming a playoff spot, the team suffered a 34-27 loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers. Denver failed to capitalize on a halftime lead, as a quiet second half resulted in a come-from-behind victory for their foes. This, in turn, marked a switch in the AFC West standings. Despite both teams holding 9-6 records, the Chargers’ win now puts them in second place while the Broncos slip down to number three.</p><p>Of course, it isn’t the end of the world yet for<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/broncos-news-sean-payton-calls-out-need-to-be-smarter-after-loss-chargers"> Sean Payton’s squad</a>; They still have an <a href="https://www.nfl.com/standings/playoff-picture" rel="noopener">84% chance of making the postseason</a>, per NFL.com. Nevertheless, the road ahead won’t be any easier. Next week, they’ll be facing a Cincinnati Bengals team that — albeit holding a losing record — boasts the league’s best passing offense. Move further ahead and the Broncos close out their regular season with a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. No further explanation needed.</p><p>Going back, how bad was Denver’s Thursday performance, exactly? The rest of the article will talk about it in detail, so without further ado, here are the culprits for the Broncos’ Week 16 loss.</p><h2><b>Sloppy second-half play — offense </b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bo-Nix-runs-out-to-pass.jpg"><figcaption>© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>There really isn’t one person to blame for the Broncos’ second-half collapse. It’s like the entire team somehow lost steam. In the first half, Denver had three consecutive 70-yard drives and three touchdowns. They had no trouble moving the chains, as the utilization of multiple running backs and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/broncos-news-bo-nix-slaps-team-with-important-reminder-collapse-vs-chargers">efficient passing from Bo Nix</a> sparked the hot start. Rookie Audric Estime ran for the first touchdown while Nix found Michael Burton and Devaughn Vele for the next two, respectively.</p><p>In the final two quarters, however, the Broncos struggled to advance the ball and never found the endzone. The run game they established early on disappeared, and the team had to settle for field goals as their only source of points. In fact, one could even deduce that the downhill tumble began late in the second quarter. The Broncos led 21-10 with less than a minute remaining before halftime but they went three-and-out, and a penalty in the ensuing punt resulted in a 57-yard <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/chargers-news-cameron-dicker-stuns-nfl-broncos-game-rare-feat-seen-1976">fair-catch kick that Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker converted</a>.</p><p>The Broncos scored a field goal early in the third quarter to bring the lead back up to 11, but it wouldn’t be enough. Their next three drives ended in punts, with the team going three-and-out (yet again) in two of the said drives. At the same time, the Chargers gained traction, eventually taking and growing the lead with a 15-point fourth quarter. All in all, five of Denver’s last seven drives ended in punts.</p><h2><b>Sloppy second-half play — defense</b></h2><p>The defense doesn’t get a pass here either. For a team who entered Week 16 allowing just 17.6 opponent points per game, the Broncos uncharacteristically gave up practically double that amount on Thursday. They seemed locked in at first, managing an interception — a career-first from rookie Kris Abrams-Draine — and holding the Chargers to just one touchdown through LA’s first five possessions.</p><p>That all changed in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, when Justin Herbert’s heroics ensued due to lapses in coverage. The missed tackles on Gus Edwards and Hassan Haskins during LA’s second-to-the-last drive didn’t help either, as the touchdown in that possession gave the Chargers a 10-point cushion with 2:27 remaining.</p><h2><b>Penalties</b></h2><p>The fair-catch interference that led to Dicker’s kick was just one of seven total penalties that the Broncos had. Through the Chargers’ first two drives of the second half — drives that ended up in touchdowns, by the way — several costly penalties were called on Denver. On offense, the Broncos’ O-line committed false starts plus an offensive holding penalty as well.</p><p>It’s best to end on a positive note here. Maybe Week 16’s three-day preparation period took its toll on the team. After all, their previous game against the Indianapolis Colts happened just last Sunday. Moving forward, the Broncos now have more than enough time to regroup for their clash against the Bengals, which commences on December 28.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Broncos most to blame for Week 16 loss to Chargers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/broncos-news-sean-payton-calls-out-need-to-be-smarter-after-loss-chargers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Broncos’ Sean Payton calls out need to be ‘smarter’ after loss to Chargers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Sean-Payton-calls-out-need-to-be-smarter-after-loss-to-Chargers.jpg"></figure><h1>Broncos’ Sean Payton calls out need to be ‘smarter’ after loss to Chargers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-20T07:28:43-08:00">December 20th, 7:28am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-20T07:35:35-08:00">December 20th, 7:35am</time><address><a>Derek Hryn</a>Derek Hryn is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints specializing in NFL and NCAA Football coverage. Derek was previously a fantasy football expert at DK and SB Nation, and he has been featured at FanSided, USA Today, NBC Sports, The New York Post, and others.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Denver Broncos</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/broncos-news-bo-nix-slaps-team-with-important-reminder-collapse-vs-chargers">Denver Broncos collapsed against the Los Angeles Chargers</a> on Thursday Night Football in Week 16. After leading at the half 21-13, the Broncos went without a touchdown for the remainder of the game. Head coach Sean Payton was <a href="https://x.com/ZacStevensDNVR/status/1869964206176645544" rel="noopener">noticeably frustrated</a> in the postgame presser.</p><p>“Disappointing loss,” Payton said afterwards, per Zac Stevens of thednvr.com.</p><p>Payton, who previously emphasized <a href="https://x.com/ZacStevensDNVR/status/1869964778648813675" rel="noopener">the penalties issue</a> that’s been <a href="https://x.com/ZacStevensDNVR/status/1869965123693228068" rel="noopener">hindering their success throughout the season</a>, stated that the team needs to be “smarter” following the 34-27 comeback loss against the Chargers.</p><p>“It keeps continuing so we got to do a better job coaching… It’s not like it’s new. It’ll cost you,” Payton said.</p><p>It’s never easy when a team gives away a crucial win to a division rival, especially the one who’s trying to come after the same AFC Wild Card spot. Nevertheless, Payton and Co. are still in decent shape at 9-6, but are now officially in must-win territory against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17.</p><h2><b>The Broncos’ penalties scattered throughout the loss</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Sean-Payton-1.jpg"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Broncos had a difficult time on defense throughout the night. As <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/2-reasons-sean-payton-coach-of-the-year-frontrunner">tremendous of a job that Payton has done</a> this season, ensuring that the defense was stout and keeping things balanced offensively with rookie Bo Nix running the show, this team still manages to revert to previous blunders.</p><p>Heading into a matchup where a playoff spot could’ve been clinched, the belief was that the Broncos would be sharp. The offense looked the latter to start the first half. Nix only needed 10 plays to drive 72 yards for an Audric Estime rushing touchdown on their opening drive. Even when the Chargers responded with a score of their own, the Broncos looked to be in command.</p><p>Instead, seven penalties which gave the Chargers 61 advantageous yards that paved the way to their huge comeback was the outcome. And now, it’s back to the drawing board and the practice field to continue harping on these same mistakes before it ends their season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Broncos’ Sean Payton calls out need to be ‘smarter’ after loss to Chargers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/broncos-news-patrick-surtain-ii-slaps-denver-harsh-reality-after-blown-lead-chargers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Patrick Surtain II slaps Broncos with harsh reality after blown lead vs. Chargers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Broncos-news-Patrick-Surtain-II-slaps-Denver-with-harsh-reality-after-blown-lead-vs.-Chargers.jpg"></figure><h1>Patrick Surtain II slaps Broncos with harsh reality after blown lead vs. Chargers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-20T07:28:28-08:00">December 20th, 7:28am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-20T14:52:10-08:00">December 20th, 2:52pm</time><address><a href="https://medium.com/bingeable">Sonny Giuliano</a>Sonny Giuliano is an experienced sports writer for ClutchPoints who has been covering the NFL, NCAA Football, NBA, and NCAA Basketball for well over a decade. Originally from the small town of Elba, New York, Sonny received his degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Denver Broncos</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In the closing minutes of the 2nd quarter on Thursday Night Football, it looked as if the Denver Broncos were cruising toward a win in Los Angeles and their first postseason berth since 2015. The Broncos had already hung 21 points on the Chargers, the league’s 3rd-best scoring defense, and were about to take an 11-point lead into the halftime locker room. But then <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/chargers-news-cameron-dicker-stuns-nfl-broncos-game-rare-feat-seen-1976">a seldom-seen fair-catch kick at the gun</a> cut the lead to eight, and suddenly, it felt as if the Chargers had found momentum in a loophole.</p><p>The Broncos were outscored 21-6 in the 2nd half, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/broncos-news-bo-nix-slaps-team-with-important-reminder-collapse-vs-chargers">dropped a crucial matchup to their AFC West rival 34-27</a> on what could’ve been a night that fans in the Mile High City celebrated a return to the Playoffs. Instead, a stunning loss has forced the Broncos to look inward and evaluate what <a href="https://apnews.com/article/broncos-chargers-playoffs-b0deab50f3ced63845f82e5744ade642" rel="noopener">went wrong at SoFi Stadium</a> on Thursday night.</p><p>“We can’t allow ourselves to relax throughout quarters,” Broncos safety Patrick Surtain II said after the game, per Greg Beacham of the Associated Press. “I think today was definitely a moment where we realized that we let that one get away towards the end of the second half.”</p><p>Broncos head coach Sean Payton voiced a similar sentiment as Surtain after the loss.</p><p>“It was disappointing because there was a lot at stake, and we know that,” Payton said. “We had a fast start. I was encouraged by that, and then uncharacteristically this season, we didn’t finish or play nearly well enough in the second half, both offensively and defensively. Time of possession. The third-down numbers. Our rushing numbers fell off in the second half. Credit Los Angeles for fighting their way back in, and we didn’t make enough plays in the end. So we go from there.”</p><h2><b>Loss in LA prevents Broncos from clinching postseason berth… for now </b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Sean-Payton-watches-from-the-Broncos-sideline.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>A win over the Chargers would’ve clinched a postseason berth for the Broncos, but even after the loss, Denver still controls their own destiny, finding themselves in a position where a win next week against Cincinnati would send them to the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. In reality, it may not even come to that. Denver could lock in a spot on the AFC side of the playoff bracket if the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/titans-vs-colts-predictions-pick-odds-spread-for-nfl-week-16-2024">Colts (vs. Tennessee)</a>, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/49ers-vs-dolphins-predictions-pick-odds-spread-for-nfl-week-16-2024">Dolphins (vs. San Francisco)</a> and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/browns-vs-bengals-predictions-pick-odds-spread-for-nfl-week-16-2024">Bengals (vs. Cleveland)</a> all lose this weekend.</p><p>However, if the Colts, Dolphins and Bengals all win on Sunday, things start to get murky for Denver.</p><p>The Broncos remaining two games are against Cincinnati and Kansas City, and depending on how things are looking atop the AFC heading into Week 18, the Chiefs could have a whole lot to play for on the final Sunday of the season. Indianapolis and Miami both have favorable schedules remaining, with neither team having to face an opponent with a winning record the rest of the way. As long as the Bengals secure a win over the Browns this weekend, they’ll still be alive for a postseason berth as well.</p><p>This is a complicated way of saying that even with half-dozen teams still vying for Wild Card berths, Denver does have the leg up.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Patrick Surtain II slaps Broncos with harsh reality after blown lead vs. Chargers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/broncos-news-netflix-announces-details-john-elway-doc');   ga('set', 'title', 'Netflix announces initial details of new John Elway doc');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Netflix-announces-initial-details-of-new-John-Elway-doc.jpg"></figure><h1>Netflix announces initial details of new John Elway doc</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-20T05:23:21-08:00">December 20th, 5:23am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-20T05:25:42-08:00">December 20th, 5:25am</time><address><a href="https://matthew516sports.substack.com/">Douglas Fritz</a>Douglas Fritz has been writing about sports for almost four decades and publishes a Christian sports newsletter and podcast on Substack at Matthew516Sports. He started as a reporter for the student newspaper at East Tennessee State University, worked his way up to Editor-In-Chief, and began his sports writing career at the Johnson City Press daily newspaper while still in college. During 30-plus years at the Press, he covered University of Tennessee football, men's and women's basketball, ETSU athletics, and high school athletics. Among the people he has interviewed are Dale Murphy, Bobby Cox, John Smoltz, and Bruce Smith. He is also a Christian-based screenwriter (five feature-length and one short), book writer (three completed manuscripts and one novel), and songwriter.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Denver Broncos</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>John <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/broncos-news-john-elway-mike-shanahan-hall-of-fame-candidacy">Elway has stumped for his former coach.</a> He’s also impressed with the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/broncos-news-john-elway-impressed-bo-nix-rookie-season">Denver Broncos rookie quarterback</a>. On a different subject, Netflix announced the initial details of <a href="https://x.com/netflix/status/1869839178357453238" rel="noopener">a new documentary</a> about Elway, according to a post on X by Netflix.</p><p>“ELWAY, a new documentary following the life and career of pro football legend John Elway, is coming to Netflix. From Netflix, Skydance Sports, NFL Films, and Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions.”</p><p>Elway’s life on and off the field should be <a href="https://deadline.com/2024/12/john-elway-documentary-netflix-1236229376/" rel="noopener">on full display</a> in the documentary, according to deadline.com.</p><p>“The documentary feature will follow his life on and off the field including being drafted to play baseball by the New York Yankees, starring in one of the greatest games in college football history, and winning two Super Bowls as a player and a third as an executive with the Broncos.”</p><h2><b>Former Broncos QB John Elway had interesting journey</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Former-Denver-Broncos-QB-John-Elway.jpg"></figure><p>Ken Rodgers is director the documentary. He said Elway’s career had iconic properties as well as mythological ones.</p><p>“His physical abilities, mental toughness and raw determination are the stuff of legend,” said Rodgers. “We are all honored to partner with Netflix to tell the story of the man behind the legend.”</p><p>The then-Baltimore Colts drafted the future Hall of Famer No. 1 overall in 1983. After Elway refused to play for the Colts, they agreed to trade him to the Denver Broncos in exchange for offensive tackle Chris Hinton (who was Denver’s first-round pick in 1983), quarterback Mark Herrmann, and a 1984 first-round pick (guard Ron Solt).</p><p>Current Broncos coach Sean Payton called it <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/sean-payton-says-john-elway-090030123.html#:~:text=After%20John%20Elway%20refused%20to,pick%20(guard%20Ron%20Solt)." rel="noopener">a huge mistake</a> by the Colts, according to yahoo.com.</p><p>“I always said I would have never made that trade,” Payton said. “I would have forced him to play with the Yankees. (And) I think it was the 40th anniversary recently of that trade. I texted him (it’s) the worst trade in the history of football.”</p><p>Elway played all 16 of his NFL seasons with the Broncos. He earned the AP most valuable player award in 1987 and captured nine Pro Bowl awards. Elway passed for 51,475 yards and 300 career touchdowns. On the ground, Elway racked up 3,407 yards with 33 more scores.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Netflix announces initial details of new John Elway doc

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/broncos-news-bo-nix-slaps-team-with-important-reminder-collapse-vs-chargers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bo Nix slaps Broncos with important reminder after collapse vs. Chargers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bo-Nix-slaps-Denver-with-important-reminder-after-Week-16-collapse-vs.jpg"></figure><h1>Bo Nix slaps Broncos with important reminder after collapse vs. Chargers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-19T22:43:09-08:00">December 19th, 10:43pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-19T22:43:34-08:00">December 19th, 10:43pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Denver Broncos</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Mile High City’s lengthy dry spell is not over yet. With a chance to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since the 2015-16 NFL season, the Denver Broncos (9-6) wilted in the second half and fell to the Los Angeles Chargers, 34-27. A wacky and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/chargers-news-cameron-dicker-stuns-nfl-broncos-game-rare-feat-seen-1976">rare fair-catch free kick</a> dampened a hot start for Sean Payton’s group and portended a dismal ending to their Thursday Night Football matchup.</p><p>The Broncos’ inability to score a touchdown in the final 30 minutes of game time (held to two field goals), along with a concerning vulnerability against chunk plays, results in them sliding back to the final <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/afc-playoff-picture-after-steelers-texans-clinch-their-spots-in-week-15">AFC Wild Card slot</a>. They are leaving the door ajar for the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and their Week 17 opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals.</p><p>Bo Nix played respectably, completing 29-of-40 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns, but he is <a href="https://x.com/christomasson/status/1869970351188521042" rel="noopener">dissatisfied with how the offense executed</a> coming out of halftime. The rookie quarterback is also not downplaying the importance of next Sunday’s game in Paycor Stadium.</p><p>“No excuses,” Nix told the media after the loss, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. “We got to move the ball better… We know this next one is the most important.”</p><h2><b>Broncos cannot lose their edge now</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Broncos-HC-Sean-Payton-observes-his-team.jpg"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Denver’s wait for postseason football could end with a win versus the Bengals (6-8), but it has issues that must be addressed before the pivotal showdown. The Broncos found early success in LA by trusting their running backs, which helped them score touchdowns on their first three drives. Strangely, however, head coach Sean Payton veered away from the rushing game in the second half. Variety is an essential part of any offensive strategy, especially one that involves a rookie signal-caller.</p><p>Although Bo Nix has shown remarkable growth this year, he still has plenty to grasp. Masking limitations in high-stakes competition while also facilitating development is a demanding challenge that few franchises can effectively overcome. Still, it is a dilemma the Broncos and their fans are grateful to be faced with during the final stretch of the campaign.</p><p>Denver will reflect on its TNF missteps and devise a plan that can finally get the franchise back to the postseason.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bo Nix slaps Broncos with important reminder after collapse vs. Chargers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/chargers-news-jim-harbaugh-cameron-dicker-free-kick-broncos');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh opens up about Cameron Dicker’s wild free kick vs. Broncos');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Chargers-news-Jim-Harbaugh-opens-up-about-Cameron-Dickers-wild-free-kick-vs.-Broncos.jpg"></figure><h1>Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh opens up about Cameron Dicker’s wild free kick vs. Broncos</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-19T22:35:37-08:00">December 19th, 10:35pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-19T22:35:37-08:00">December 19th, 10:35pm</time><address><a>Dakota Zientek</a>Dakota Zientek graduated from the University of Iowa in 2020 and has been writing about the NFL ever since. As a die-hard NFL fan, Dakota's fandom rides with the Chicago Bears through thick and thin -- regardless of how much pain it has caused his heart throughout the years. One day, he believes he will celebrate the Bears winning a Super Bowl. Maybe even... a few?</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Denver Broncos</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In Thursday Night Football between the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/broncos-vs-chargers-predictions-pick-odds-spread-for-nfl-week-16-2024">Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos</a>, an abnormal rule was implemented, informing many people for the first time that this rule existed. Going into halftime, the Broncos punted the ball and got hit with a fair catch interference penalty. As a result of that play, the Chargers could opt for Cameron Dicker to attempt <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/chargers-news-cameron-dicker-stuns-nfl-broncos-game-rare-feat-seen-1976">a fair catch free kick</a> by kicking a field goal from exactly where the interference occurred. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh— an immensely competitive person— <a href="https://x.com/krisrhim1/status/1869969142583046309" rel="noopener">expressed his love for the abnormal rule</a> in his post-game press conference, per ESPN’s Kris Rhim on X.</p><p>“It’s my favorite rule in football,” Harbaugh said. “Been trying to get one of those like every game.”</p><p>While it’s Harbaugh’s self-proclaimed favorite rule in the NFL, Dicker had <a href="https://x.com/krisrhim1/status/1869965910066552990" rel="noopener">no idea of the rule</a> until their special teams coordinator, Ryan Ficken, began practicing the rule in practice, per Rhim on X.</p><p>“Cameron Dicker said the Chargers have always practiced the fair catch free kick under Special Teams coord Ryan Ficken,” Rhim wrote. “He said they watch Panthers kicker Joey Slye’s 60-yard attempt from 2019 every Friday. Dicker said he had no clue this rule was a thing before Ficken.”</p><p>So, although Dicker was unaware of the rule himself before Ficken taught him, it wouldn’t have changed much for the third-year Chargers kicker.</p><h2><b>Chargers’ K Cameron Dicker having Pro-Bowl season under Jim Harbaugh</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cameron-Dicker_33ab00.jpg"><figcaption>Dale Zanine-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>In one of the best Pro Bowl advertisements on social media, Dicker could be voted to the team based on the video alone.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">seriously, don't be a d*ck.</p><p>repost to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/probowlvote?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#probowlvote</a> for cameron dicker <a href="https://t.co/w1NVmbQU9i">pic.twitter.com/w1NVmbQU9i</a></p><p>— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) <a href="https://twitter.com/chargers/status/1869457852542382515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Not only is the video incredible but Dicker’s been having another strong season in 2024.</p><p>After bouncing around the league after going undrafted and playing in one game for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, Dicker joined the Chargers that same season and has been lights out since. Now, Dicker is one of the best kickers in the league, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/chargers-news-la-cameron-dicker-passes-evan-mcpherson-22-million-contract">landing one of the top contracts at the position</a>.</p><p>Through 14 games in 2024, Dicker has been 29-of-31 on field goals, missing just two kicks on the entire year. However, with that, Dicker missed the first extra point of his career, following it up with two more on the year. On extra points, Dicker is 25-of-28, making 54-of-59 total kicks on the year for a complete percentage of 91.5%.</p><p>However, with two more games on the schedule, the Chargers need Dicker to remain locked in, having not missed an extra point in the last six games.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh opens up about Cameron Dicker’s wild free kick vs. Broncos

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/chargers-news-denzel-perryman-injury-first-game-back-week-10');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chargers’ Denzel Perryman suffers injury in first game back since Week 10');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Denzel-Perryman-suffers-injury-in-first-game-back-since-Week-10.jpg"></figure><h1>Chargers’ Denzel Perryman suffers injury in first game back since Week 10</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-19T21:41:21-08:00">December 19th, 9:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-19T21:41:21-08:00">December 19th, 9:41pm</time><address><a>Dakota Zientek</a>Dakota Zientek graduated from the University of Iowa in 2020 and has been writing about the NFL ever since. As a die-hard NFL fan, Dakota's fandom rides with the Chicago Bears through thick and thin -- regardless of how much pain it has caused his heart throughout the years. One day, he believes he will celebrate the Bears winning a Super Bowl. Maybe even... a few?</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Denver Broncos</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With the Denver Broncos falling to the Los Angeles Chargers 34-27 on Thursday night, their defense took a key loss. Before halftime in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/broncos-vs-chargers-predictions-pick-odds-spread-for-nfl-week-16-2024">Thursday Night Football between the Chargers and Broncos</a>, linebacker Denzel Perryman suffered a groin injury, removing him from the game for a considerable amount of time. Perryman <a href="https://x.com/alexinsdorf99/status/1869945063846953277" rel="noopener">remained in the locker room</a> after halftime, per Alex Insdorf on X.</p><p>At halftime, the score was 21-13, favoring the Broncos and making Perryman’s exit even more impactful.</p><p>Perryman wouldn’t return for the Chargers, however, leaving the game after just a quarter and some change.</p><p>Though the Chargers’ linebacker made it back on the field for the first time since Week 10, his presence wasn’t felt much, recording just one tackle on Thursday Night Football.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/chargers-news-hayden-hurst-denzel-perryman-ruled-out-ravens-clash">Perryman was out since Week 10</a> after missing the last four games with a nagging groin injury, which he seemingly reaggravated on Thursday night.</p><h2><b>Chargers defeat Broncos as LB Denzel Perryman exits with injury</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Justin-Herbert_0e389b.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Going into halftime of this matchup, it appeared the Broncos could extend their slim lead for second place in the AFC West.</p><p>However, Justin Herbert and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/chargers-news-cameron-dicker-stuns-nfl-broncos-game-rare-feat-seen-1976">Cameron Dicker led the Chargers</a> on a valiant second-half run, out-scoring the Broncos 21-6 in the final two quarters of the night.</p><p>With the Chargers looking to make their playoff push, depth is always a must.</p><p>And as the 2024 regular season closes, Los Angeles has two games remaining: New England and Las Vegas, two of the lowest-ranked teams in the NFL.</p><p>On the other side, Denver finishes their season with two difficult opponents: Cincinnati and Kansas City.</p><p>When looking at both teams’ end-of-the-season, the Chargers might’ve lucked out considerably well. Instead of facing two high-powered teams in the Bengals and Chiefs, they end the year playing two teams potentially hunting for the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.</p><p>And with this crucial victory against the Broncos on Thursday night, their chances of ending the season in second place within their division improve dramatically.</p><p>However, with two must-win games remaining on their schedule, the Chargers’ health remains one of the most important factors moving forward for Jim Harbaugh and his team.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chargers’ Denzel Perryman suffers injury in first game back since Week 10

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/chargers-news-cameron-dicker-stuns-nfl-broncos-game-rare-feat-seen-1976');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chargers’ Cameron Dicker stuns NFL world in Broncos game with rare feat last seen in 1976');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Chargers-news-Cameron-Dicker-stuns-NFL-world-in-Broncos-game-with-rare-feat-last-seen-in-1976.jpg"></figure><h1>Chargers’ Cameron Dicker stuns NFL world in Broncos game with rare feat last seen in 1976</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-19T20:34:06-08:00">December 19th, 8:34pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-19T20:47:25-08:00">December 19th, 8:47pm</time><address><a>Mike Gianakos</a>Mike Gianakos is the former editor-in-chief of High Times magazine, where he also spearheaded the video department and event production. He is a longtime podcaster and even longer suffering NY Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Denver Broncos</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Denver Broncos in a pivotal divisional clash Thursday night. The Chargers rebounded from an <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/chargers-news-jim-harbaugh-thorough-truth-bomb-ugly-loss-buccaneers">ugly loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> in Week 15 and moved into second-place in the AFC West. While Denver jumped out to an early lead, Cameron Dicker kept LA in the game in the first half – and he <a href="https://x.com/ProFootballTalk/status/1869935416800837947" rel="noopener">made a bit of history</a> as well.</p><p>As time expired in the second quarter of Thursday night’s matchup, the third-year kicker nailed a 57-yard fair catch kick. It was the first successful attempt of the rare kick since 1976, according to ProFootballTalk on X.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">A rare fair catch free kick results in a Cameron Dicker 57-yard FG for the <a href="https://twitter.com/chargers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chargers</a> 🤯</p><p>It's the first free kick FG since 1976! <a href="https://t.co/yb0cyPuKnR">pic.twitter.com/yb0cyPuKnR</a></p><p>— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1869937625555186073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>A fair catch kick is a free kick that can be attempted from the spot of a fair catch and, like a field goal, it’s worth three points. The Broncos punted with eight seconds remaining in the second quarter. Chargers’ wideout Derius Davis made the fair catch at LA’s 38-yard-line but an interference call against the Broncos moved the ball up 15 yards. With no time left on the clock, Chargers’ head coach Jim Harbaugh ran Dicker out to give the fair catch kick a try.</p><h2><b>Dicker the Kicker made history for the Chargers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cameron-Dicker.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Interestingly, the Chargers are the <a href="https://x.com/KyleBrandt/status/1869936337366794579" rel="noopener">last team</a> to make a fair catch kick, when Ray Wersching hit one 48 years ago, per Kyle Brandt.</p><p>LA’s defense gave up more than 30 points for the first time all season in last week’s <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/chargers-most-blame-week-15-loss-buccaneers">disappointing loss to the Buccaneers</a>. The defeat dropped the Chargers to 8-6 on the season but the team has now passed the Broncos in the Wild Card race. Los Angeles moved into the second Wild Card spot with a 34-27 Week 16 win.</p><p>Starting quarterback <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/chargers-news-justin-herbert-injury-report-broncos">Justin Herbert was able to play</a> against the Broncos after limited practices this week. The fifth-year veteran has been dealing with a nagging ankle injury he sustained in Week 14’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers next head to New England to take on the Patriots in Week 17. The team can still claim the top Wild Card spot currently occupied by the 9-5 Baltimore Ravens.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chargers’ Cameron Dicker stuns NFL world in Broncos game with rare feat last seen in 1976

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl-rumors-how-jerry-jeudys-madden-rating-nuked-trade-jets');   ga('set', 'title', 'NFL rumors: How Jerry Jeudy’s Madden rating nuked a trade to Jets');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NFL-rumors-How-Jerry-Jeudys-Madden-rating-nuked-a-trade-to-Jets.jpg"></figure><h1>NFL rumors: How Jerry Jeudy’s Madden rating nuked a trade to Jets</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-19T06:29:24-08:00">December 19th, 6:29am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-19T08:01:43-08:00">December 19th, 8:01am</time><address><a>Owen Crisafulli</a>Owen Crisafulli is a Senior Editor and NFL Lead at ClutchPoints. He recently received his Masters in Business Administration from Nichols College. Previously, he obtained his Bachelor's degree in Sport Management and for a while ran his own sports website. Sports are his passion, and he thoroughly enjoys writing about thoughts and opinions that are related to the game. He has been a lifelong fan of the major professional teams in Boston and loves discussing all topics surrounding those teams.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Browns</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The New York Jets 2024 campaign has been <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/jets-aaron-rodgers-issues-nsfw-vax-status-rant-to-critics">miserable</a>, despite the fact they have a ton of talent that should be leading them to wins. In fact, it turns out they could have had another talented player helping them out on offense in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/browns-news-kevin-stefanski-celebrates-jerry-jeudy-for-monster-game-back-in-denver">Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy</a>, but they backed out of a trade for him over the offseason for an absolutely mind-boggling reason.</p><p>The Denver Broncos traded Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns back in March in exchange for a fifth-round and sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, prior to that, the Jets were reportedly close to trading for Jeudy instead of the Browns. The deal ended up getting nixed, though, because New York owner Woody Johnson felt Jeudy’s rating in the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6005172/2024/12/19/woody-johnson-jets-madden-sons/?source=emp_shared_article" rel="noopener">popular “Madden” video game series was too low</a>.</p><p>“Douglas and his Broncos counterpart, George Paton, were deep in negotiations for a trade that would have sent Jeudy to the Jets and given future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers another potential playmaker. The Broncos felt a deal was near. Then, abruptly, it all fell apart. In Denver’s executive offices, they couldn’t believe the reason why. Douglas told the Broncos that Johnson didn’t want to make the trade because the owner felt Jeudy’s player rating in “Madden NFL,” the popular video game, wasn’t high enough, according to multiple league sources,” Zack Rosenblatt, Dianna Russini, and Michael Silver of The Athletic reported.</p><h2><b>Jets surely wished they would have traded for Jerry Jeudy</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Browns-wide-receiver-Jerry-Jeudy.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Yes, you read that correctly. Johnson turned down a trade for Jeudy because he believed his rating in “Madden 24” was too low. Not only could New York have used another weapon on offense, but Jeudy has gone on to have a breakout campaign with the Browns. Through 14 games, Jeudy has racked up 70 receptions for 1,052 yards (both career highs) and four touchdowns.</p><p>While New York has Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams at their disposal, which should be more than enough for their offense to be successful, they could have had another stud that would have been arguably the best wide receiver trio in the league. Instead, the Jets are left wondering what could have been as they crawl towards the conclusion of the 2024 campaign.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024 SEASON STATS
RECEPTIONS	RECEIVING YDS	TOUCHDOWNS	POSITION RANK
49.5	455.8	2.9	79

2024 SEASON STATS
RECEPTIONS	RECEIVING YDS	TOUCHDOWNS	POSITION RANK
49.5	455.8	2.9	79

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