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Yes, for those watching the Broncos’ 16-9 win over the Houston Texans on television Sunday, you correctly heard the Mile High crowd counting down the play clock.
The fans started when the play clock went under 10 seconds, undoubtedly a reaction to the Broncos’ offense committing two delay-of-game penalties in last week’s loss at Seattle and having more issues getting plays off Sunday.
“It made us aware,” running back Melvin Gordon said. “(Quarterback) Russell (Wilson) didn’t have to look at the clock anymore. It was different. I’ve never had that before. I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing. Let’s see if they continue to do it.”
Broncos fans are helpfully/mockingly shouting out the play clock on every play as Denver struggles to manage the clock. pic.twitter.com/53p339HGME
— Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) September 18, 2022
Said running back Javonte Williams: “That actually helped us out — we started clicking when they told us about the play clock. We might have to do that every game.”
Surtain, Jeudy injured. Receiver Jerry Jeudy (ribs) and cornerback Pat Surtain II (shoulder) sustained first-half injuries that prevented them from returning to the game.
Jeudy was injured on a trick play when Wilson looked deep to receiver Courtland Sutton, but checked down to Jeudy and threw incomplete.
“Losing (Jeudy), that stymied us a little bit, but I love the fact a lot of guys stepped up,” coach Nathaniel Hackett said.
Penalty problems. The Broncos were called for 13 enforced penalties totaling 100 yards.
Combined with last week’s 12, it is the first time the Broncos have had consecutive games of at least 10 penalties since December 2018 (coach Vance Joseph’s final two games) and only the third time since the start of 2008.
Game balls galore. The Broncos’ first win meant myriad game balls were handed out in the post-game locker room. The Walton Penner Ownership Group, Hackett, Sutton, tight end Eric Saubert, defensive end Dre’Mont Jones, outside linebacker Randy Gregory and kicker Brandon McManus received game balls.
Bonitto scratched. Rookie outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, who played no snaps last week against Seattle, was a healthy scratch on Sunday. Inside linebacker Josey Jewell (calf), right guard Quinn Meinerz (hamstring), receiver KJ Hamler (knee), right tackle Billy Turner (knee), receiver Jalen Virgil and defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike were also inactive.
Footnote. Former Broncos owner Pat Bowlen always wanted the no-show total announced at Mile High, even after the NFL stopped requiring teams to report the figure publicly. The tradition has continued with the Walton-Penner Ownership Group. The Broncos’ attendance was 73,083 with 3,108 no-shows. … Former Broncos backup quarterback Jeff Driskel carried one time for 10 yards as the Texans’ gadget player. … Eight different Broncos caught at least one pass.
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