Image Source: Brandon Walker , Broncos Wire
Key Takeaways
- The Denver Broncos are set to face the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round of the playoffs
- RJ Harvey emerged as a top rookie, leading all rookies in touchdowns despite limited carries and touches
- The Broncos struggled with injuries, including the loss of J.K. Dobbins and Alex Singleton’s cancer diagnosis
- Quarterback Bo Nix excelled in the fourth quarter, leading several come-from-behind wins
- The team’s defense struggled to generate takeaways, with only 14 forced turnovers throughout the season
Introduction to the Season Review
The Denver Broncos are gearing up to face the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round of the playoffs, but before moving on to the next game, it’s time to take a look back at the regular season. The team had its fair share of ups and downs, with some players standing out as studs and others as duds. As the article notes, "RJ Harvey had to make a difference after J.K. Dobbins went down with a ligament tear in his foot in the middle of the season." Harvey’s emergence was a significant factor in the team’s success, and he "leads all rookies in touchdowns, despite having far fewer carries and touches than most of the backs selected in April."
Studs of the Season
One of the biggest studs of the season was RJ Harvey, who "was a force catching passes out of the backfield, using his speed to outrun defenders." Harvey’s impressive performance earned him the title of "easily the best offensive rookie of the season." Another standout player was Courtland Sutton, who had his second consecutive 1,000-plus yard receiving season and added seven touchdowns. Sutton continues to be a safety outlet for quarterback Bo Nix, especially on third down, where he led the league in those receptions. As the article notes, "Sutton continues to be the safety outlet for quarterback Bo Nix, especially on third down, where he led the league in those receptions."
Duds of the Season
On the other hand, the team struggled with injuries, which was a major dud of the season. The Broncos lost several key players, including J.K. Dobbins and Alex Singleton, who was diagnosed with cancer in the middle of the year. The team’s defense also struggled to generate takeaways, with only 14 forced turnovers throughout the season. As the article notes, "it was hard for them to generate takeaways. Denver only forced 14 takeaways, including 10 interceptions and only four fumble recoveries." The team’s worst game of the season came against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where Trevor Lawrence had his way with the Denver defense and the Broncos offense stalled.
Quarterback Bo Nix’s Performance
Quarterback Bo Nix was another stud of the season, particularly in the fourth quarter. Nix "was one of the best playmakers in the NFL in the fourth quarter" and led several come-from-behind wins, including the game of the year against the New York Giants. As the article notes, "Nix kept Denver in games, and it felt like you were never out of the fight." Nix’s performance was a significant factor in the team’s success, and he proved himself to be a valuable asset to the team.
Coaching Staff
The Broncos’ coaching staff, led by Sean Payton, was also a stud of the season. Payton was criticized for not opening up the playbook early in the year, but the team’s offense and defense stepped up to the challenge. The staff’s performance was impressive enough to attract attention from other teams, with multiple teams interviewing contributors, including defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi. As the article notes, "Payton’s assembled staff has impressed teams around the NFL, enough for multiple teams to interview multiple contributors."
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Denver Broncos had a mixed season with both studs and duds. While the team struggled with injuries and struggled to generate takeaways, players like RJ Harvey, Courtland Sutton, and Bo Nix stood out as top performers. The team’s coaching staff, led by Sean Payton, also impressed with their ability to adapt and overcome adversity. As the team moves on to the playoffs, they will look to build on their strengths and overcome their weaknesses in order to make a deep run in the postseason.
https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/broncos/2026/01/12/denver-broncos-studs-and-duds-from-2025-season/88137371007/
