Sakmann News, Entertainment and Sports

In my Madden franchise, the Denver Broncos are 5-3 at the season’s halfway point, trailing the 8-1 Kansas City Chiefs. Will the Broncos make the playoffs? Read on to find out how the rest of the regular season unfolds as I take control of Bo Nix and company.

Superstar Dev Trait Challenge

Get Marvin Mims Jr. three touchdowns OR 150 yards from scrimmage against the Bills in Week 10.

Week 10: At Buffalo Bills (9-0) on Monday Night Football

Broncos defense blanketed the Bills receivers on the opening drive, ending with a Nik Bonitto sack followed by a Pat Surtain II interception.

Nix quickly answered with a strike to Courtland Sutton for his third touchdown of the season, 7-0 Broncos. After a surprising three-and-out for Buffalo, the Broncos tacked on a field goal for a 10-0 lead.

A once-promising Bills drive was halted by an Allen sack on Allen, and Buffalo settled for a field goal for their first score of the game.

The Broncos answered with a quick drive, ending with a 17-yard Harvey receiving touchdown, 17-3 Broncos.

The Bills answered with a long touchdown drive, 17-10 Broncos.

On third down of their next drive, Nix aired out a 70-yard touchdown to Vele, 24-10 Broncos. Denver added a field goal as well before halftime… and another one, with less than 40 seconds leading another scoring drive! 30-10 Denver heading in to halftime.

In the second half, Nix threw his first pick in over six quarters. Jahdae Barron got one back on the very next play. Harvey punched it in for another rushing touchdown, as the AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year leader chases Derrick Henry for the league lead in rushing TD’s. 37-10 Broncos.

Nix punched it in himself on a QB draw, as the blowout was on, 44-10. Allen and Nix traded interceptions on the next two drives (Riley Moss had it for Denver.)

Player Stats

Bo Nix: 24-for-40, 318 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT, 13 rush, 153 yards, TD

Harvey: 21 rush, 122 yards, TD, 3 rec, 21 yards, TD

Dobbins: 8 rush, 44 yards, 2 rec, 12 yards

Vele: 1 rec, 70-yard TD

Mims Jr.: 4 rec, 53 yards

Engram: 5 rec, 49 yards

Sutton: 4 rec, 44 yards, TD

INT: Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, Jahdae Barron

Undefeated Slayer

The Broncos beat the 8-0 Chiefs and 9-0 Bills in back-to-back games to improve to 6-3, and are the talk of the league with a smash mouth defense and a three-headed rushing monster in R.J. Harvey, J.K. Dobbins, and quarterback Bo Nix. If Nix can keep his interceptions down, the sky is the limit for Denver

Week 11: Vs. Minnesota Vikings (4-6) on Sunday Night Football

The Broncos got the ball first, and Nix had an opening drive fumble, struggling to hold the ball while shifting to a scramble on a play action slide play. Denver’s defense held J.J. McCarthy’s offense to a quick three-and-out, but it still yielded Minnesota a 47-yard field goal. 3-0 Vikings early in the first quarter.

On Denver’s next drive, Harvey ripped off an 18-yard touchdown run on 3rd-and-5, for his 14th ground score of the year, 7-3 Broncos.

Another three-and-out for Minnesota, and another rushing touchdown for R.J. Harvey. 14-3 Broncos as the rookie running back continues a stellar campaign. J.K. Dobbins already reached 50 yards himself, and there was still 0:13 left in the first quarter.

The Vikings third drive also didn’t yield a first down, this time with McCarthy airing out an INT to Riley Moss.

Nix found Dobbins on a nifty screen pass for an easy touchdown pass, 21-3 Broncos early in the second quarter.

The Vikings finally got moving on their fourth drive, with McCarthy punching in a 7-yard touchdown run to cut the Broncos lead to 21-10. Minnesota then forced a three-and-out of their own, and capitalized with another touchdown drive: 21-17 Broncos with 0:42 to play in the first half, with Minnesota set to receive the second half kickoff.

The Broncos nearly cooked a last-second field goal drive, but the clock ran out as Nix attempted to spike the ball.

Hufanga picked off McCarthy on the first play of the second half, and it was all R.J. Harvey on a short drive, scoring his 3rd touchdown of the day and 16th rushing score of the year. 28-17 Broncos.

McCarthy found Justin Jefferson for a tip-toe touchdown, and got a two-point conversion, 28-25 Broncos as the sweat was on.

In the redzone, Nix threw an INT, and missed tackling allowed it to become a pick six. 32-28 Vikings, fourth quarter about to start.

A pretty quick drive (more ground-and-pound with both running backs and Nix) ended with Harvey’s fourth rushing score of the day, putting the Broncos up three. 35-32 Broncos with 6:30 to play.

P.J. Locke picked off McCarthy to end a promising drive: the Vikings almost could have controlled the clock through the end of the game.

But when they should have been running, Nix coughed up a fumble, that was luckily called back due to a facemask penalty on the hit that caused the fumble.

Broncos hold on to win 35-32, improving to 7-3

Player Stats

Nix: 18-of-23, 159 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 6 rush, 47 yards

Harvey: 26 rush, 133 yards, 4 TD

Dobbins: 24 rush, 129 yards, 1 rec, 14 yards, TD

Mims Jr.: 6 rec, 57 yards

Engram: 6 rec, 61 yards

Sutton: No catches

INT: Locke, Moss, Tufanga

Rushing Challenge

Earn XP for offensive lineman based on how many rushing yards Broncos gain against Browns.

Week 12: Vs. Cleveland Browns (4-6)

Bo Nix vs. Colorado legend Shedeur Sanders. Color rush, Orange Broncos vs. White Browns.

The Broncos settled for field goals on their first two drives, 6-0.

The Browns first two drives ended in a three-and-out and a Riley Moss INT.

J.K. Dobbins got a third down touchdown run, his 6th of the year, but he couldn’t punch in the two-point conversion. 12-0 Broncos.

R.J. Harvey scored next, his 20th overall touchdown, 19-0 Broncos.

The Browns managed a field goal before halftime, 19-3, and received the second half kickoff. They didn’t do anything with it, but got a pick off Bo Nix, and turned that in to seven points, 19-9 after a missed two-point conversion.

22-9 Broncos after a drive stalled in the redzone. Sanders and Nix traded picks. Nix threw another one, missing a wide-open Trautman, in the redzone,

Browns didn’t score, Broncos did, with a chip shot field goal to go up 25-9 with 4:21 to play.

Broncos win 33-15, improve to 8-3

Standings Update

Chiefs are 9-2 leading the AFC West, but the Broncos are just a game behind at 8-3. Broncos currently hold the top wildcard spot in the AFC, with a one-game lead over the 7-4 New England Patriots and a two-game lead over the 6-5 Tennessee Titans/Indianapolis Colts.

Week 13: At Texans (3-8)

A once-promising opening drive for the Broncos ended with Nix being sacked and then throwing his 29th interception of the season on the next play.

Denver’s defense forced a big sack to stop Houston’s opening drive, in return.

Who else would score first, but R.J. Harvey, with his 20th rushing touchdown of the season through 13 games.

A blown one-on-one tackle allowed Joe Mixon to break free for a big 60-yard touchdown reception. 7-7 early in the second quarter.

Nix hit Troy Franklin for his first catch of the season: a touchdown, to cap a long drive, giving the Broncos a 14-7 lead.

Blown coverage again (no one was on him!) led to a 44-yard reception to spark Houston’s next drive. Stroud found tight end Jordan for a touchdown, tying the game at 14.

Nix threw his second interception of the game just outside the two-minute warning: floating it up again.

Stroud shredded the Broncos defense again: his stats were getting insane at this point. Joe Mixon pounded it in to put Houston up 21-14 with a minute left in the first half.

Trying to evade a sack, Nix tossed his third pick of the afternoon.

The Texans squeezed in a field goal before halftime: C.J. Stroud was 13-of-14 for 240 yards and 2 TD’s at the half. Nix even threw a fourth pick on a Hail Mary to end the half. 24-14 Houston and they were set to receive the second half kickoff.

Houston missed a long 54-yard field goal, setting up the Broncos with decent field position, and they responded with a 54-yard field goal of their own. 24-17 Houston with 5:39 left in the third.

Then in scoring range, Nix threw his 5th interception: a 75-yard pick six. 31-17 Texans.

The Broncos answered with a quick score, with some timely passing and another Harvey TD run. 31-24 Texans. Denver’s defense then stopped a Houston drive with a big sack (Nik Bonnito) before it could get started.

A feracious Harvey-Dobbins combo moved the Broncos down the field for a 93-yard drive, punching it in with Harvey’s third of the day. 31-31 with 4:40 left to play.

Houston was driving, but a Bonitto strip-sack put the Texans on a 3rd-and-19. The Texans went for a 59-yard field goal, again no good.

Lutz hit an ice-cold, “high-pressure” (different animation in Madden) 47-yard field goal to take the lead with 0:05 left.

Broncos win 34-31 to improve to 9-3

Game Stats

Nix: 15-of-24, 141 yards, 1 TD, 5 INT, 7 rush, 62 yards

Harvey: 27 rush, 172 yards, 3 TD, 1 rec, 5 yards

Dobbins: 17 rush, 112 yards, 2 rec, 9 yards

Engram: 3 rec, 25 yards

Mims Jr.: 2 rec, 27 yards

Franklin: 1 rec, 9-yard TD

Week 14: At Los Angeles Chargers (5-7)

Zach Allen forced an opening drive fumble, recovered by Nik Bonnito, to set up the Broncos early on the Chargers 34-yard line. A 34-yard pass from Nix to Mims Jr. put the Broncos on the inch-line, and who else but R.J. Harvey, with his 25th touchdown of the season.

The Broncos quickly picked off Herbert for a second turnover (Skinner), but Mims Jr. fumbled after getting rocked on a hit over the middle on the next play. Herbert and the Chargers (the #1 offense in the NFL despite the 5-7 record) responded with a long TD drive to tie the game at 7.

Dobbins got the next score for the Broncos following a nifty drive (tight end screen, Marvin Mims rush) to take a 14-7 lead.

Rookie Jahdae Barron picked off a pass and brought it 55 yards to the house for a pick six, 21-7 Broncos. But Nix threw his first pick of the game of the following drive, allowing the Chargers a quick and easy TD drive, 21-14.

On a surgical two-minute drive, Nix connected with fullback Adkins for a passing TD: 28-14 Broncos with 0:33 left in the half. Pat Surtain II added a pick before the halftime buzzer.

To start the second half, Nix fumbled diving for a first down, and it was returned for an unlikely touchdown: until it was overturned, the returner stepped out of bounds. The Chargers settled for a field goal, 28-17.

Nix threw another pick, halting a promising drive, As the craziness continued, Pat Surtain II appeared to scoop a fumble and run it back 60 yards, but the fumble was overturned. Touchdown on the next play, 28-25 Broncos, following a successful two-point attempt.

Nix hit Vele for a 69-yard gain, but settled for a field goal, 31-25 Broncos. Broncos defense bended but didn’t break, as the Chargers kicked a FG, 31-28, 4:19 to play.

J.K. Dobbins busted out a 73-yard TD run on the very next play, using two filthy jokes to beat two separate defenders one-on-one in the open field, 38-28.

Following a Chargers onside kick, the Broncos tacked on another field goal with 0:18 left, and the Chargers had no timeouts.

Broncos win 38-35, improve to 10-3

Game Stats

Nix: 21-for-29, 219 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 3 rush, 18 yards

Harvey: 9 rush, 58 yards, TD, 6 rec, 36 yards

Dobbins: 9 rush, 127 yards, 2 TD

Vele: 4 rec, 90 yards

Mims Jr.: 4 rec, 52 yards

Week 15: At Detroit Lions (6-7)

Like clockwork, another opening drive INT for Nix: missing a wide open Engram on a comeback route.

The Lions,, the NFL’s new #1 offense according to the commentators, couldn’t connect on a long field goal. The Broncos struck back with a short field, hitting a field goal for a 3-0 lead.

A long Lions drive led by a Surgical Goff and a Hungry Gibbs settled for a field goal, 3-3.

Nix found Mims Jr. for a big gain, then Harvey pounded in his 26th overall (24th rushing) touchdown of the season, 10-3.

Straund forced a fumble, recovered by Zach Allen, on a ferocious pass rush. Nix hit third-string RB Jaleel McLaughlin on a touchdown pass to take a 17-3 lead.

Lions kicker couldn’t connect on another 50-yarder after a two-minute drill. The Broncos squeezed in a touchdown pass to Vele at the halftime buzzer, and connected for two points on a fullback run: 25-3 lead at the half.

Goff found LaPorta in the endzone to cap their second half opening drive, 25-11 after a two-point conversion,

An unfortunate turn of events: Broncos couldn’t convert on fourth down at the Lions’ 19-yard line, and then about to force a punt, the Lions drew a 48-yard pass interference penalty on the Broncos. The Lions made it a one-score game, 25-18 with 9 minutes left to play.

Harvey was mysteriously unavailable (rest after “overuse?”) but the Broncos got a field goal to create a cushion, 28-18 with 6 minutes left.

With the game on the line, the Broncos defense forced a fumble, and the offense (with almost all the starters sitting, too much cardio?) Nix and A.T. Perry moved the ball, and Nix found Engram for a touchdown.

Pat Surtain II somehow got Mossed (more fatigue?) and the Lions added a touchdown late. Nix found Engram again for good measure.

Broncos win 42-25, improve to 11-3

Game Stats

Nix: 28-for-26, 314 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT, 4 rush, 45 yards

Harvey: 7 rush, 41 yards, TD, 1 rec, 5 yards

Dobbins: 13 rush, 53 yards

Engram: 7 rec, 83 yards, 2 TD

Vele: 5 rec, 46 yards, 1 TD

Perry: 3 rec, 50 yards

Mims Jr. 2 rec, 51 yards

INT: Barron

AFC West Up for Grabs

The Broncos and Chiefs are tied at 11-3, with three games left to play. After a midseason struggle and soul-searching, Denver has rattled off eight straight wins to get to a red-hot 11-3.

Week 16: Vs. New England Patriots

Giveth and taketh away: the Broncos benefited from a big pass interference penalty, then Nix threw an interception on the next play.

Another long Broncos drive was ended with a pick thrown in the end zone.

Overall, Denver played a sloppy first half. But with the Patriots holding a 10-7 lead and driving for a late field goal, the Broncos came up with a big sack, and with just one 10-yard pass, flipped the field for a 56-yard field goal, tying the game at 10 heading in to halftime.

The rest of the game was sloppy as well (Nix had 4 total INT) but whenever the Patriots needed a big play, Drake Maye was promptly sacked. Broncos win 26-24 on last-second field goal.

Broncos win 26-24, improve to 12-3

Player Stats

Nix: 23-for-32, 216 yards, 0 TD, 4 INT, 5 rush, 65 yards

Dobbins: 13 rush, 51 yards, 2 TD

Harvey: 3 rush, 23 yards. 1 rec, 9 yards (mysteriously pulled early for second straight game)

McLaughlin: 8 rush, 34 yards

Mims Kr.: 7 rec, 80 yards (emerging as go-to receiver over the middle, as well as improving his punt return game)

Sutton: 3 rec, 50 yards

Engram: 5 rec, 44 yards

Franklin-Myers: 2 sacks

P.J. Locke: INT

Week 17: Vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Back in action, R.J. Harvey scored his 27th overall touchdown, the 3rd-most in a single season, on the Broncos opening drive.

Harvey got his 28th to put the Broncos up 14-3, and Bo Nix had only attempted (and completed) two passes so far.

After a silly sequence (Broncos INT -> fumble -> DJ Chark return TD, followed by a Nix fumble that set up Los Angeles directly in the red zone) it was 17-14 Chargers in a whirlwind.

Chargers took a 20-14 lead in to halftime, and received the second half kick. They punted, but a J.K. Dobbins fumble set up a Herbert to Mike Williams 34-yard TD: 26-14 Chargers after a missed two-point.

Chargers scored again but couldn’t get two, for a 32-17 lead heading in to the fourth quarter.

Nix got a big third down run but then fumbled. Justin Herbert, having an elite day, was shaken up, but Taylor Heincke delivered another TD pass nonetheless, 39-17 Chargers with 5 minutes to go.

Broncos lose 39-25, fall to 12-4 for first loss in eight weeks

Game Stats

Nix: 14-for-22, 149 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 14 rush, 113 yards, 2 fumbles (1 lost)

Dobbins: 14 rush, 84 yards, TD, 3 rec, 9 yards

Harvey: 6 rush, 27 yards, 2 TD

Mims Jr.: 4 rec, 48 yards

Sutton: 1 rec, 29 yards

Playoff Scenarios Heading In to Week 18

Broncos are now 12-4, finally cooling off and suffering a loss, but at the worst time. The Chiefs are also 12-4, a win last week would have had the Broncos controlling their own destiny. Luckily, the Broncos would easily be the 5th seed, but they could also have the #1 or #2 seed (Buffalo Bills lead the conference at 13-3).

Week 18: At Las Vegas Raiders

The Broncos capitalized on the second of two Geno Smith interception’s with R.J. Harvey’s 29th touchdown of the season, just two short of Ladanian Tomlinson’s all-time record.

Broncos led just 14-13 at the half, despite three interceptions thrown by Geno, but received the second half kickoff and extended their lead to 17-13.

The Broncos blew open the game, as Geno Smith just couldn’t stop throwing picks (five interceptions.)

Broncos win 45-19, finish 13-4 on the season

Game Stats

Geno Smith: 39-for59, 334 yards, 2 TD, 5 INT, our real MVP

Bo Nix: 16-for-21, 153 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 2 rush, 16 yards

Harvey: 12 rush, 64 yards, TD, 4 rec, 3 yards

Dobbins: 11 rush, 65 yards, TD, 1 rec, 11 yards

Sutton: 4 rec, 41 yards, TD

Vele: 3 rec, 57 yards, TD

End of Regular Season

Broncos finish 13-4, earning the 5th seed in the AFC

Season Stats

Bo Nix: 364-for-535 (68%), 3,802 yards, 24 TD, 42 INT, 122 rushes, 1,134 yards, 7 TD, 21 fumbles

R.J. Harvey: 245 rushes, 1,316 yards, 27 TD, 0 fumbles, 40 catches, 221 yards, 2 TD

J.K. Dobbins: 229 rushes, 1,249 yards, 11 TD, 1 fumble

Courtland Sutton: 59 catches, 825 yards, 4 TD

Devaughn Vele: 56 catches, 734 yards, 6 TD

Marvin Mims Jr.: 55 catches, 707 yards, 3 TD

Evan Engram: 72 catches (team-high), 679 yards, 3 TD

Adam Trautman: 18 catches, 181 yards, 2 TD

Troy Franklin: 4 catches, 42 yards, 1 TD

Nate Adkins: 11 catches, 41 yards, TD, 4 rush, 26 yards

Defenesive Stats

Jahdae Barron and Dre Greenlaw both had 128 tackles

INT: Barron (7), Pat Surtain II (6), Talanoa Hufanga, P.J. Locke, Riley Moss (4)

Sack: Bonitto (12.5) Allen (12) Franklin-Myers (10) Jones (4)

Forced Fumbles: Greenlaw (8), Bonnito (5), Elliss (2)

Fumble Recoveries: Greenlaw (3), Bonitto, Jones, Barron, Moss (2)

Defensive TD: Greenlaw, Barron (1)

Team stats

#1 Offense (Yards, Rushing Yards, PPG)

#1 Defense (Yards)

51 Takeaways (1st in league, next team had 30)

PPG: 34.3

Points Allowed: 29.5 (29th in NFL)

-15 turnover difference (worst in league)

Year-End Awards

No Broncos MVP Votes

Broncos head coach Billy Sakmann wins Coach of the Year

R.J. Harvey finishes 2nd in AFC Offensive Player of the Year behind Derrick Henry

No Broncos for AFC Defensive Player of the Year (how??)

R.J. Harvey wins AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year

Jahdae Barron wins AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year

R.J. Harvey: #2 Best AFC RB, J.K. Dobbins: #6 Best AFC RB

Quinn Meinerz: #6 Best AFC OL

Nik Bonitto: #2 Best AFC LB

Jahdae Barron: #1 Best AFC DB, Pat Surtain II: #2 Best AFC DB, Talanoa Hufanga #10 Best AFC DB

Will Lutz: #1 Best AFC Kicker