The Broncos received an unexpected bye in Week 5 after their game against the Patriots was postponed to Week 6. With the players receiving a few well-deserved days away from the practice field before returning to UCHealth Training Center to prepare — again — for the Patriots, we're looking back at the first quarter of the season. In today's installment, we're ranking the Broncos' top plays of 2020 so far.
5. Gordon makes over-the-shoulder touchdown grab
Melvin Gordon III has made several impressive plays this season, including a 43-yard touchdown run that capped the Broncos' 37-28 win over the New York Jets in Week 4. His best play, though, came not via a rushing attempt but through the air in Week 2, as he beat a Steelers defender to the near pylon and caught an over-the-shoulder pass from Jeff Driskel for a 16-yard touchdown. The touchdown kept Denver's hopes of winning the game alive, though they would be unable to cap the comeback.
4. Simmons snags one-handed interception
Gordon's touchdown may have narrowed the gap, but Justin Simmons' one-handed interception earlier in Week 2 swung the momentum in Denver's favor. On third-and-16, Ben Roethlisberger looked deep for JuJu Smith-Schuster, but Simmons stepped in front and stabbed at the ball with his left hand. After securing the takeaway, Simmons weaved through Pittsburgh players to return the interception 40 yards down the field. The Broncos had a penalty enforced against them after the interception, but they still managed to kick-start a third quarter in which they outscored Pittsburgh 11-0.
3. Chubb seals Broncos' win
On several occasions over the last two years, the Broncos have taken a late lead only to see their opponent drive down the field for a game-winning field goal. In Week 4 against the Jets, Bradley Chubb made sure that didn't happen. With the Jets facing a fourth-and-3 from the 50-yard line with just over two minutes to play, Chubb got around the corner on the Jets' left tackle and dipped underneath him to hit Sam Darnold from behind. Chubb nearly knocked the ball out, too, but his sack was good enough to ensure the Broncos would secure their first win of the season.
2. Lock finds Fant for first TD of season
In the first quarter of the Broncos' Week 1 game, Drew Lock faked a handoff to Gordon and rolled to his right as a Titans defender gave chase. Lock threw back across his body to find Noah Fant, who secured the catch in traffic in the end zone. Fant has made several other impressive plays, including a toe-tapping sideline catch against the Steelers, but this play gets the nod because it demonstrated both Lock's athleticism that makes him an intriguing option to be the team's franchise quarterback and his connection with Fant.
1. Jeudy snags unbelievable touchdown
This play could have earned No. 1 honors just for the celebration, as Jerry Jeudy stared back at Pierre Desir before crossing the goal line into the end zone for his first career touchdown. The ensuing dance was pretty good, too. But the catch was nothing short of spectacular, as Jeudy reached over Desir and ripped the ball away to secure the catch. Jeudy had beaten Desir off the line of scrimmage, but the pass was underthrown and likely should've been intercepted by the Jets cornerback. Instead, Jeudy made a tremendous play to turn the pass from a potential disaster into a 48-yard go-ahead touchdown.
