The Lead
As the Broncos have jumped out to a 2-0 start to their season, perhaps no one has been more impressive to viewers than quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Vikings receiver Cris Carter gave Bridgewater a figurative game ball during a segment of NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” taking particular pride in Bridgewater's resilience after a career-threatening injury in 2016.
"I've seen Teddy Bridgewater, with competent people around him, be able to lead a team to the playoffs," Carter said. "But if you look at what he's done this season — forget yesterday, where he threw for 328 [yards] — because people just look at him as a game manager. Let me tell you something, the people that say that — if my team happens to manage to win, I don't care what the guy does. I don't care if he runs it, I don't care if he does cartwheels. I don't care. He manages to win, and he's won at every level.
"This season: 77 percent completion. Close to 600 yards, four 'tuds' [touchdowns], zero interceptions and one of the most horrific injuries. I talked to the Vikings staff. He drops back and shatters his knee with the Vikings. Something he's done thousands of times. But to see him, his overall sports character, to see him grow as a human being — great story happening there in Denver with one of the great human beings that we have playing the game. Teddy Bridgewater deserves a game ball with the Denver Broncos."
What may be more impressive may be the company he's keeping with this start to the season, as NFL.com’s Adam Schein writes.
"In Sunday's 23-13 road win at Jacksonville, Bridgewater posted his second straight start with 250-plus passing yards, a completion percentage north of 75, a pair of TD strikes and ZERO interceptions," Schein wrote. "In the past quarter-century, according to NFL Research, just two other quarterbacks have accomplished that in the first two games of a season: Drew Brees in 2018 and Aaron Rodgers in 2015. Not bad company, eh?"
Ultimately, Bridgewater's play could give the Broncos just the boost they need for their playoff hopes. Writing for FOX Sports, NFL analyst Bucky Brooks argues that with Bridgewater playing the way he is, the Broncos are playoff contenders.
"With Bridgewater playing winning football (zero turnovers) while racking up solid numbers as a passer, it is going to be difficult to knock off the Broncos," Brooks wrote. "Given Bridgewater's 24-12 mark as a starter when playing on teams with playoff-caliber rosters (see Minnesota, New Orleans and Denver), we probably should have known his presence would help the Broncos make a move in the AFC.
Below the Fold
Bridgewater isn't the only Bronco that turned heads this week. Receiver Courtland Sutton made a career day for himself with nine receptions for 159 yards.
With that performance, Sutton earned a spot on Pro Football Focus’ Week 2 Team of the Week roster. Sutton tied Rams WR Cooper Kupp for the top receiving rating this week recorded prior to the Monday night game.
Broncos safety Kareem Jackson joins Sutton on the Team of the Week as well. Jackson helped Denver's defense turn in a dominant performance against the Jaguars with an impressive interception on Trevor Lawrence.
