The Lead
Justin Simmons is playing like one of the best safeties in the NFL, and the public seems to agree.
After one week of Pro Bowl voting, Simmons has the most votes among all free safeties. His vote total of 74,568 is nearly 32,000 more than the NFC's top vote-getter at the position, Giants safety Logan Ryan. Simmons also leads all safeties — at the free safety and strong safety positions — in the AFC in votes.
Simmons is on pace for a remarkable fifth season in the NFL, as his four interceptions through 10 games already matches his personal single-season record. Including his game-saving pick in the end zone against Miami, Simmons has three interceptions in his past four games.
"Justin's instincts are excellent," Head Coach Vic Fangio said Monday. "That was one of the things I noticed about him when we got here back in 2019. He's progressed beautifully along those lines as he has grasped more of a command of the coverages we play in our overall scheme. That's something that will continue to improve, although he's playing at a high level right now. I think he'll continue to improve in that area, and it'll result in more big plays for him."
But a first career Pro Bowl isn't cinched up just yet for Simmons. There are still three weeks to go, so Broncos fans will want to keep putting their votes in at NFL.com.
And beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 1, fans will also be able to vote directly on Twitter by tweeting the hashtag #ProBowlVote with any of the following: the player's first and last name, their official Twitter handle or a hashtag including the player's first and last name.
Below the Fold
In preparing for the Saints, Simmons and the Broncos will have to do their due diligence on quarterback Taysom Hill, who made his first start just a week ago. The triple-threat quarterback — Hill has thrown for 319 yards, run 44 times for 237 yards and caught six passes for 74 yards so far this season — may not have much tape on him as the team's starter under center, but the Broncos are taking him seriously nonetheless. "What Taysom Hill lacks in starting quarterback experience he makes up for in athleticism, arm strength and play-making ability, and he has the Broncos' attention," Ryan O’Halloran writes in The Denver Post.
On Tuesday, the Broncos launched a new program to help local businesses rebound from the economic impact of COVID-19. Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Brady Kellogg spoke to the Denver Business Journal in greater detail about the program. "So many of our season ticket holders are themselves small business owners or working in a small business context," Kellogg said. "I think that that's the net of why it became a priority for us."
