The Denver Broncos might — maybe, perhaps, hopefully, possibly, we'll see — have started down the long road to redemption with a pretty decisive win on December 18. Decisive, that is, in the second half. Call the first half Brett Rypien just getting settled in.
Rypien was key to the win Sunday against Arizona's faltering defense. The Cardinals, as a team, looked more like the Broncos in their first thirteen games of the season: unready, unbalanced, unable to do much. But you know what they say: Fourteenth time's the charm.
Sunday's Broncos looked re-energized under the leadership of backup QB Rypien, in only his third career start. While Russell Wilson had been cleared to play, the team (and fans) shrugged and said, "Eh, let's see what the kid can do." Whether or not this affects Wilson's being back under center on an ongoing basis is anyone's guess, but it seemed clear from the play against the Cardinals exactly which of the two QBs inspires clear eyes and full hearts on the offensive line.
Of course, there's that slight hitch in the giddy-up regarding switching out Wilson: his $165 million guaranteed contract.
And to be fair, Denver caught an injury-related break when Colt McCoy went down in the third and left the game under concussion protocol. McCoy had already thrown an interception; his replacement, Trace McSorley, threw two more. Justin Simmons caught two of the three of those, making this the third straight year in which Simmons has had five on the season. Latavius Murray had 24 rushes for 130 yards in one of the best performances from a Broncos RB all year. DeShawn Williams kept the Denver D strong with 2.5 sacks. It was a good day.
And sure, Sunday's game felt a little less messy, but it was still too little, too late for a team that had already been eliminated from playoff contention, the sixth-straight losing season since winning Super Bowl 50. Time will tell if this is the start of something new or just a nice break in a long string of sucking pond water.
How did Broncos country take this late-season win and how the team (finally, sorta) showed up? Here are twenty tweets that tell the story:
Number 20:
Number 19:2022 Denver Broncos QB records:
— Ryan Tatum (@208RT) December 19, 2022
Russell Wilson 3-9
Fmr Boise State QB Brett Rypien 1-1
#BroncosCountry spoke loudly with 18,000 no shows yesterday @broncos @psmyth12 question is will you listen Walton/Penner group? 👇 pic.twitter.com/ps0SpK4uw6
— Ryno (@Rockymtnrejects) December 19, 2022
Number 18:
Number 17:Brett Rypien: “Let’s ride.”
— HALL of GOATS (@GOATS_hall) December 19, 2022
📸 @spiceadams | #Broncos pic.twitter.com/vEAOZsQ7BM
Number 16:#PMSIDontWantToOverreactBUT the Broncos are back. This is Rypien’s team now. Russ can ride the bench for the rest of the season
— Andrew G (@ndrew_41) December 19, 2022
Number 15:The broncos have not quit once all year ‘! Bunch of fighters
— JJ (@Plugandplay16) December 19, 2022
Number 14:Who would’ve thought that in 2022 the Detroit Lions would be contending for the playoffs and the Denver Broncos would be 4-10 and have over 18,000 no shows to a game…
— Luke (@Luke_Contreras5) December 19, 2022
Number 13:Why in the world would you watch Csrds vs Broncos? You knew it would be a shit show!
— bc (@illinichan66) December 19, 2022
Number 12:@dpshow Pauline: The reason for the Broncos scoring 24 points was Latavius Murray and the running game.
— Jerry Buelter (@JerryBuelter) December 19, 2022
Number 11:After the Broncos' win yesterday, Nathaniel Hackett said Justin Simmons is the leader of the Broncos:
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) December 19, 2022
"Justin has been great. He is the leader of this football team. That is probably the number one most important thing with Justin."
Number 10:Even when the game doesn't count for anything, Mondays are always better after a Broncos win https://t.co/m9ILnp5JLf
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) December 19, 2022
Number 9:Not like it needs to be said, but @jsimms1119 is a lock for the Broncos ring of fame https://t.co/Qe5rtWNhId
— Vetanze Therapy: Christmas Edition (@VetanzeTherapy) December 19, 2022
Number 8:Kiszla: Refusing to dump Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy at NFL trade deadline is best move general manager George Paton never made #DenverBroncos #Broncos #GoBroncos #DB4L https://t.co/LteKa7ge9k
— Denver Broncos Fans (@BroncosViews) December 19, 2022
Number 7:'The ultimate competitor': RB Latavius Murray's 130-yard performance propels Broncos to victory #DenverBroncos #Broncos #GoBroncos #DB4L https://t.co/WYgJFgCdsk
— Denver Broncos Fans (@BroncosViews) December 19, 2022
Number 6:Us watching the Broncos offense
— DNVR Sports (@DNVR_Sports) December 18, 2022
pic.twitter.com/EPim7A4FKr
Number 5:My Denver @Broncos have made some stupid mistakes this year, bless their hearts, but at least it wasn’t them lateraling the ball to the other team for the winning score yesterday. Here’s looking at you, New England. Well-done; you made ALL the highlight reels. #Patriots #Raiders
— Diane Porter (@votreami) December 19, 2022
Number 4:Here's hoping Greg Penner got the message that Broncos Country was sending him | by @jamesmerilatt https://t.co/OKFMo12jFS
— DenverFan.com | 104.3 The Fan (@1043TheFan) December 19, 2022
Number 3:Put it on the field
— Jersey Native (@metbroncofan) December 19, 2022
Number 2:38 F***in Yarder. Terrible
— Brandon McManus (@thekidmcmanus) December 19, 2022
Number 1:Broncos pay something crazy like $250M for Russel Wilson and keep losing. Meanwhile the backup QB who cost $25 and a bag of Doritos gets the W. Go figure 🙄
— Stephen Price (@BizMasterP) December 19, 2022
The @Broncos best social media team post so far this season. Bravo! https://t.co/oUw51B6O69
— Stephanie Lewis (@leveledupmom) December 19, 2022
