Don’t look now, but the Sean Payton-Russell Wilson Denver Broncos may be on to something.
As Troy Aikman explained during the MNF broadcast from Buffalo, Wilson lost 15 pounds in the offseason, and it allowed him to extend a pivotal fourth down play to find Courtland Sutton streaking free in the end zone for a huge touchdown.
This looked like vintage/prime Russell Wilson, turning his back to the defense, spinning out of trouble and being all spry and stuff. Credit to Russ for being dangerously accurate with that borderline desperation heave, but it would’ve amounted to nothing if not for Sutton’s fancy footwork.
A couple early turnovers — can you believe it, a Josh Allen-quarterbacked team giving the ball away!? — hurt the Bills, and Denver is really making a game of this. It’s pretty much a must-win scenario for both sides, with 11 teams in the AFC already having five wins on the season. Sutton’s insane catch could prove to be the difference.
We shall see. Lotta game left. As I write this, Allen finds Dalton Kincaid for a WAO (wide-a** open) TD strike.
Whatever happens tonight, at least there are signs of life in Denver after a horrendous start to the 2023 campaign, which featured a 70-20 loss to the Dolphins. Russ is actually kinda low-key balling. I mean, this was a Next Gen Stats record-setter for lowest probable completion at 3.2%.
The Denver defense is generally starting to turn things around of late, too. But the outcome of Monday’s showdown will likely go a long way in determining the trajectory of the season for both the Broncos and Bills.
Thing is, when he’s on and not doing stupid things like YOLO throws, Allen has an extra gear that Wilson could never reach in his best days as a player. With how bad that luck was to allow a TD that had a 3.2% chance of being completed, along with their rash of injuries, it’s impressive how Allen and the Bills just keep swinging and battling. Respect.
Let’s not get too far afield, though. Phenomenal job, Mr. Sutton.
