Friday, November 26, 2021

Denver Broncos Week 12 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Denver Broncos rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 22.4 (23rd)
  • Best ranking: 21 (The Athletic)
  • Worst ranking: 24 (CBS Sports)

Below you will find a Week 12 roundup for the Broncos in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 22

Most memorable Thanksgiving game: Broncos beat Cowboys 24-21 in overtime on Nov. 24, 2005

Both teams were in first place at the time, and for many of the Broncos' faithful, it will always be the Ron Dayne game. Dayne didn't know he was going to play such a significant role in the game until Thanksgiving morning when running back Tatum Bell was a late scratch due to a chest injury. Dayne had carried the ball just 13 times that season before he rushed for 98 yards against the Cowboys that day -- 55 of those on the second play of overtime that set up kicker Jason Elam for the 24-yard winning field goal. The Broncos improved to 9-2 with the win and went on to win the AFC West at 13-3. -- Jeff Legwold

NFL.com -- Rank: 23

It's deja vu all over again for Teddy Bridgewater. The veteran quarterback will come out the bye and enter the final stretch of another regular season attempting to convince his team that he's more than a one-year patch. He wasn't able to do that last year with the Panthers, and he'll have to show more over the final seven games to convince the Broncos he should be part of their 2022 plans. Bridgewater is liked and well-respected in his locker room and around league circles, but the free agent-to-be might be looking for his fifth team next spring if he can't deliver a surge in play that ignites a Denver playoff run.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 24

They come off their bye with a huge division game against the Chargers. They have to be better on offense to really make a playoff push.

USA Today -- Rank: 22

If nothing else, they're clearly happy with their wide receivers, extending Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick in past week. Nice selling point for their next quarterback.

The Athletic -- Rank: 21

Best side dish: Tim Patrick is third on his team in both catches and targets, and second in receiving yards (523), but he's the Broncos' most reliable receiving option, with zero drops, per Pro Football Focus. He's scrappy and a tough cover one-on-one in the red zone, and was rewarded last week with the first contract extension in his four-year career. Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy might have more prestigious receiver pedigrees, but Patrick might be more indispensable.

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