Just like that, it was over.
After all the division round games this weekend, I couldn’t help but notice that the boys in orange and blue were nowhere to be found.
For the first time in a long time the Broncos season actually lasted longer than the regular season. While Denver was turned away by a team playing in the AFC Championship next week, there is nothing to be bummed about.
This year’s Broncos were so much fun to watch. Bo Nix is clearly the guy to run Sean Payton’s offense. The defense under Vance Joseph will only get better (assuming he doesn’t get poached to become a head coach).
With plenty of cap space and a full bevy of draft picks in this year’s draft, the Broncos are poised to make the changes that will make them relevant, if not dominant, for years to come.
While there was no Broncos football this weekend, there’s nothing to be sad about. What’s being built in Denver is special. Buckle up for what could be the most exciting Broncos offseason in a decade.
HORSE TRACKS
Why many of Colorado’s professional sports teams have ‘Denver’ in their name
The answer to that question lies both in how old a franchise is, and how modern sports facilities are funded by tax dollars.
Denver Broncos running back situation | 9news.com
The Broncos need a running back who can go the distance to improve the team’s running game. Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime.
Bills’ defense fueled by naysayers in win vs. Jackson, Ravens – ESPN
The Bills’ defensive players used questions about how they would perform against Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Derrick Henry and the rest of the Baltimore offense to help fuel Sunday’s win.
Baltimore Ravens refuse to blame Mark Andrews for loss – ESPN
Lamar Jackson, John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens did not blame Mark Andrews’ dropped pass on a two-point conversion for the club’s 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Sunday’s AFC divisional round game, a contest in which the tight end also fumbled.
Eagles vs. Rams score, takeaways: Saquon Barkley’s historic playoff effort carries Philly to NFC Championship – CBSSports.com
Philadelphia is returning to the NFC title game
NFC divisional round: Eagles’ Saquon Barkley runs into NFL history books with second 200-yard game vs. Rams – CBSSports.com
Barkley’s 205 yards rushing are the fifth most in a playoff game in NFL history
Rams’ Matthew Stafford will ‘take some time’ to mull future after playoff loss to Eagles, 16th NFL season – CBSSports.com
Stafford, 36, says he has a decision to make
Ravens coach John Harbaugh defends Mark Andrews after drop vs. Bills: ‘We wouldn’t be here without Mark’ – CBSSports.com
Andrews couldn’t come up clutch when it mattered most for Baltimore
Ravens’ Lamar Jackson expresses frustration after sloppy playoff loss to Bills: ‘Hold on to the f—ing ball’ – CBSSports.com
Baltimore committed three turnovers in the loss
NFL community honors legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on MLK Day
The NFL community took to social media on Monday to honor the life and legacy of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on MLK Day.
Most concerning flaw for each Divisional Round winner; top offseason need for each eliminated team
In this edition of The First Read, Jeffri Chadiha reveals the biggest flaw for each of the NFL teams that advanced to Championship Sunday and the most pressing offseason need for each of the squads that lost during the Divisional Round.
Ravens-Bills on Divisional Round Sunday: What We Learned from Buffalo’s 27-25 win
The Buffalo Bills are advancing to the AFC Championship Game after defeating the Baltimore Ravens, 27-25, to close out Divisional Round Weekend.
Lamar Jackson, Ravens bemoan missed opportunities in loss to Bills, defend Mark Andrews
The Baltimore Ravens once again came up short in the playoffs, suffering a brutal loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in which they committed multiple turnovers. Lamar Jackson and others bemoned the missed opportunites, while defending veteran Mark Andrew
Rams QB Matthew Stafford says ‘it sure feels like’ he has more football in him following playoff loss to Eagles
The Los Angeles Rams fell short on Sunday in a snowy playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. One of the top offseason questions now facing L.A. will be QB Matthew Stafford’s future.
Lions players bracing to lose both coordinators to head-coaching jobs
As Detroit processes the fallout from Saturday’s disappointing end to the best season in Lions club history, significant changes could be on the horizon with both OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn potentially leaving for head coaching gigs.
A.J. Brown blames weather for Eagles’ lack of aerial attack: ‘The conditions were crazy’
The Philadelphia Eagles head to the NFC Championship Game against the Washington Commanders with a passing offense still lost in the wilderness. A.J. Brown, however, believes the operation should get a pass due to Sunday’s snowy conditions.
Saints set in-person interviews for Mike Kafka, Anthony Weaver – NBC Sports
The Saints’ coaching search is heating up this week.
Derrick Henry on Lamar Jackson: I came in being a teammate and found a brother – NBC Sports
The Ravens came up short in Sunday’s divisional-round matchup against the Bills.
Penei Sewell: It’s BS to blame Jared Goff for playoff loss – NBC Sports
The Lions spent Sunday cleaning out their lockers and reflecting on Saturday night’s loss to the Commanders rather than preparing for the NFC Championship Game.
Josh Allen: Regular season win over Chiefs really doesn’t matter – NBC Sports
Sunday’s 27-25 win over the Ravens pushed the Bills into the AFC Championship Game and there will be a familiar foe on the other side of the field.
Dan Campbell: If we’d brought our B game, we would have had a chance to win – NBC Sports
Officially, the Commanders beat the Lions on Saturday night.
Will Anderson Jr. irked by penalty calls after Texans’ loss – ESPN
After Saturday’s 23-14 AFC divisional round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in which some penalty calls worked against the Texans, Houston defensive end Will Anderson Jr. said, “We knew it was going to be us versus the refs going into this game.”
Tennessee St. coach Eddie George interviews in person with Bears – ESPN
The Bears brought in former NFL running back Eddie George for an in-person interview Sunday. George has coached HBCU Tennessee State for the past four seasons.
Lions’ Penei Sewell – Unfair to blame Jared Goff for playoff exit – ESPN
Lions tackle Penei Sewell stuck up for quarterback Jared Goff after Detroit’s stunning playoff loss.