Packers’ Matt LaFleur Fires Shot at Giants Over Josh Jacobs Injury
It could have been disastrous.
On their opening possession in Sunday's win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Denver Broncos dialed up a trick play with running back RJ Harvey attempting a pass to quarterback Bo Nix — a high-arcing pass that forced Nix to play defensive back, nearly resulting in an interception.
But it didn't. The ball eventually hit the ground, and Denver maintained possession on the drive, settling for a field goal en route to a 22-19 victory at Empower Field at Mile High.
Afterward, Nix explained why the playcall didn't go according to plan.
“Well yeah, at that point… In practice, it was more open than that," he told reporters in his postgame press conference. "I knew when the ball was in the air, the safety did a good job, and I was like, ‘I’m not going to let this be intercepted.’ So I tried to show off my DB skills. But at the same time, you know, those plays are gimmicky. It’s either there or not. Worst case is like we throw a pick or something. When the ball was in the air, I knew it wasn’t going to be open, so just get the ball on the ground and go to the next play.”
Life Without JK
Week 11 marked the Broncos' first game without leading rusher J.K. Dobbins, who's expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a foot injury. The passing game didn't suffer, as Nix completed 24 attempts for 295 yards — including multiple clutch throws on the final two drives — while engineering his eighth-career fourth-quarter comeback.
The running game ... well, it wasn't as productive. Denver totaled a scant 59 ground yards, 38 of which came via Harvey and Nix. Backup RB Jaleel McLaughlin (six rushes, 19 yards, one touchdown) and wide receiver Marvin Mims (one carry, two yards) also toted the rock to little relative success.
Nix, however, was encouraged by how the unit rallied around Dobbins' absence.
“There was no flinch from that group," he said Sunday. "I felt all week those guys were locked in, ready to roll. When you are picking up a guy like Jaleel and he’s the one filling in when you’ve played so much time with him. He’s just done an incredible job as a team player, working his way through the season, knowing his moment is going to show up, not complaining one time. I’m sure he was battling thoughts between his ears, but at the same time he never showed it. He showed up to work every day. He’s given us a great look for the defense. He gives us great explosiveness when he’s helping us offensively, and then he scores a touchdown when he gets the call. RJ does a great job just playing his game, playing his role, not having to worry about [it] too much, just be RJ, you just get the ball, you make guys miss and go score. Then ‘T.B.’ (RB Tyler Badie) has done a great job all year on third down. So those guys have done really well, especially this week when they’ve had a tough week, lose a critical player like J.K., lose a leader in J.K., but also they have good camaraderie in that room as well. They are all young which is exciting, and I know they are going to do just fine.”
Bo Talks Franklin Completion
One of Nix's aforementioned dimes — and perhaps the clutchest throw of his young career — occurred on the game-winning series when he hit WR Troy Franklin for a 32-yard gain on 2nd-and-8 from Kansas City's 47-yard line with 54 seconds remaining.
“It was a one-high, two-high side," Nix explained. "We happened to get man-to-man, and with their safeties they were kind of cheating with [WR] Courtland [Sutton]. The next man option was Troy. Breaking the huddle, it was, ‘Hey they’ve bit on this out-route to [WR] Pat [Bryant] several times and be ready for the football.’ Sure enough, they got man. Safety was in the middle of the field, he got up top, the guy’s back was turned, I threw it, and he made a great adjustment to the football.”
The Legendary Former MLB Star and World Series Champion Sends Shockwaves Through Yankees Nation by Expressing Desire to Return to New York
After spending several successful seasons with the New York Yankees
Gregorius, who was a key part of the Yankees' infield from 2015 to 2019, made his mark not just with his bat but also with his steady leadership and strong defensive play. As one of the most beloved players of his era with the Yankees, he helped the team to multiple postseason appearances, including the 2017 American League Championship Series.
After leaving the Yankees in 2020, Gregorius signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. However, despite some strong moments, Gregorius has struggled to maintain the consistency that made him a fan favorite in New York. His time with the Phillies has not matched his previous performances, and his production has dropped off compared to his Yankees days.
Now 35 years old, Gregorius still believes he has plenty left to offer — and his heart still belongs to New York.
“I don’t need more trophies. I don’t need more money,”
he said. “All I want is one more chance — to put that pinstripe jersey back on, walk out of Yankee Stadium, and hear the roar of the crowd. I miss the atmosphere, I miss the energy of the city, and the feeling of representing New York. And if I have to give up everything to feel that again — I will.”
His connection to New York, particularly his years with the Yankees, is something that continues to resonate deeply within the team’s fanbase. Gregorius was more than just a player; he was an embodiment of the team's resilient spirit, a leader in the clubhouse, and a fan favorite for his clutch hits and standout defensive plays.
Aaron Judge, one of the Yankees’ current stars, recently spoke about Gregorius' impact: “He was one of the guys who set the standard. He helped us develop into the team we are today, and his leadership was unmatched.”
Now, Gregorius has expressed his willingness to return to New York, despite the challenges in his career. He has continued to train, keeping himself in top shape, and is ready to contribute however he can, whether it's as a veteran presence on the roster or as a mentor for the younger generation.
For the Yankees, the opportunity to bring back a player with Gregorius' history and passion would be a powerful addition, especially as the team looks to bolster its roster in the postseason race.
Whether or not the Yankees make the move to bring him back remains to be seen. However, with the season progressing, Gregorius’ words are echoing loudly in Yankees Nation — a reminder that New York is not just a team for him, but a place he calls home.
