Clayton: Sunday is a monster game for Teddy Bridgewater

The Washington game is a big one for Teddy Bridgewater.

He knows the offense is struggling big time. Because of last week’s Thursday night game, he was able to take a couple extra days and get healthier.

Now, the pressure is building on Bridgewater. He needs to respond.

“With this game, certain guys get themselves going in certain ways,” the quarterback said. “You have those guys who need pep talks, that rah-rah or that certain music, but I’m the guy who’s just going to be calm always. I’ll make sure that guys believe that they’re special and they’re here for a reason. I’ll continue to build guys’ confidence up until kickoff and throughout the course of the game.”

Bridgewater says the locker room is still together. He also doesn’t sense any panic. He wants everyone to have that sense of urgency, however.

But that is needed on both sides of the ball. The numbers for the Broncos offense and the defense are average to below average. Something needs to get done.

Bridgewater is holding himself accountable for some of the problems. He says the offense isn’t getting off to fast starts. He puts that on himself. He says the passing game has not been efficient early in games.

He is looking forward to return of wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who missed six games with a high-ankle sprain. Regardless, the pressure in on Teddy Bridgewater.