Mile High Monday: Broncos dodge crazy weekend in NFL

Nov 22, 2021, 7:01 AM | Updated: 4:54 pm

Denver Sports Analyst

The Denver Broncos had a bye in Week 11 of the NFL season. It was good for Broncos fans everywhere because they didn’t get let down on Sunday. Instead, we got to see a crazy weekend of football – something that is happening this season on a regular basis.

I like taking a break from the action with the Broncos. It’s time to look back on what happened so far this season. It’s also a time to look forward and think about necessary changes.

I also like contemplating life and sports when driving around with the top down on my old Jeep TJ! The following is a result of those trips during the week.

Buckle up, let’s take a ride through my thoughts.

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Any Given Sunday

This season has been crazy. In fact, the 2021 NFL season has been the craziest in my 40-plus years of being a football fan and my nearly 20 years as a football analyst. It seems like every week there are underdogs who have no chance of winning that end up coming out on top.

What’s down is up and what’s up is down in the NFL this year. It makes it fun, but it makes it difficult to anticipate who is going to win on a weekly basis. Just when we think we know about a team, something happens to reveal something new.

On Sunday, the Houston Texans were able to beat the Tennessee Titans by a score of 22-13. Sure, the Titans have been playing without superstar running back Derrick Henry but they are still one of the best offenses in the league. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill had a day to forget, tossing four interceptions, turning the ball over at a rate that kept the Titans from building any sort of momentum. This game was just one example of how each week in the NFL it’s “any given Sunday.”

Thru the 1p ET NFL games today, there have been 23 games decided on the final play this season (most thru 11 weeks since 1970 merger) & 32 games with the game-winning score coming in the final minute of regulation or OT (T-2nd most thru 11 weeks since merger). (h/t @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/0In908OkAs

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 21, 2021

The twists and turns are great for fans. Those same happenings are frustrating for Fantasy GMs and those who put money on NFL games.

People playing in survivor pools in offices around the country have been wrong time and time again. This season is crazier than ever – which means even games you think should be one-sided contests (like Titans vs Texans) turn into must-see TV.

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Best in the Game

I’ve always said that Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is the best in the league at his position. Guys like Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans) and Christian McCaffrey (Carolina Panthers) could throw their hat in the ring as well, and it makes for a great debate among football fans sitting around sports bars across the country.

None of the above are the answer. Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is clearly the best back in the NFL.

In Week 11, Taylor had a whopping five touchdowns against the Buffalo Bills. He also carried the ball 32 times for 185 yards on the ground. The Bills – supposedly once of the best teams in the league – simply could not stop Taylor. The Colts, to their credit, kept going back to the well that is Taylor, and they were rewarded for their diligence and commitment to the run.

Jonathan Taylor with a MONSTER 56 point fantasy performance!!!

5 TDs for the 2021 RB1 pic.twitter.com/zZi5uZQyZb

— SI Fantasy (@SI_Fantasy) November 21, 2021

Not only is Taylor the best in the league, but he’s also playing at such a high level – and if it continues – he could go down as the best Colts running back of all time. This is a high compliment because the Colts have had Hall of Fame running backs like Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James tote the rock.

I’m not putting Taylor into Canton just yet, but he is so much fun to watch and is certainly on a great track in his career. The Colts, even in this topsy-turvy season, have the formula to win games late in the year and in the postseason – they will run the ball and play swarming defense every time out. Making Taylor the centerpiece of the offense takes the pressure off quarterback Carson Wentz. It also always NFL fans to watch true talent in motion when Taylor is running the rock.

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Ten Times

I love movies. I love Spider-man. So, it should come as no surprise that I love Spider-man movies. Going back to the trilogy of Spider-man movies with Tobey Maguire (starting in 2002), all the way through the two Amazing Spider-man movies with Andrew Garfield as the webslinger and up to the latest trilogy of Spider-man movies with Tom Holland – I love them all, flaws included (Spider-man 3, woof).

The new movie, “Spider-man: No Way Home” is going to be one of those movies I see around 10 times in the theater. I won’t give away too much, as I know the plot and twists of the movie, let’s just say this movie with “tie the room together” in terms of Spider-man moves. That’s why I plan on seeing it multiple times in the theater.

Very rarely do I go see a movie that many times. Sure, once of twice – maybe three times for Star Wars – is something that can happen, but this movie looks epic. It’s going to be so jam-packed with can’t-miss scenes, that I’ll want to enjoy the ride again and again and again (and even after that).