Denver needs to improve ball security

Here’s a look at whose stocks improved or fell after the Broncos’ 28-14 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

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Red zone violation: Broncos kicker Wil Lutz didn’t make a field goal — and that was a good thing. Denver scored four touchdowns on five red zone trips. Quarterback Bo Nix was responsible for every touchdown, throwing for three and scoring on a keeper in the second quarter. Denver has gone 6 for 8 in the red zone over the past two games after going 1 for 3 in those situations against the Chargers in week 6.

Playoff hopes: For eight weeks, the Broncos are in the playoffs. Who would have thought that during training camp or when the team fell to 0-2 to start the year? But that’s the reality Denver is living in right now. At 5-3, the Broncos are a fifth seed and hold the top wild card spot. According to NFL.com, they have a 65% chance of making the postseason. The next three weeks will be a big test. The Broncos have back-to-back matchups against the Ravens and Chiefs before returning home to take on the Falcons.

Intermediate passing game: Nix was aggressive but effective when it came to throwing the ball down the field. He was 6 for 10 for 138 yards with a passer rating of 104.2 on intermediate throws (passes 10-19 yards downfield) against the Panthers, according to Next Gen Stats. Nix has had success on short passes and screens for the most part, but has been inconsistent when asked to get past the line of scrimmage. Before Sunday, Nix had 285 passing yards, a touchdown and three interceptions on intermediate throws. Although Nix ranked eighth in attempts (50), he had the worst completion percentage (32.0%) and was 30th in passer rating (47.5).

CB Pat Surtain II: A cornerback hasn’t won the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award since Stephon Gilmore in 2019. Surtain looks to change that. The 24-year-old recorded his third interception of the season during the third quarter when Panthers quarterback Bryce Young missed his intended target and the ball fell into Surtain’s hands. He is one interception away from tying his career best of four in a single season. Surtain has given up 12 catches for 114 yards on 18 targets in seven games.

Stock down

Ball security: Denver’s turnover might have taken away some of the joy from its fifth win of the season. The Broncos fumbled the ball twice against the Panthers and head coach Sean Payton was not happy. Wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey fumbled near midfield on Denver’s first drive. In the fourth quarter, Courtland Sutton lost the ball trying to cross the goal line. Denver has fumbled in three straight games and is tied with the Raiders for most lost fumbles (seven). The Broncos rank fifth in turnovers with 12. Denver needs to improve its ball security if it wants to be considered a legitimate playoff contender.

CB Riley Moss: Young threw only twice in Surtain’s direction, leaving Moss to receive the bulk of the targets on Sunday. Denver’s second-year cornerback was targeted eight times, allowing seven catches for 94 yards, a touchdown and a passer rating of 155.2. Moss’ production has dipped in recent weeks, giving up 17 catches for 235 yards in the last three games.