Chris Harris Jr. and Brandon Krisztal break down what may have been the Denver Broncos’ most complete win of the season, spotlighting Bo Nix’s continued rise, Pat Surtain II’s game-changing interception, and a defense that continues to dominate in the red zone. The guys dive deep into film from the Packers game, analyze coverage busts, special teams impact, and the Broncos’ growing playoff profile before turning their attention to a dangerous Jacksonville Jaguars team led by Trevor Lawrence. The episode wraps with full NFL and College Football Playoff predictions and a score prediction for Broncos vs. Jaguars.
The Broncos continue to stack wins, and Chris Harris Jr. and Brandon Krisztal examine whether Denver’s victory over the Packers was the team’s best performance of the season. They break down Bo Nix’s efficiency and leadership, his climb up the NFL record book for wins early in a career, and why he continues to silence doubts around his draft status. The film room focuses on Pat Surtain II’s acrobatic interception, red-zone dominance, and where Denver’s defense can still tighten up coverage heading into the postseason.
The conversation shifts to special teams consistency, offensive line health, and how Denver’s ability to control field position continues to separate them from other contenders. Looking ahead, the guys preview a tough matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars, discussing Trevor Lawrence’s recent surge, the importance of limiting turnovers, and how Denver matches up against one of the league’s best takeaway defenses. The episode closes with College Football Playoff picks, key NFL matchups across the league, and final score predictions for Broncos vs. Jaguars.
00:00:01:27 - 00:00:17:19
Brandon Krisztal
The holiday season is in full swing. The Broncos keep rewarding their fans with wins. Will another one come your way? Let's find out now. Football Fridays starts now.
00:00:17:21 - 00:00:26:14
Brandon Krisztal
Chris, let's, look back real quick before we look forward. Was that the Broncos best win of the season? Because for my money, it certainly felt like it.
00:00:26:16 - 00:00:50:09
Chris Harris Jr.
Was that home. It was, big game. We know that everybody was watching that game and, the Broncos started out slow and, was able to pick it up and be able to, you know, finish the game strong. That's something that I would say is that we started a little slow. We we got to come out and, run the football better, but it was a great finish.
00:00:50:09 - 00:01:08:19
Chris Harris Jr.
Bowl play his best game of the season by far. But defensive wise, I wouldn't say it was their best game. But they did enough getting those big turnovers at the end, to be able to close the game. So it was a great team win. And Bo Nix definitely MVP of this week.
00:01:08:21 - 00:01:27:14
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah it's funny. He won the Fedex Air and Ground Player of the week. And I don't think you're going to win AFC player of the week. Unless he would have accounted for 1 or 2 more touchdowns because Trevor Lawrence and their big win over the Cardinals had five passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. So then my thought was like Trevor who won AFC player of the week.
00:01:27:17 - 00:01:49:23
Brandon Krisztal
How did Bo get more votes for Fedex. But I don't know goes into any of that stuff. And you know we'll get into the Jags here in a minute. But you know you talk about them starting slow. The fact that they were able to at least you know, keep the Packers from punching it in and continue to be the best red zone defense in football.
00:01:49:25 - 00:02:04:20
Brandon Krisztal
And then keep the game close enough that when Pat makes that big pick, you can gain some momentum. I think that that can't be overlooked, but I guess you're always worried in the playoffs that because the teams are also good now, the Packers are a really good team, but that you may not be able to get back into the game.
00:02:04:20 - 00:02:20:09
Brandon Krisztal
You know, we saw last night where I thought that game was about to be out of reach and the Rams let Seattle back in or Seattle went and got back in it. But yeah, it is a concern because you just don't want to be too far behind to have to even think about clawing back in it.
00:02:20:11 - 00:02:45:28
Chris Harris Jr.
As long as the defense plays red zone football like they're playing, making it very hard for every team to score. Making them work for everything. Then you have a chance to, to to beat anybody in, as long as, the I'm telling you, if we get the run game clicking and Harvey is able to start, really run the football, like we did early in the season with Dobbins, then, the Broncos going to be very tough to beat.
00:02:46:00 - 00:02:58:10
Chris Harris Jr.
And it's just about it's just about, the O-line being able to get the proper blocking. I know we had some guys injured, some, a couple of guys when his power is coming back, is he able to come back this year?
00:02:58:13 - 00:03:16:26
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. No, he's activated or they activating him. And I think it's going to be interesting to see. Do you give him a full workload Sunday. Do you mix and match him in pouch or like you saw that in your 250 season? It wasn't injury related, but they rotated Evan Mathis and Max Garcia. It's crazy to think about rotating guards, but Porter has played so well.
00:03:16:28 - 00:03:25:13
Brandon Krisztal
I'm not sure you're in a hurry to to just, you know, make him only the the extra offensive linemen on heavy set. But it's going to be a good problem to have.
00:03:25:15 - 00:03:44:18
Chris Harris Jr.
Well they're going to play Ben just because he has experience. And of course they paid him. So as long as he's healthy I do a hell. I do think he will help out the running game. So we do need him. That's if you give him one thing that he's actually good at, for old linemen is he's he's pretty good.
00:03:44:18 - 00:03:59:06
Chris Harris Jr.
Run blocker. So, if we can get him back, get some experience going into the playoffs, the whole line intact. Hopefully we'll get the run game going. That's just going to make them tough because Buffalo can run the football and control the game with the ground.
00:03:59:08 - 00:04:22:18
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah we saw that last year in the playoffs. That was kind of the difference was James Cook was was really I think what what helped the bills kind of not only secure that game and kind of run away with it. And you know you talk about injuries you lose Brandon Jones and he's on IR. I don't know if and when he can make it back with with the pectoral issue, but P.J. Locke steps in and that's a guy who's played a lot of football.
00:04:22:20 - 00:04:48:04
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. And he's very experienced, and, he, he did start he's had plenty of start. So we know that he's capable of going out there and getting the job done. So I don't think anybody on the defense is, worried. About P.J. Locke stepping in. He's well established guy. That, you know, they trust, it's just about, you know, having that depth because he was playing very good on special teams.
00:04:48:04 - 00:04:55:17
Chris Harris Jr.
Can we get some other guys, young guys, step up behind them and continue to fill that role on special teams? The P.J. Locke was playing.
00:04:55:19 - 00:05:16:19
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah, that's something that I asked Darren really about yesterday. I said, you know, and it's the nature of a special teams coach. Guys go up and down all the time, and you're grabbing guys from practice squad or whatever it may be. But not only PJ like playing more, just instant ad, who had certainly played plenty but was a core special teams guy because he's dealing with that foot issue and hasn't practiced this week, likely doesn't go and don't know how long he's on the shelf.
00:05:16:22 - 00:05:34:09
Brandon Krisztal
The special teams all of a sudden takes it, and their coverage teams have been better of late. You know, they were a little leaky there at points during the season. It hasn't even been a conversation. But it could creep up this week. And and I think the when you look at it the the punt return for the for the Jags is is third best in the league.
00:05:34:09 - 00:05:36:23
Brandon Krisztal
So something to keep an eye on.
00:05:36:26 - 00:05:57:19
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. Especially I always know when you got to top teams and Jags are playing very well right now. The best teams are going to be huge. We seen that what happened last night. You know that pretty much changed the game for Seattle. So one thing that the Broncos have been been good especially late in the season has been special teams.
00:05:57:21 - 00:06:11:11
Chris Harris Jr.
Let's he's he's been clutch all year and then Mans is getting back you know he he just you just took one back and now he's he's getting in that flow. So, I think the Broncos definitely still got the edge on special teams.
00:06:11:11 - 00:06:30:20
Brandon Krisztal
That what what's funny you talk about special teams. You know we're a little worried about crash of you're watching them in practice through throughout the preseason. He's been great except that Raiders game. He's 13th best in in yards in gross yards and 15th in net yards. We know he's done a good job of pinning them inside the 20 a bunch.
00:06:30:22 - 00:06:49:25
Brandon Krisztal
But when you look at the Pro Bowl voting at least on the fan sites, not coaches, not players, that's never revealed. He and and Denver as you mentioned, maybe Australian fans are helping. He's the only Broncos player despite having the best record in football and having guys like Pat and Nick Bonito, among others. Zach Allen, who's obviously playing great, and Quinn Meiners do it at guard seven.
00:06:49:25 - 00:07:05:15
Brandon Krisztal
All those all pro guys. He is the only Broncos player that is number one at their position in Pro Bowl voting. Is Crawshaw the punter. And so I'm not saying he he doesn't deserve to get there. But a lot of those Broncos just get it. Pat wasn't even in the top ten a couple weeks ago. I haven't checked the latest voting, which is obviously crazy.
00:07:05:15 - 00:07:23:19
Brandon Krisztal
We know coaches and players will end up voting him in and it likely be a starter yet again. Speaking of Pat, you know that pick that was as good a pick as I can remember. Can you think of a pick that was more athletic or acrobatic? You know, obviously has been some impactful ones that are pick sixes or come at huge times, but can you think of one?
00:07:23:21 - 00:07:33:22
Brandon Krisztal
Because we'll hear from Pat talking about it. But let's look at it. We'll get into the film room to on it. Or maybe we skip in the film room just I mean to to close like that look like Deon out there.
00:07:33:25 - 00:07:53:07
Chris Harris Jr.
I mean, that was, you know, the Broncos sitting in cover for Pat has the post and, you know, that's the main route that you're going to get is that they go by and they try to have Watson be able to use his speed. But Pat being able to run with the guy that runs for three, catch up to the ball dive and make a game changing play.
00:07:53:07 - 00:08:10:01
Chris Harris Jr.
That was a huge, huge play. And those are the plays that you expect from a defensive player of the year. Be able to, track the ball down, take the ball away. And being able to change the game, I think after this play, it really set the Broncos up to win this game.
00:08:10:04 - 00:08:23:23
Brandon Krisztal
So Watson gets the tackle right here because he's got to get up and run. Watch as they hit the ground to tackle. Let's hear Pat talking about it real quick though. This was his thoughts on where this ranks for him in terms of best plays.
00:08:23:25 - 00:08:40:15
Speaker 3
Definitely top for sure. I think I just went all out for that one. I go lot, I have pretty much, you know, interceptions like that, in the past, but I definitely say that was like probably my most cerebral interception for sure. So.
00:08:40:17 - 00:08:44:24
Brandon Krisztal
Well, then it's your phone blowing up with people that maybe I'll text you all the time. You know, to.
00:08:44:24 - 00:09:02:21
Speaker 3
React to it. Yeah, they reacted to it. You know, I was, I seen it, you know, all across the highlights and stuff. But, you know, obviously when you in the game, you don't realize, you know, what you did because you in a moment, then you watch and highlight you like and I know I had enemy, but, but you know, I had to, you know, I had to make a play.
00:09:02:21 - 00:09:09:05
Speaker 3
So, definitely was my favorite one for sure.
00:09:09:08 - 00:09:26:22
Brandon Krisztal
I think the only other one that comes to mind in terms of big plays Pat made last year, the Raiders were going down. We're about to take I think we have been a 17 to 3 lead. In the first game of the Broncos Raiders matchups in 2024. Pat has that interception on the goal line and takes it all the way to the House.
00:09:26:24 - 00:09:43:29
Brandon Krisztal
That was maybe as big an impact because you would have been down 17 three. And and so who knows if you're able to crawl back from that against the Raiders a year ago. We know that obviously the Broncos have certainly trended up. And and the Raiders have trended down since that moment. And so you know that's one of bonus as many wins.
00:09:44:02 - 00:10:04:26
Brandon Krisztal
What's interesting I don't know how many people have seen this stat. And I'm not sure if they showed it on the TV broadcast or not, but Bo is closing in on Russell Wilson's record of most wins for a quarterback in his first two years, and Russ had 24 wins in his first two seasons. Bo is now at 22, I think.
00:10:04:28 - 00:10:26:07
Brandon Krisztal
So if they win all three bowl pass rush, he's tied with guys like Andrew Luck, I think, among others. But. So, I asked Bo about climbing up that very unique record book and where he ranks. Well, what are your thoughts about Brandon? Being near the top of the list in most wins for a quarterback in the first two years, you can catch Russ or pass.
00:10:26:10 - 00:10:45:14
Speaker 4
Up that list. I think it's a, it's an honor. It's, the great thing about wins is, it's a team award. So I think when is the ultimate, sign of how your team is doing? And I guess, you know, for, for me, you know, I got to sign that we got a really good team that that I'm on.
00:10:45:14 - 00:11:00:09
Speaker 4
And, so I wouldn't, you know, I've been able to do it without the guys in the locker room. It sounds cliche, but seriously, I don't play defense. I don't play special teams. I don't block, I don't catch the ball. And so guys around me have to do their job, and they've been able to do it for for two years.
00:11:00:09 - 00:11:16:23
Speaker 4
And, we've made the most of it. We've gone on a good run this year. And, you know, we hope to finish it out strong. And that's what we're pursuing. And, you know, record or not, I think it just shows that, you know, the Broncos have had a lot of wins the last couple of years, and that's all that matters.
00:11:16:25 - 00:11:28:24
Brandon Krisztal
I knew the answer I was going to get when I asked the question. In fact, I turned to Bruce Turtle from Fox 31. I'm like, I know Bo's going to answer this, but no one's asked him about it. And then he's like, yeah, it's a team game. That means we played really well. But he is tied with Andrew Luck.
00:11:28:24 - 00:11:45:01
Brandon Krisztal
I just like Andrew Luck and Big Ben. 22 wins through their first two seasons. Russ has 24 so he has to run the table. But what's that saying. Because we know about the criticisms of Bo Nix coming out in the draft. Though the Broncos reach he was definitely six of the of those six quarterbacks he was ranked six for a reason.
00:11:45:03 - 00:11:52:27
Brandon Krisztal
It's pretty dang impressive to to get to 22 and maybe 23, 24, 25 wins in your first two seasons.
00:11:53:00 - 00:12:18:29
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, I don't think people are getting enough credit. How hard it was, you know, for him to pretty much change the culture, change the environment, along with the owners, being able to, you know, take over a team that hadn't won, since we were at, since, you know, 2016 was probably our last winning year, you know, so, to, for, for him to really, come in there and put us in the playoffs the first year and then jump back.
00:12:18:29 - 00:12:39:18
Chris Harris Jr.
Got us in there again two years in a row. Definitely should be talked about. And if he runs the table and probably has the most wins ever, you know, the first two years, that just shows this guy's, he's a known winner. He's very clutch in the fourth quarter. His deep ball is improving, his touch is improving, and the guys getting better as the season goes, they're at the right time.
00:12:39:18 - 00:12:45:01
Chris Harris Jr.
So, you just. And then you can do a salute the guy and cheer for.
00:12:45:03 - 00:13:06:00
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. It's, it's obviously been fun to see. And, and I think with wins like that, he raises the ceiling of what people think. And so that's going to make the run through the playoffs. Obviously, you know, fun to watch. The Broncos still though at times have some issues. You said it wasn't the best game defensively. Why don't we dig into some of the plays that maybe didn't go as smoothly as they would liked?
00:13:06:00 - 00:13:14:01
Brandon Krisztal
And look at a couple good ones here, but let's jump in to Chris Harrison's film room.
00:13:14:03 - 00:13:21:18
Brandon Krisztal
First play we're going to go early in the game. Broncos already having the one field goal. How about this?
00:13:21:20 - 00:13:43:24
Chris Harris Jr.
Great coverage. Man to man coverage. They had quarter out ball kind of like this on Riley earlier. But he was able to play and find the the goal line have great athletic ability to be able to, press him the line and be able to come back and still put a hand on that ball. So, you know, that's why I say when the Broncos are very good at the red zone.
00:13:43:24 - 00:14:02:04
Chris Harris Jr.
Why? Because they fight guys. They make it very tight. It's always tight window. So the quarterback and along with the D-line coming. So rushing coverage always prevails when, guys are intact and have great communication. And the Broncos seem to have, you know, play the best in the red zone.
00:14:02:06 - 00:14:20:12
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah, I mean, they're statistically the best. But for trips for the Packers to the red zone or one of the best red zone teams coming in and only one touchdown and on the touchdown to Josh Jacobs. We don't have it here. But that Greg Greenlaw coverage couldn't have covered it better. His arm was basically touching the ball. You that's the one where you just shake the offensive players hands.
00:14:20:12 - 00:14:33:25
Brandon Krisztal
Hey man, that's a hell of a catch because Dre was right on him. It was blanketed coverage. But the that was the lone touchdown. So you're obviously doing something right. We know Josh who's a Broncos killer at times. That big 40 yard run goes killer.
00:14:33:25 - 00:14:53:13
Chris Harris Jr.
I mean even with the Raiders he killed us. You know. So I mean that catch you made on Greenlaw was very tough. Greenlaw had his hands in between the catch. But, you know, Josh was just so strong to be able to move the ball away. And you don't even see receivers do that, right? A lot of receivers would have dropped that ball.
00:14:53:13 - 00:14:58:21
Chris Harris Jr.
So that was definitely impressive. And Greenlaw didn't have bad coverage.
00:14:58:24 - 00:15:15:11
Brandon Krisztal
Now if you're arms on the ball that means you're probably close. Close enough. And then Jacobs. Jacobs to me ranks up there with Travis Kelce in terms of Broncos killers. Like that list isn't very, very long with the Rockies. It was always Paul Goldschmidt when he was in Arizona. Was it the Rockies killer or whether it was in Arizona or here?
00:15:15:11 - 00:15:33:23
Brandon Krisztal
He would just destroy him. Same thing. Josh Jacobs doesn't matter where he's playing. You know, Raiders are not Packers. He's he's a Broncos killer at times. Let's let's jump to the next play because this is where I'm concerned in the playoffs. The Broncos, when you talk about issues they sometimes blow stuff deep and they certainly blow stuff out in the flats.
00:15:33:23 - 00:15:36:03
Brandon Krisztal
How come this happened?
00:15:36:06 - 00:15:56:27
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, just the, teams, what they do is they try to run, you know, bunch routes and, different routes for you to match up on. And right here, they're trying to he's trying to call, a box. But, you know, the nickel has to bump out to the flat. The linebackers take that inside route. So this is a bus on Jerry Mack right here.
00:15:57:00 - 00:16:11:07
Chris Harris Jr.
He has to go out and take that guy in the flat that linebackers push into that middle guy. It's something simple. He made the call. So, you know he should have been able to execute it. But you know he just said execute at that time. And, you know, they made him pay.
00:16:11:10 - 00:16:30:17
Brandon Krisztal
Well, I think that's something V.J. and his staff goes over because they're gonna say, look, nobody's out wide of you. Pat's playing deep. You know, you've got more help there on like, maybe Watson catches it. And if Greenlaw and Fungi are too far out of the play, then he runs for big yards. But you still have more guys chasing there than you do at the sideline where there's, every.
00:16:30:20 - 00:16:50:12
Chris Harris Jr.
What they did is right as a nickel. You're always looking at the the two in the three. So Jay Mack, he was probably if I, if I was coaching I would have him I would suggest him scoot out and then we and we would have the game plan this type of route, knowing that this team likes to do one to the flat and they do three up.
00:16:50:12 - 00:17:08:02
Chris Harris Jr.
So, you know, knowing that number 11 is your receiver, being able to push out with him. So so you can see this bunch combination better because you see Pat's taking a deep breath. Yeah. Right. So Jay Mack is going to take that flat and that linebacker is going to push. But you got to carry the green Bay Packers.
00:17:08:02 - 00:17:13:09
Chris Harris Jr.
This is a concept beater if you know how the Broncos match bunch route.
00:17:13:12 - 00:17:29:00
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. And so when you talk about tendencies if you're BJ you want to obviously guard against that. But you talk about Jay Mack. If he's wider than he can see everything in front of him, and if no one's coming to the flat, then he can go make the play and or help make the play there. So, it feels like something, though.
00:17:29:00 - 00:17:44:05
Brandon Krisztal
They'll get corrected. But another time. We know it's happened playing with the running backs and at times with tight ends. But just we've seen these blown coverages. So something they have to obviously tighten up. Another thing. They have to tighten up pass interference calls against number 21.
00:17:44:07 - 00:18:08:25
Chris Harris Jr.
Right. And this is a tough call. You know, I think what they saying is the receiver didn't get that arm back up to try to reach for the ball. And I've gotten caught on this. They I think they used to call it like hand bar or upper hand bar. Ahmad armbar. And you see how he has that arm still holding it down and you don't see the receiver being able to get that hand up.
00:18:08:28 - 00:18:27:03
Chris Harris Jr.
So I think that's what they're calling. That's the guy. You got to be able to do that sometimes as a DB, but you got to be able to still kind of run and play it off, kind of, he, he held that arm down a little bit too long, which some, some refs might let it go, some might call it.
00:18:27:05 - 00:18:31:09
Brandon Krisztal
Well. And if you, if you've got your arm there and we all know when you've run.
00:18:31:12 - 00:18:32:21
Chris Harris Jr.
Arm come up right there.
00:18:32:23 - 00:18:45:15
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. But when you, when, when you're running with somebody right. If someone's hitting your arm it's going to annoy, you know. So you can throw out the timing just a little without him actually putting his hand on, on his arm. So I.
00:18:45:19 - 00:19:05:03
Chris Harris Jr.
I'm really you know, he tries some different right there. He tries a quick Jamil and I but if you look at the defense, the you have four people in the hole inside the middle. I mean, everybody's inside. So if I'm Riley, I would telling you can line up a little bit more, head up the outside kind of force.
00:19:05:03 - 00:19:25:18
Chris Harris Jr.
These guys go even wider on their go routes because, if he hasn't learned yet, they're going deep on him, right? Yeah, they're going deep. So, just get ready to run, and, my my suggestion would be, you know, he lines a little bit inside a lot, which, which I see him getting more vertical outside route.
00:19:25:18 - 00:19:31:00
Chris Harris Jr.
So if I was him, I would kind of move him a little bit more outside in his alone.
00:19:31:02 - 00:19:48:26
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. Let's look at, a couple more plays real quickly. This one right here. You know, we talked about PJ Locke earlier and how many games you started with K Jack suspension over the years and injuries. But jumping in and and you can't have much better coverage than that. And then if you take the ball away. Right.
00:19:48:28 - 00:20:05:10
Chris Harris Jr.
He's he's been a guy that's, that's played a lot in B.J. system. So he understands it. He's going to go in there and fight and, you know, he's a great role player. So you got to have guys that can all play Bronco's all. They've been playing all their DB's all season. So this is a great route.
00:20:05:12 - 00:20:24:10
Chris Harris Jr.
Great. Call right here. We call it, like, a nub technique. When you have two of your linebackers or three of your linebackers have the max underneath him, he has to take the vertical to safety, does so PJ does a great job being able to do his responsibility. And if I'm a quarterback, I don't even know what he does that way.
00:20:24:12 - 00:20:42:12
Chris Harris Jr.
You know, most of the time you would go up top to the receiver side. So so it really should be a pick, you know, as it's because, you know, you got guys under you can play aggressive on a tight end and undercut it. So I think that's part why he's mad. He knows he can undercut that route and be able to take it to the house next time.
00:20:42:14 - 00:20:59:05
Brandon Krisztal
And then finally, you know, he's gotten obviously love when he's made plays and we've dissected his P calls. But Riley had predicted that he and Pat were going to get an interception that one of them would during the week. Turns out both of them did. But how about just the, ball skill here to to catch the ball?
00:20:59:09 - 00:21:05:06
Brandon Krisztal
Same thing tackled while being on the ground, but, tackle nonetheless, or would have been a pick six. What do you think about Riley's?
00:21:05:06 - 00:21:07:23
Chris Harris Jr.
In the case of Riley, Morris had won the season.
00:21:07:25 - 00:21:09:15
Brandon Krisztal
That's it. There you go. That's all of.
00:21:09:15 - 00:21:10:28
Chris Harris Jr.
Us. There's one right there.
00:21:11:01 - 00:21:15:21
Brandon Krisztal
He and Pat had their first interceptions in week 15.
00:21:15:24 - 00:21:33:03
Chris Harris Jr.
Oh man. What a deal I like that yeah I know they've been starving and trying to get one and finally get on the board. So hopefully these guys can stay you know stay hot as we can. And the the you know the turnover turnovers keep rolling in. And that's a crucial pick. You know those overthrows are going to happen.
00:21:33:06 - 00:21:51:05
Chris Harris Jr.
As long as you got tight coverage man the ball should be able to find you. And good thing a final right there. He had to run earlier. Right? He took his two shuffles. I took two shuffles in, and you got to go. So right here, the receivers lining up tight to try to get over there.
00:21:51:08 - 00:22:00:29
Chris Harris Jr.
Riley needs to take his one two shuffles and hit it. So I think if he's a little bit more assertive he can be there. Even even better. Yeah.
00:22:01:01 - 00:22:14:28
Brandon Krisztal
But if he's if he's inside of it, does he end up. No. There's the ball still get thrown there. Maybe because there was enough space. It love trusts his arm. But this is probably a better angle to see if Riley's underneath it quicker. Does he look somewhere else? But it looked like that was the route he was going.
00:22:14:28 - 00:22:15:18
Brandon Krisztal
Either way, he's going.
00:22:15:18 - 00:22:30:20
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, he was going to anyways. Yeah, that's a play they're going to get again. Right. Because some teams are going to feel like, hey, I can fit that throw in especially in Josh Allen. So so as he continues to get these other routes, you know you got to be tighter and tighter as as the season goes.
00:22:30:22 - 00:22:39:23
Brandon Krisztal
All right. That's going to do it for us in the film room. But a good way to transition into the Jaguars.
00:22:39:26 - 00:22:53:24
Brandon Krisztal
We're not going behind enemy lines. We tried to talk to Tim Patrick trying to get to one of the coaches, Tony Boselli, who's now helping run their front office. Boulder native and Hall of Famer. He was nice enough to get back to me, but respectfully decline. He's not doing any media. So let us look at him real quick.
00:22:54:00 - 00:23:12:08
Brandon Krisztal
Let's throw the matchup page on there David. And just look because this Jags team who has won a bunch of football games I think it's better than people realize their offense coming together. Not necessarily a lot in the top ten. But then that defense the one that stands out to me Chris, is because it's so stark with the Broncos is the interceptions.
00:23:12:08 - 00:23:31:16
Brandon Krisztal
And just the takeaways, when when they're really good at getting their hands on the football. One thing BJ brought up to Chris was that as many sacks as they have, he talked about this yesterday. He's surprised they don't have more fumbles, forced fumbles, QB, QB, strips and they live in the backfield. You know, forced fumbles on running backs.
00:23:31:16 - 00:23:41:13
Brandon Krisztal
When you know how many times we've seen a defender meet a ball carrier almost at the mesh point, how surprised are you with these takeaway numbers when you look at the Broncos and how good the Jags have been?
00:23:41:15 - 00:24:03:11
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, 12 takeaways is extremely low when you think of a top defense for sure. So that not getting the forced fumbles off the quarterback or the players. So that's what they and the Broncos definitely, need to tighten up to be a top defense. Had that to be in the 28th and 27th. That's not very good because it's always about the ball.
00:24:03:11 - 00:24:23:07
Chris Harris Jr.
It's always about being able to create opportunities for Bo. And, we got to do better at that. And that's what the Jags have done. They've been able to get 26 takeaways top top five in a league. Being able to help Trevor Lawrence. And that's really what's engineered his offense even getting highly you know playing on short sides of the field.
00:24:23:10 - 00:24:43:14
Chris Harris Jr.
The running back is being able to run better than younger guys. And Trevor's making right decisions. And getting big plays. I think the Meyers pick up was huge, from the Raiders and, give them a another vet guy, that understands the game. He just he does the dirty work. So, it's going to be, a tough game this week.
00:24:43:14 - 00:24:48:07
Chris Harris Jr.
And, the Broncos got to avoid giving those guys the ball back.
00:24:48:09 - 00:25:04:26
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. You know, I just mentioned him, but you talking about Myers. We know how good Brian Thomas can be. Etienne B.J. brought up said he's playing as good a football as he's played. And then another guy that, you know, we're familiar with, Tim Patrick. Here's real quickly. Here's Sean Payton talking about Tim Patrick.
00:25:04:28 - 00:25:33:06
Speaker 3
He was well you guys know more than I do. He just was a pro. Great to be around. And, I mean, we were devastated. I think it was like one of the first reps of minicamp. So I text him last year in Detroit and then lost track, and then you see him showing up, you see periodically on this touchdown reel, you know, you always worry about the ones that get away.
00:25:33:06 - 00:25:41:06
Speaker 3
But, you know, sills has had a few in Atlanta now and, and some of these guys that you know, you're happy for those guys.
00:25:41:09 - 00:25:56:03
Brandon Krisztal
We know we know what Tim is, especially on third down. But I remember when he went down the first time a coach tell me he's not just the heart and soul of our wideout room. For as much as Portland's a leader, Tim was kind of more of a quiet, quiet leader. But he's like, he's the heart and soul of our offense.
00:25:56:03 - 00:26:06:13
Brandon Krisztal
And so he was down those two years. You obviously had a good run there in Detroit. And now he goes to Jacksonville. And look how how well the Jags have played. So you got to give him a little bit of credit for that leadership.
00:26:06:16 - 00:26:24:12
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah I mean Tim has always been a pro's pro. He was always a very hard worker. And I feel like he was you know we kind of baptized him. You know, the older guys, you know? So he, he was one of my teammates. And, it's good to see him still play and still play hard. He's always been a great blocker.
00:26:24:15 - 00:26:42:27
Chris Harris Jr.
Make definitely, vertical, catches down the field. So we got to be aware of him. And, you know, he's going to definitely try to take Moss up top. I definitely see them try to get him a deep ball. So it's going to be fun to watch this game. And coach Miles the dog, the DB coach over there.
00:26:42:27 - 00:26:50:27
Chris Harris Jr.
So I know these guys are going to be disciplined. You know, he's got to want to come back in Denver and get a win. So it's going to be a great matchup.
00:26:51:00 - 00:27:01:17
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. Coach Miles was here a couple times right. He you said he coached you for six years of your of your decade here in Denver. That's that's saying something.
00:27:01:19 - 00:27:02:18
Chris Harris Jr.
Three.
00:27:02:21 - 00:27:07:19
Brandon Krisztal
Three either way, you're obviously familiar.
00:27:07:19 - 00:27:10:07
Chris Harris Jr.
With here. How long do we have Foxy yet?
00:27:10:08 - 00:27:11:15
Brandon Krisztal
Foxy for four seasons.
00:27:11:17 - 00:27:12:12
Chris Harris Jr.
Four seasons.
00:27:12:14 - 00:27:34:06
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. 20 2011 through 2014. Then Cubs came and you won a Super Bowl. So that still worked out. All right, before we get to our predictions and know that that you got to run, because of kids holiday party commitments at school, our kids are off today, so, but either way, you're lucky you give me a quick thought on Trevor Lawrence and what we've seen from a guy that was not only a number one pick.
00:27:34:08 - 00:27:53:10
Brandon Krisztal
Scouts would tell you that since Andrew Luck, who really was the best prospect, maybe there was Payton or John Elway, but Trevor Lawrence is in that category of clear cut number one guy in that draft. What what do you see from Trevor Lawrence especially of late where he's obviously just been balling.
00:27:53:12 - 00:28:14:03
Chris Harris Jr.
The day whatever. It's always been turnovers making those, bad throws at the wrong time and just not being a very confident quarterback. And I think now that he has some receivers, he's confident. And, this young, energizing coach, is giving him a lot of confidence. And he's just playing better right now. The run game is helping him.
00:28:14:05 - 00:28:32:09
Chris Harris Jr.
And, he's using his legs. He's running more. But Trevor Lawrence, like you said, he was a guy that they already penciled in to be the first pick overall in the draft as a freshman in high in college. So they already had this guy in there. They seen his body. He's a big guy. Six, four, six, five.
00:28:32:12 - 00:28:42:23
Chris Harris Jr.
Quarterback can make all the throw. So it's just been about decision making with him and he's playing a lot better. The offense fits him better. And the receivers are getting open for him right now.
00:28:42:26 - 00:29:00:28
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah, it's certainly going to be a challenge. All right. We're going to fly through our prediction segment. You know I said David about the College Football Playoff. Let's get into those games. Is there any world where Oregon loses? I mean, I don't see James Madison or Tulane pulling out a win, right? So we'll just go ahead and pencil those ones in.
00:29:00:28 - 00:29:05:28
Brandon Krisztal
But let's go Alabama. Oh you obviously you got plenty of I know.
00:29:05:29 - 00:29:07:17
Chris Harris Jr.
You're very different.
00:29:07:19 - 00:29:18:19
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. Where do you come down on your Sooners? I mean, you grew up in Tulsa. You went to Ku, but you obviously have plenty of kids that have played and friends and played at OSU and grew up with friends that were Sooners or Cowboys. So you're going, oh, you.
00:29:18:21 - 00:29:21:24
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. Oh yeah, for sure. It's hard to beat Alabama twice.
00:29:21:27 - 00:29:27:14
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. Just just because I grew up a Longhorns fan. But I won't be sad if he wins.
00:29:27:17 - 00:29:31:27
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. All right, let me tell it to beat Alabama twice. I got a record. Oh, you all right?
00:29:31:27 - 00:29:42:28
Brandon Krisztal
And then, hurricanes and A&M in College Station. It's a tough place to play. And I don't know what version of Miami you're going to get. I'm. I'm picking the Aggies.
00:29:43:00 - 00:29:52:03
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, I'm going to A&M. The defense is tough. I like the quarterback being able to, you know, use his legs. And they got a good running game. So I'm gonna go with A&M.
00:29:52:06 - 00:30:15:03
Brandon Krisztal
All right. And then let's jump to the NFL. Team. We just saw the Packers now without Micah Parsons. Can they go to, Soldier Field where. No way. It's going to be as cold as it was last week, but I'm sure it's not super warm. Do the Packers bounce back? Because I saw this stat, the seven teams that have come to Denver so far this year and lost at a mile above sea level have then lost the next week.
00:30:15:06 - 00:30:33:06
Chris Harris Jr.
I got the bears. The bears are just playing good football, taking the ball away. Ben Johnson is a great offensive coach. Offensive coordinator. Packers are down. You know, they're they're hurting right now and their secondary didn't play too well versus the Broncos. So, I like the bears in this one.
00:30:33:09 - 00:30:48:13
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah I'm there with you. And did the bears already win at Lambeau? I think they might have. I think that's what jumped them to the top of the, of the NFC. They have. Yeah. So we're both going bears here. And I got D.J. Moore in some fantasy playoffs. So be cool if he had a couple touchdowns. All right.
00:30:48:16 - 00:31:00:14
Brandon Krisztal
We've got Bucs Panthers two teams that just don't want to win that division. Bucs blowing it to the Falcons and the Panthers blowing it to the Saints. But I games in Charlotte. I think the Bucs figure it out I'm just going with experience.
00:31:00:17 - 00:31:10:29
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah the Bucs you know coach is pretty upset last press conference. He's causing a lot you know so I think they probably got the message I'm gonna go with Tampa Bay this week.
00:31:11:02 - 00:31:27:14
Brandon Krisztal
Well I think he's here in the writing on the wall like hey, they're talking about me losing my job, even I. And if I blow this in this wide open to a not wide open, wide open, but very winnable division, then he gets it. And their team probably is too good to lose this game. So I'm with you I'm gonna go Bucs.
00:31:27:17 - 00:31:43:19
Brandon Krisztal
All right Chargers Cowboys Chargers lose. Good for the Broncos. We don't know what Cowboys team we're going to get other than they've got plenty of offense and better defense. And I haven't checked to see where things are with Quinnen Williams. And you're obviously down in Dallas. Can the Cowboys pull off the upset and help the Broncos out now?
00:31:43:19 - 00:31:59:19
Chris Harris Jr.
I think Chargers win this game. The Chargers play pretty solid right now Hampton came back won the football. Very good. So it's just a bad matchup for the Cowboys. They don't really match up very well. Very pro-style type offenses. So I'll go with the Chargers this week.
00:31:59:21 - 00:32:06:10
Brandon Krisztal
I'll be the homer and take my hometown Cowboys. They've disappointed me plenty over the years. So this could be that week too. But I don't at least pick them.
00:32:06:18 - 00:32:08:06
Chris Harris Jr.
You can't pick the Chargers.
00:32:08:08 - 00:32:24:01
Brandon Krisztal
No I just can't do it. Steelers. Lions. Look, Steelers I think maybe you have, calmed people down with the wins the last couple of weeks. You know, beating the Ravens a couple of weeks ago, then winning the Monday night game. So shorter week for them. Lions have been up and down obviously losing both play callers. You talked about Ben Johnson with the bears.
00:32:24:03 - 00:32:32:06
Brandon Krisztal
But who wins this game. It's obviously I think want to be one of the most watched games Sunday afternoon in that you know national CBS window.
00:32:32:09 - 00:32:47:28
Chris Harris Jr.
I'm gonna go with the Lions and there's going to be a huge game. They both have to win this game. It's a must win for both. But the Steelers have a little leeway. The Lions don't have any at all. You know what the Packers and, the bears sitting up there pretty well. So the Lions gotta win this game.
00:32:47:28 - 00:32:50:04
Chris Harris Jr.
I'm gonna rock with them this week.
00:32:50:06 - 00:33:07:09
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah, I think I'm with you. I just can't trust the Steelers. They might end up sneaking out of that division because of just what's going on with other teams. But yeah, I'm going to take the Lions at home. Pat's Ravens Patriots need to win to keep pace with the Broncos and to keep pace with the bills. Because we know that the bills aren't going away quietly.
00:33:07:11 - 00:33:11:00
Brandon Krisztal
Can the Ravens figure it out against a good Patriots team?
00:33:11:03 - 00:33:18:12
Chris Harris Jr.
I'm gonna go with the Ravens this week. I think it's it's a must have when they gotta win this game I think Lamar is going to be Lamar this week.
00:33:18:14 - 00:33:33:20
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah I'm with you I'd love to see Lamar be Lamar last week. Get some take a sack where you drop back and didn't even try to make a move. Like the guys coming at him. He just let him tackle him. I was like, that's the most fun Lamar thing I've ever seen. But yeah, I think the Ravens get it at home too, because I'm just not a believer in the Patriots yet.
00:33:33:22 - 00:33:42:28
Brandon Krisztal
Niners. Colts Monday night nighter Philip Rivers at home. Friendly conversation Andy. Yeah I think the nightmare six and a half point favorites.
00:33:43:00 - 00:34:02:25
Chris Harris Jr.
To kill Philip Rivers this week. Yeah I think I don't see it happening that bad is going to hurt way worse week to So I definitely go with the the and the 40 niners man met them surprise team. Right. With a lot of the injuries that they've had, especially with Warner going out. You know their defense is still been playing excellent football.
00:34:02:25 - 00:34:03:12
Chris Harris Jr.
So Warner.
00:34:03:12 - 00:34:04:18
Brandon Krisztal
And Bosa.
00:34:04:21 - 00:34:22:21
Chris Harris Jr.
Oh yeah. And Bosa you know those are huge pieces. All pro guys. Not out there on the field. And they still win. And so salute to Shanahan out there. And CMC's ball and priorities ball. Yeah. And and even I Jennings is actually ball on that receiver. So yeah.
00:34:22:24 - 00:34:25:15
Brandon Krisztal
You know I know he doesn't care for Jennings.
00:34:25:17 - 00:34:28:05
Chris Harris Jr.
But I got the Niners. I got the Niners. What it is, I mean.
00:34:28:05 - 00:34:43:15
Brandon Krisztal
This is a holiday season where you say, ho ho ho. So I guess, that's maybe where Shelby was going with with Joanne Jennings. But also, you talk about those two guys in both from Warner Hufanga is here in Denver. Ball and out of control. We know what what he's meant to their defense over the years.
00:34:43:19 - 00:35:03:21
Brandon Krisztal
And Greenlaw as well. Two guys that I know Kyle Shanahan didn't want to lose especially Dre Greenlaw. All right then finally we'll obviously get to the game that we care about the most. The Broncos, after being underdogs for the second time this year at home. They are a couple point favorites over the Jags. Do you see the Jags coming in and pull off the upset I won't be surprised.
00:35:03:21 - 00:35:07:27
Brandon Krisztal
They won't blow my mind if it happened. But I think we're both picking the Broncos. What do you think a score is.
00:35:08:00 - 00:35:27:03
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah I think the Broncos decline will be too much for Trevor Lawrence. He's going to fall back kind of to where he was early in the season, making the bad decisions. And, if he wants to win this week, he's going to have to run. He's got to run. He's going to have to run with his legs, get out the pocket, make plays and have some big plays down the field.
00:35:27:03 - 00:35:36:09
Chris Harris Jr.
So I think, Pat will be able to match up with Brian Thomas pretty good. The big key matchup is with Meyers Meyers and Jaquan McMillan. You know.
00:35:36:12 - 00:35:37:18
Brandon Krisztal
I just got paid.
00:35:37:21 - 00:35:52:02
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. So that's going to be the matchup with the game. Meyers has had some success versus the Broncos, but, I don't think it'll be enough to be able to stop. Bo Nix and the, the Broncos defense, I think is going to be too much.
00:35:52:05 - 00:35:54:02
Brandon Krisztal
So give me a score.
00:35:54:04 - 00:36:03:20
Chris Harris Jr.
Let's, Bose putting Bose hot right now. I'm feeling. I'm feeling good, man. I'm feeling the 28, let's say 28. 20. Win.
00:36:03:22 - 00:36:23:29
Brandon Krisztal
Okay, so they covered three, two half. I just checked a three and a half. I think it's something in that 2027, 24 to 30 to 24 kind of. So I think they I think they might cover. But I guess I won't be surprised if they don't. But yeah, we're both picking the Broncos to win. And then you'll talk to ABC Shelby and Ryan on Tuesday to look at the Broncos Chiefs matchup.
00:36:24:05 - 00:36:32:27
Brandon Krisztal
And we'll obviously have a reaction. But we won't talk until next Friday. So any world where the Chiefs went on Christmas night.
00:36:33:00 - 00:36:36:12
Chris Harris Jr.
Now they're done. I don't even know who their backup is. Who's their backup?
00:36:36:13 - 00:36:38:10
Brandon Krisztal
Gardner Minshew through the pig.
00:36:38:12 - 00:36:39:06
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah.
00:36:39:09 - 00:36:40:16
Brandon Krisztal
Were we know he's a gamer.
00:36:40:18 - 00:36:58:05
Chris Harris Jr.
It's all over for the Chiefs. And, you know, Chris Jones is probably going to be you know, he's going to have an injury up coming up. So Kelsey is also, so, you know, they'll probably be looking for new homes, after this season. So, it's going to be big changes coming in Kansas City.
00:36:58:07 - 00:37:14:21
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. And nobody in Broncos country is crying for him. They've had their run, and we'll be fine seeing them, take a step back as they did this year. Chris, it's always great talking to you. Have a great rest of the week and enjoy the holiday parties at the girls schools. And Merry Christmas to you and yours.
00:37:14:21 - 00:37:24:25
Brandon Krisztal
Happy holidays. Thanks to David. Thanks to John. We'll catch you next Friday after what we hope is a AFC top seed clinching win for the Broncos here. But this has been football Fridays.