Tensions are starting to boil over at the Denver Broncos amid a frustrating season.
Russell Wilson’s shortcomings have been well documented, with the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback a shell of his former self.
The Broncos’ season fell to a new low on Monday, getting blown out by the struggling Carolina Panthers 23-10 including trailing by as much as 23-3 late in the fourth.
Wilson was inefficient, going 18-of-37 for 142 yards and averaging just 4.1 yards per attempt as the Broncos fell to 3-8 on the season.
At one point during the game, Broncos defensive lineman Mike Purcell got into Wilson’s face on the sideline to seemingly vent his frustration at the team’s woes on the offensive end.
The Broncos went all in on Wilson by surrendering a huge trade haul to the Seattle Seahawks to acquire him, surrendering two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, Drew Lock, Shelby Harris and Noah Fant before handing him a five-year, $245 million extension (AUD $364m).
And so frustrations from Purcell and Denver’s defence isn’t a surprise given they’ve been solid at that end of the ground this season, notwithstanding Monday’s outing against Carolina including a big performance from quarterback Sam Darnold (164 yards), who outplayed Wilson for most of the game.
Although it could’ve simply been a heated in-game confrontation, Denver clearly has major problems at the moment and little to be optimistic about as the Wilson move has backfired badly.
JAGUARS WIN IN EPIC FINISH
The Jacksonville Jaguars have pulled off a thrilling late-game comeback over the Baltimore Ravens to win 28-27.
Trevor Lawrence found Marvin Jones Jr. for a touchdown and two-point conversion with 14 seconds left in a match-winning play as the Jaguars scored 18 points in the final six minutes of play.
Justin Tucker then attempted a 67-yard field goal in a bid to win it for the Ravens, but it just fell short to seal the result.
It capped off a thrilling fourth quarter where both teams combined for 33 points, going back and fourth in a high-scoring final stanza.
Lawrence went 29-for-37 for 321 yards with two touchdowns and had no interceptions, while Lamar Jackson was equally impressive at the other end with 16-of-32 for 254 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions and 89 rushing yards.
DOLPHINS WIN FIFTH IN A ROW
The Miami Dolphins made it five wins in a row in a 30-15 victory over the Houston Texans ti improve to 8-3.
Dolphins wide receiver duo Jaylen Waddle (five receives, 85 yards) and Tyreek Hill (six receives, 85 yards) starred, with both players ranked top 10 in receiving yards per game this season, per StatMuse.
Waddle in the first quarter broke Miami’s franchise record for the most receiving yards in the first two seasons of a career (1,926), per ESPN.
Meanwhile Tua Tagovailoa threw for 299 yards and had his fourth-straight game without an interception.
The Dolphins are now undefeated (8-0) in games Tagovailoa has played this season including beginning their five-game winning streak when he returned from concussion protocol.
Miami led by as much as 30-0 at half-time before Houston mounted a challenge, but it was ultimately too late as the Texans fell to 1-9-1.
ALL RESULTS
BUCCANEERS 17 BROWNS 23
BENGALS 20 TITANS 16
TEXANS 15 DOLPHINS 30
BEARS 10 JETS 31
FALCONS 13 COMMANDERS 19
BRONCOS 10 PANTHERS 23
RAVENS 27 JAGUARS 28