DENVER, CO - AUGUST 19: Quarterback Brett Rypien #4 of the Denver Broncos warms up before a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
It is a huge compliment to the NFL that a quarterback battle between Sam Darnold and Brett Rypien can actually be compelling. On Thursday night, the Broncos faced off against the Jets in a battle of the bottom feeders, but the play, while mediocre, was actually quite entertaining with neither team being able to stop the other or really figuring out what they could do on offense. While Darnold managed to be a zero in the passing game with no touchdowns or interceptions, he head manage a simultaneously miraculous and hilarious 46-yard touchdown run. While on the other end, Rypien led the Broncos to a 37-28 victory while throwing three interceptions. I don’t know if winning when your quarterback throws three interceptions is a compliment to the Broncos roster or an indictment on the Jets and their coach Adam Gase.
It felt like both coaches were coaching for their jobs, with both teams 0-3 heading into this game, but it has been reported that Gase, who is widely considered one of the league’s worst coaches, was not coaching for his job and will remain the teams’ coach for at least the near future. On the other end, Vic Fangio, the Broncos head coach, was visibly relieved after his teams’ win. “Winning has cured more ills than penicillin,” said Fangio.
Neither team is likely to make any playoff noise, but the NFL reminded us on Thursday that just because the football is bad, doesn’t mean that it isn’t entertaining.
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