Denver, CO

Denver's Potential Match with this East-West Shrine Bowl QB

Published

2 years ago

February 6, 2024

Over the past few years, the Reese’s Senior Bowl has undergone substantial growth, firmly establishing itself as the premier showcase for the NCAA’s top prospects. However, astute NFL scouts recognize that other showcase bowl games, like the East-West Shrine Bowl, boast plenty of potential and under-the-radar players capable of transforming a franchise.

Just two years ago, quarterback Brock Purdy of the 49ers suited up for the same bowl game, hoping to hear his name called in the NFL Draft. It took Purdy three days to have his name announced, becoming the final pick of the NFL draft at No. 262, also known as Mr. Irrelevant. Yet, far from being irrelevant, Purdy now stands just a week away from the pinnacle of the sport, the Super Bowl. Along the way, he has not only proven his worth as the team’s franchise quarterback but has also made a compelling case for consideration in the race for the NFL’s MVP award.

With the quarterback position undoubtedly up in the air in Denver, the Broncos face the challenging task of evaluating every available prospect. While Denver isn’t exactly in a position to take a gamble in search of their own ‘Brock Purdy,’ there’s a prospect that could bring excitement to the Mile High City.

Before outright dismissing the idea of having Taulia Tagovailoa in Denver, give me a moment.

Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 200 lbs, Taulia Tagovailoa isn’t exactly screaming ‘franchise quarterback.’ Similar to any rookie quarterback not in contention for a first-round draft pick, Tagovailoa has room to improve in terms of footwork and throwing mechanics, but that shouldn’t rule him out entirely.

In his Shrine Bowl outing, Tagovailoa showcased his prowess when scrambling outside the pocket, making throws on the run, and evading pressure. Completing 9 of 14 pass attempts for 142 yards and a 2-yard scramble for a touchdown, he demonstrated a playstyle that isn’t entirely absent in Denver’s current quarterback situation. However, Tagovailoa comes at a much more affordable price tag compared to Russell Wilson’s $35.4 million cap hit this year.

During his time at Maryland, Tagovailoa navigated Mike Locksley’s offense, where RPOs were a staple every Saturday. Last season, Sean Payton effectively integrated RPOs, enabling Wilson to capitalize on chunk plays. Envisioning the Broncos running potent RPOs with a more youthful quarterback who can turn on the jets is an exciting prospect.

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If the Broncos decide to part ways with Wilson, Tagovailoa may not be their initial choice for a replacement. Nevertheless, his combination of sheer athletic ability and arm talent is compelling enough for Denver to consider securing him as an UDFA, giving Sean Payton his own version of a ‘Taysom Hill’ or a Swiss army knife, if you will.

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Denver, CO

What drivers will face traveling into mountains near Denver on I-70 amid Floyd Hill bridge building

Published

11 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

What drivers will face traveling into mountains near Denver on I-70 amid Floyd Hill bridge building

Drivers heading west from metro Denver into the mountains on Interstate 70 on Monday and Tuesday face overnight closures, and 20-minute stops through Thursday at the base of Floyd Hill, the latest traffic disruptions for bridge building as part of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s $800 million reconstruction of I-70 through Clear Creek Canyon.

The nighttime closures this week, scheduled from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m., are planned around the I-70/U.S. 6 interchange at exit 244 and include on- and off-ramps.

Drivers also should expect to wait at 20-minute stops multiple times per day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on I-70 starting Monday, and continuing through Thursday, according to a CDOT notice.

But officials said there would be no planned traffic disruptions during the holidays from Dec. 20 to Jan. 5.

CDOT contractors will be blasting rock in the canyon above eastbound and westbound I-70 between the Veterans Memorial Tunnels and the Homestead Road interchange near Idaho Springs. And drivers may face intermittent traffic stops along the Central City Parkway, County Road 314, U.S. 6, and U.S. 40, CDOT officials said.

CDOT contractors are building a temporary framework to support their upcoming construction of a concrete bridge on I-70. When it’s done, the bridge will carry westbound drivers through a new route that CDOT officials say will be safer and improve traffic flows through the canyon, which long has loomed as a bottleneck.

The rebuilt highway, with an added westbound express toll lane, eventually will carry drivers through a widened canyon on viaducts 115 feet above Clear Creek. This safer route, designed to improve visibility for drivers, is expected to allow speeds of 55 miles per hour in areas now marked 45 mph.

Depending on the weather this week, disruptive construction work may shift to Wednesday and Thursday, CDOT officials said.

The I-70 Floyd Hill Project involves about eight miles of I-70 in the mountainous area between Evergreen and the eastern edge of Idaho Springs. CDOT officials have promised that, as part of the project, they’ll improve the Clear Creek Greenway trail and ensure safer routes for wildlife.

Construction began in July 2023. The project is expected to conclude in 2029.

Drivers learn more by calling CDOT at 720-994-2368 or by texting floydhill to 21000 and signing up for text alerts. CDOT officials also said information about weather, road conditions, and travel impacts is available at COtrip.org.

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Denver, CO

Where do Packers stand in NFC playoff picture after loss in Denver?

Published

24 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Where do Packers stand in NFC playoff picture after loss in Denver?

The Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) dropped from first to second in the NFC North and from the second seed to the seventh seed in the NFC after losing to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Significant injuries suffered against the Broncos will mean lasting implications are felt past Sunday. The Packers are also now a long shot to catch the Los Angeles Rams for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and it’ll take a win next Saturday night in Chicago to retake control in the NFC North.

But the Packers are still in a good spot in terms of making the postseason field, especially after the Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys all lost on Sunday.

NFC playoff picture after Week 15

Los Angeles Rams (11-3, 6-3 vs. NFC)
Chicago Bears (10-4, 6-3 vs. NFC)
Philadelphia Eagles (9-5, 7-3 vs. NFC)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7, 5-5 vs. NFC)
Seattle Seahawks (11-3, 6-3 vs. NFC)
San Francisco 49ers (10-4, 8-2 vs. NFC)
Green Bay Packers (9-4-1, 7-2-1 vs. NFC)

Others: Lions (8-6), Panthers (7-7), Cowboys (6-7-1)

According to The Athletic’s NFL playoff simulator, the Packers have a 92 percent chance of making the postseason with three weeks to go. They become all but guaranteed of a playoff spot if they can beat the Bears in Chicago in Week 16. In fact, just one win over the final three weeks could be enough for the Packers to get in.

The NFC North winner looks like a coinflip. The Athletic’s model gives the Packers a 48 percent chance of winning the division right now, and it would go up to 82 percent with a win over the Bears on Saturday. Chicago took down the Cleveland Browns with ease in bitter cold temps at Soldier Field on Sunday.

The Athletic’s model also gives the Packers a 98 percent chance of being the No. 2 seed if Matt LaFleur’s team can win out. That will be much easier said than done without Micah Parsons (and potentially Christian Watson) down the stretch.

Two very possibilities for the Packers: Win the NFC North and host the Bears in the NFC Wild Card Round, or get in as the No. 7 seed and go to Chicago to play the Bears in the NFC Wild Card Round. A third round of the rivalry is increasingly possible in January.

Packers remaining games

Nothing easy here. The Bears, Ravens and Vikings all won Sunday. The Bears and Ravens won comfortably; the Vikings upset the Cowboys — who desperately needed to win — in Dallas. The Bears and Ravens are both playing to win division titles. The Vikings are a dangerously talented spoiler team, and winning at U.S. Bank Stadium is never easy. The Athletic’s model gives the Packers roughly a 40 percent chance of making the postseason even with an 0-3 finish. The Lions are the biggest threat to pass the Packers in the event they finish 0-3.

It appears the Packers can clinch a playoff spot next week with a win over the Bears and a Steelers win over the Lions.

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Denver, CO

Packers vs. Broncos Week 15 Game Discussion Thread

Published

1 day ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Packers vs. Broncos Week 15 Game Discussion Thread

It’s time for the AFC’s #1 team to meet the NFC’s #2. Today the Denver Broncos host the Green Bay Packers in a key late-season inter-conference matchup that could have playoff seeding implications for both teams.

In Denver, the Broncos will be trying to hold on to the top spot in the AFC and keep their impressive win streak rolling. Denver has won ten straight games, some of them in fairly ridiculous fashion, but they sit at 11-2, sharing the top record in the NFL with the New England Patriots, who are just behind them in the playoff picture based on conference record.

The Packers, meanwhile, want to hold on to the lead in the NFC North before they have their rematch with the Chicago Bears next Saturday night. Green Bay sits behind only the Los Angeles Rams in the playoff race in the NFC, and they want to return to the Central time zone with that lead intact.

Join us here at Acme Packing Company to discuss today’s game, and Go Pack Go!

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