Here’s a look at whose stock improved or declined after the Broncos’ 33-10 win over the Saints on Thursday night.
Stock Up
ILB Cody Barton: Denver’s inside linebacker played the game of his life. Barton recorded eight tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a recovery that resulted in a touchdown during the fourth quarter. Barton played with his hair on fire from the start of the game. With less than four minutes to go in the first quarter, he ran into the backfield undetected by Spencer Rattler and the Saints offensive line before recording a strip-sack. The Broncos’ defense took a big hit in Week 3 when Alex Singleton tore his ACL. Barton, Justin Strnad and now Kwon Alexander — who made his Broncos debut in the win — have done a nice job picking up the slack.
Rushing attack: The Broncos’ run game was a beautiful sight to see. Denver totaled 225 yards on the ground while averaging 6.4 yards per attempt. Javonte Williams had his best performance of the season, rushing for 88 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry — his most in a game since 2021. Quarterback Bo Nix didn’t have any issues using his legs, recording 75 yards on 10 attempts. Jaleel McLaughlin also got in on the action with 35 yards. Denver had 206 rushing yards through three quarters. Granted, not every team will be as bad defensively as the Saints. But if Denver wants to have success offensively the rest of the season, it starts with running the rock.
WR Troy Franklin: The rookie wide receiver’s performance wasn’t earth-shattering, but it showed he is making progress. Franklin had a team-high five catches for 50 yards while averaging 10 yards per reception on six targets. His best play came in the second quarter when Nix rolled to the right before completing a 30-yard pass to Franklin. The catch helped set up Williams’ 8-yard rushing touchdown, which gave Denver a 13-0 advantage. Nix has been eager to get Franklin more involved, and that has shown in the last two weeks.
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CB Ja’Quan McMillian: In case anyone forgot, McMillian is pretty good at football. Denver’s nickel cornerback finished with six tackles (two for loss) and showcased his ability as a blitzer in the fourth quarter when he forced Rattler to fumble, resulting in Barton’s scoop-and-score. This season, there’s been so much talk about Pat Surtain II — who was out with a concussion — and the ascent of second-year cornerback Riley Moss. But McMillian, building on his strong play from last season, has also played a major role in the secondary’s success through seven weeks.
Stock Down
Nix’s footwork: Sure, the Broncos won and Nix played well overall. That doesn’t eliminate the need for Nix to improve his footwork in the pocket. He missed out on putting the Broncos in the red zone and maybe recording a passing touchdown on Denver’s first drive because he failed to get his feet properly set, leading to an incomplete pass meant for tight end Lucas Krull. This wasn’t the first time Nix’s footwork has impacted his accuracy. Throughout the season, he has had moments of happy feet in the pocket, leading to missed opportunities in the passing game. Nix has the tools to be a quality quarterback in the league. His footwork has to improve if he wants to reach new heights.
WR Courtland Sutton: Denver’s veteran wideout was a nonfactor in primetime, not recording a single target against New Orleans. Sutton hasn’t been terrible this season. But he hasn’t been great, either. Entering Thursday’s matchup, Sutton averaged 46.2 receiving yards per game with a receiving success rate of 40%. He has averaged 5.9 yards per target — a career low. Sutton still has a knack for making spectacular catches. But he’s not doing that on a weekly basis.
RB Audric Estime: The rookie is fun to watch whenever he’s trucking across the field. He had five carries for 29 yards, including a 13-yard run in the fourth quarter. The issue with Estime is ball security. He has two fumbles on nine attempts this season. Estime fumbled on his first career carry in Week 1. Against the Saints, he lost the ball with 6:17 to go in the fourth quarter, resulting in a turnover.
WR Marvin Mims Jr.: As a returner, Mims is like a 98 overall player in Madden. The same can’t be said about him as a receiver. He had two catches for 18 yards on three targets and hasn’t recorded 20 or more receiving yards in a game since last year’s loss to the Patriots in December. He had a chance to make his stat line a little sweeter, but he dropped Nix’s pass attempt during the final seconds of the first half.
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Dogs like Bailey — the former Dog of the Week in The Denver Post’s Adventurist newsletter — will be in good company at the first Denver Dog Fair this weekend. (Provided by Barbara Ellis)
Denver Dog Fair
Saturday-Sunday. Woof! If the last few weeks have left you panting, why not surround yourself with unconditional love? The first Denver Dog Fair takes place on Nov. 22 and 23 with the promise of unending poochie goodness. There will be dog adoption booths, “celebrity” dogs, performances and tricks, a dog-fashion show, vendors, a dozen food trucks, kids’ bounce house, crafting, and more.
It takes place indoors at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 E. Quincy Ave. in Aurora, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets: $20, good for both days; 5 and under free. $5 per dog. Price includes all entertainment and activities (minus adoption fees and food/drink). denverdogfair.com
Christkindlmarket and the Mile High Tree
Friday. The annual Mile High Tree at Civic Center park has quickly become a modern classic in Denver, with its 110-foot-tall display of 60,000, color-changing LED lights. Its location next to the annual Christkindlmarket and across from the brightly decorated Denver City & County Building makes it a one-stop shop for free family holiday fun.
At the 24th Christkindlmarket you’ll find local vendors plus Glühwein (mulled spiced wine), German biers and hot chocolate, Bavarian-style pretzels, fresh smoked salmon, Knödel, goulash, Nürnberger sausages, pastries, caramels and European chocolates. The tree’s light-and-music shows run from 5 to 10 p.m. nightly.
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The market and tree both open on Friday, Nov. 22, with the market running through Dec. 23. The market is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. denver.org/milehighholidays/mile-high-tree or christkindlmarketdenver.com
Charlie Fausette, 6, from Tampa, Fla., ice skates with her father Rob at Downtown Denver Rink in Denver on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Free ice skating downtown
Through Feb. 2, 2025. Whatever the weather, you can get a bit of holiday fun in by stopping by the popular Downtown Denver Rink. The rink, which basically bisects the 16th Street Mall’s Skyline Park (just outside the Daniels and Fisher Clocktower at 16th and Arapahoe streets), is a public rink where you can rent or bring your own skates.
It’s open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Entry is free; skate rentals are $12 for adults and $9 for kids 12 and under. winterindenver.com/rink
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be ready for photos at the Denver Christmas Show, this year moving to the National Western Complex. (Provided by Michelle Ellis)
A very merry Denver Christmas Show
Friday-Sunday. You don’t have to be in the market for gifts to get something out of the Denver Christmas Show at the National Western Complex. It’s a family-friendly affair, with Santa visits (and photos), daily storytime and hot cocoa with Mrs. Claus, live music, dancing, and more.
Of course, if you want to pick up some candy or chocolate, local gifts, or holiday decor, that will be right there too (with free gift wrapping), as well as plenty of other vendors. Tickets for the Friday, Nov. 22-Sunday, Nov. 24, event are $14 for 14-and-up, and free for 13-and-under. It runs 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at 4655 Humboldt St. in Denver. denverchristmasshow.com
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Dallas Mavericks (8-7, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (8-5, fifth in the Western Conference)
Denver; Friday, 10 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: Dallas seeks to keep its three-game win streak alive when the Mavericks take on Denver.
The Nuggets are 4-5 in Western Conference games. Denver is fifth in the league with 46.2 rebounds led by Nikola Jokic averaging 13.7.
The Mavericks have gone 6-6 against Western Conference opponents. Dallas ranks sixth in the Western Conference with 17.2 fast break points per game led by Luka Doncic averaging 4.6.
The Nuggets make 46.8% of their shots from the field this season, which is 2.1 percentage points higher than the Mavericks have allowed to their opponents (44.7%). The Mavericks average 115.6 points per game, 0.5 more than the 115.1 the Nuggets give up to opponents.
TOP PERFORMERS: Michael Porter Jr. is shooting 47.9% and averaging 18.3 points for the Nuggets.
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Kyrie Irving is averaging 24.3 points and 5.2 assists for the Mavericks.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 7-3, averaging 119.7 points, 45.4 rebounds, 30.7 assists, 9.0 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.0 points per game.
Mavericks: 5-5, averaging 118.0 points, 44.3 rebounds, 25.5 assists, 7.7 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.2 points.
INJURIES: Nuggets: Aaron Gordon: out (calf), DaRon Holmes II: out for season (achilles), Nikola Jokic: day to day (personal).
Mavericks: Dante Exum: out (wrist).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Pop music icon Billie Eilish had a very important request before performing a sold-out show at Denver’s Ball Arena on Tuesday night: She wanted to snuggle with some animals.
Two Front Range shelters were more than happy to bring some furry friends for a backstage meet-and-greet with Eilish and her team, Brighter Days Dog Rescue founder and director Becca Orin said.
Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary first got the request through the venue, and the Commerce City sanctuary teamed up with Brighter Days in Boulder to bring puppies, kittens and a pony to the arena.
Billie Eilish snuggles with a puppy and pony from Brighter Days Dog Rescue and Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary before performing at Ball Arena in Denver on Nov. 19, 2024. (Courtesy of Becca Orin)
Eilish, her mom and team were “amazing,” Orin said, and showered the animals with love – particularly Samson the pony, who was overjoyed by all of the attention and cookies.
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Brighter Days shared photos of the visit in a post on Facebook, with Eilish grinning cheek-to-cheek with a puppy and getting a nuzzle from Samson.
“This is not the first time we have brought animals to Ball Arena for the artists ahead of their performance, but this was the first time the artist was kind enough and generous enough to let us take pictures and give us permission to post them on social media,” Orin said.
Eilish is set to perform a second sold-out show at Ball Arena on Wednesday night as part of her Hit Me Hard And Soft Tour.
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