Denver, CO
Denver's Potential Match with this East-West Shrine Bowl QB
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.
3 crazy trade ideas to show what it would take for Broncos to get into top 3 of 2024 NFL Draft. dark. Next. Crazy Draft Trades
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.
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.
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!
Houston Rockets (16-6, third in the Western Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (18-6, second in the Western Conference)
Denver; Monday, 9:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Denver hosts Houston looking to end its four-game home slide.
The Nuggets are 13-5 in conference games. Denver averages 125.5 points while outscoring opponents by 9.6 points per game.
The Rockets are 9-5 in Western Conference play. Houston is fifth in the NBA scoring 120.6 points per game while shooting 48.6%.
The Nuggets’ 13.5 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.8 more made shots on average than the 12.7 per game the Rockets give up. The Rockets average 120.6 points per game, 4.7 more than the 115.9 the Nuggets give up.
The teams meet for the second time this season. In the last meeting on Nov. 22 the Nuggets won 112-109 led by 34 points from Nikola Jokic, while Reed Sheppard scored 27 points for the Rockets.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jokic is averaging 29.5 points, 12.3 rebounds and 10.9 assists for the Nuggets. Hunter Tyson is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Alperen Sengun is averaging 23 points, 9.4 rebounds, seven assists and 1.5 steals for the Rockets. Amen Thompson is averaging 20.0 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 7-3, averaging 126.7 points, 41.4 rebounds, 30.3 assists, 5.8 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 53.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.8 points per game.
Rockets: 7-3, averaging 115.7 points, 47.2 rebounds, 24.8 assists, 9.3 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.0 points.
INJURIES: Nuggets: Christian Braun: out (ankle), Aaron Gordon: out (hamstring), Julian Strawther: day to day (back).
Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Dorian Finney-Smith: out (ankle), Tari Eason: out (oblique).
——
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Copyright © 2025 ESPN Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.
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