Denver, CO
Here’s How Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto Could Win the NFL Sack Title
Denver Broncos rush linebacker Nik Bonitto has been an absolute nightmare for opposing offensive tackles throughout the 2024 season. He’s bucked his pre-draft label as a designated pass rusher who doesn’t hold up in run defense, growing into a full-time starter.
Through 13 games, Bonitto has totaled 11 sacks and is within striking distance of seizing the sack title. Currently, he’s tied for second place with the Cleveland Browns reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, with the Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson leading the league with 12.5.
With only four games left in the regular season, Bonitto is in prime position to steal the show and become the first Bronco to secure the sack title since Elvis Dumervil in 2009. That’s right. As great as he was, Von Miller never won the sack title.
The Broncos face the Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers, Bengals, and Kansas City Chiefs in their final four games. In sacks allowed, these opponents rank seventh, 23rd, 16th, and 20th, respectively.
While the Colts surrendered the fewest QB takedowns, their starting right tackle, Braden Smith, was ruled out of Week 15’s game. This means Bonitto can take advantage of rookie Matt Goncalves, who was called up from the practice squad. With his insane speed, Bonitto likely finishes the game with two sacks on Anthony Richardson, who has struggled mightily in his second season.
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The Chargers will be Bonitto’s toughest test, as both offensive tackles are stone walls. The duo of Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater have only allowed a combined eight sacks this season, one of which was to Bonitto. If he wants to take down Justin Herbert, Bonitto will have to be quick off the snap, which he’s very capable of.
The Chargers’ lack of weapons may give him a few extra seconds to hunt down Herbert, as he’ll have to hold the ball just a few ticks longer. Next Thursday will be a tall task, but Bonitto won’t shirk from the challenge.
The Bengals’ starting tackle, Orlando Brown Jr., has been banged up this season and is out this week with a fibula injury, and the rookie Amarius Mims is opposite him. Brown has missed four games already this year with knee and fibula injuries, and it’s hard to see him being 100% come the Broncos matchup. Mims has been solid, but a veteran on a hot streak like Bonitto can give him a handful of “Welcome to the NFL” moments.
The matchup with the Chiefs could vary depending on whether they decide to play their starters. The way things are looking, the Chiefs will have the first seed locked up in short order, meaning there’s a good chance they’ll sit starters for the last game of the season against the Broncos.
Either way, Bonitto will be hungry to finish the season strong, especially against a bitter rival. So, whether Patrick Mahomes or Carson Wentz starts, Bonitto is poised to get his against Kansas City, a team dealing with injuries at left tackle all season.
Bonitto has dramatically exceeded expectations in 2024, securing at least one sack in 10 of his 13 games and becoming the Broncos’ first double-digit sack artist since Miller and Bradley Chubb in 2018. Bonitto is only 1.5 sacks behind Hendrickson, and with four games left, he’ll have the chance to catch a second wind and sprint to the finish line, securing the 2024 sack title.
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Denver, CO
Things To Do In And Around Denver This Weekend – 12/17-12/21 – 303 Magazine
Where: Fight Club – 1959 16th St Mall Denver
Cost: Price varies
The Lowdown:
Guests have the option of $39 bottomless flatbreads, which includes the price of their oche reservation for Social Darts®. The bottomless flatbread menu features Smoked Salmon Flatbread, Four Cheese Flatbread, Breakfast Flatbread, or Garden Vegetable Flatbread. Guests can also order off the á la carte menu, which includes a fresh-cut fruit plate, breakfast sliders,, avocado toast, and Flight Club’s famous churros.
Denver, CO
Denver airport delays, crashes, broken windows, downed power lines: What to know about Colorado’s windy Wednesday
Hurricane-force winds in Colorado on Wednesday had a major impact across the Denver metro area, Front Range, and foothills. It’s a First Alert Weather Day because of the dangerous conditions.
Gusts of over 100 mph — equivalent to a category 2 hurricane — were reported in some parts of the Front Range, and over 100,000 people were without power as of 7 p.m. On Berthoud Pass, between Empire and Winter Park, wind gusts reached at least 102 mph. They reached 97 mph at Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge in Boulder County, 96 mph in Marshall, and 93 mph in West Arvada.
Several highways were closed, Denver International Airport saw dozens of delays, power lines and other property damage were reported, schools were closed, Denver’s holiday events were canceled, and thousands of homes and businesses were without power after Xcel’s Public Safety Power Shutoff and unplanned outages.
Power shutoff
Xcel Energy was implementing what it calls a Public Safety Shutoff, for only the second time ever in Colorado. An estimated 50,000 people across the Front Range were impacted, mostly in Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties.
Restoration for some areas was expected to start around 6 p.m. Wednesday, but many customers told CBS News Colorado that Xcel told them it could be up to three days before their power is restored.
As a result, the Colorado Division of Emergency Management opened charging centers, shelters, and resource centers in the impacted areas.
Xcel said it shut off the power in these areas because of the combination of wind speeds and dry conditions that increase the chance of wildfires.
Once conditions improve, Xcel Energy Colorado President Robert Kenney said crews will begin inspecting lines to determine when power can be restored.
“Once the wind event stops, that does not mean your power will be immediately restored,” he said. “We have several hundred crew members that are already being pre-positioned, that are on standby, so that when the wind event does end, they will be able to immediately begin inspecting the lines. They have to visually inspect the lines for damage before restoring the power.”
Delayed flights
The Federal Aviation Administration called for a ground delay at Denver International Airport from 5 through 8 p.m., although that’s subject to change, based on evolving weather conditions.
As of about 6:30 p.m., 66 flights were delayed, and one was canceled.
Wind gusts were recorded at around 40 mph at the airport around 5 p.m.
School closures
Several school districts — including Jefferson County, Colorado’s second-largest — closed schools, and many also canceled after-school activities.
The University of Colorado cancelled classes, but the Buffs’ basketball game against Portland State is continuing, although fans are not allowed to attend.
Highway closures
Several highways in the foothills near Boulder, as well as in Northern Colorado up to the Wyoming state line, were closed. At least one crash also closed the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 on the Eastern Plains.
Those planned closures included:
- Highway 93 between Boulder and Arvada
- Highway 36 between Boulder and Lyons
- Highway 128 from Superior to Highway 93
- Highway 287 between Ted’s Place and the Wyoming border closed this afternoon, but has since reopened
Damage and other closures
Power lines were reported as having fallen across the Denver metro area, adding to the number of customers without power.
A number of local businesses were also forced to close — some out of caution, others due to a lack of power.
Car and structure windows were also broken by flying debris, like this car in Boulder, whose windows were shattered by small, flying rocks.
Despite losing power around 10 a.m., Ace Hardware in Golden remained open and kept busy, selling generators, flashlights, batteries, and tools and materials to prevent or fix damage.
Some business owners raised concerns about what a days-long outage could mean for their companies, products, and customers.
“We could lose everything,” DeAnn Wieber, owner of the Windy Saddle Cafe in Golden, said. “We could lose all our food, the time that it took to prepare everything, and we just don’t know. And there’s are a lot of businesses going through the same thing.”
Denver, CO
Canceled due to high winds: Wednesday’s drone show, holiday tree, Christkindlmarket
Downtown’s Mile High Drone Show, the Denver Christkindlmarket and access to the Mile High Tree have been canceled for Wednesday, Dec. 17, due to high winds, said producers at Visit Denver.
The city’s tourism arm on Wednesday morning decided to cancel the shows and outdoor holiday market for this evening “due to weather conditions,” as well as cut off access to the 110-foot LED icon known as the Mile High Tree, through which visitors can typically walk and snap selfies.
Denver is forecasted to endure wind gusts of up to 50 mph on Dec. 17, with gusts of up to 75 to 80mph possible in higher elevations. High winds, low humidity and the possibility of wildfire led Xcel Energy to cut power to more than 100,000 Front Range residents by Wednesday morning. Xcel Energy also sponsors the Mile High Tree.
Denver Christkindlmarket is scheduled to run through Dec. 23 at the Auraria Campus.
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