Broncos 17 – Jaguars 24: Studs and Duds

When the Broncos win, the BT staff gives out game balls… when they lose, as they did Sunday to the Jaguars, we cry ourselves to sleep. And we highlight the good and the bad in our weekly Studs and Duds.

Stud: Brandon Lloyd

Lloyd! Couldn’t get enough of the number one Denver Broncos wide receiver. Brandon Lloyd looked great, hauling in five catches for 117 yards, and almost made Denver fans wonder, “Bey-Bey who?” Where are they going to fit all these guys? Lloyd was handpicked by Kyle Orton and signed by Denver to give Orton some familiarity. He emerged last season in the final two games and has been golden every since. -Ian Henson

Dud: Correll Buckhalter

15 yards rushing (2.5 avg.) and the crucial fumble that turned the tide in the game early. Whereas Knowshon Moreno didn’t show the rust from not playing all pre-season “Buck” had a very bad outing Sunday. -Josh Temple

Stud: D.J. Williams

The Broncos were a mixed bag when it came to tackling Sunday, but one linebacker was consistent in pursuit, coverage, and gap discipline, and that was captain D.J. Williams. It was clearly part of the gameplan to have Williams cover Maurice Jones-Drew in the passing game, and DJ didn’t let MJD out of his sights, holding him to three catches for 15 yards. Williams finished with 11 tackles, more than twice any other Bronco, and showed he can be a foundation on which the linebackers can rely in this year of transition. –Kyle

Dud: Secondary

Anyone who played coverage. Isn’t Denver supposed to have one of best secondaries is the NFL? Champ Bailey just lost some leverage on his extension by getting burned by Mike Thomas on several occasions. The Jaguars didn’t pass often, but when they did they made it count, leaving QB David Garrard to a career-high passer rating. Denver just stood there and watched. –Mr. East

Dud: Ryan McBean

McBean’s two 15-yard facemask penalties on the Jaguars’ game-winning fourth quarter drive effectively made him an agent for the enemy. Those penalties represented over one-third of the yards (30 of 83) the Jaguars needed to seal the game. As McDaniels would say, your job is to prevent the movement of the football, not aid it. Do your job. –Kyle

Agree or disagree with our takes? Anyone not make the list who deserves a mention? Your Studs and Duds in the comments.