2021 NFL Power Rankings Week 13: Cowboys continue to slide, Packers bounce back
By Randy Gurzi
Previous: 21st. Denver Broncos. 14. team. 45. .
There was a bit of a scare for the Denver Broncos when Teddy Bridgewater had to leave the game against the Los Angeles Chargers with a knee injury. With the Broncos up 14-0, Lock gave some hope to the Chargers when he had a three-and-out and then threw a pick the very next series.
That led to the first touchdown of the game for Los Angeles, but it wound up being their only score until garbage time. Not only did the defense continue to hold off Justin Herbert and the high-flying Chargers, but Bridgewater came back as well and helped put the game away.
He was calm and efficient as he always is but also deferred to his running backs. Melvin Gordon was strong in this one and Javonte Williams was dangerous on the ground and through the air. Williams also ran in a touchdown, as did Bridgewater.
Even with all of that, L.A. was still clinging to hope late as they were moving the ball while trailing 21-7. But then, Austin Ekeler had a pass go off his fingertips and Patrick Surtain was able to grab the ball and run it back for six. It was Surtain’s second interception of the game and from there, the Broncos were only concerned about killing the clock.
The win moved them to 6-5 in a suddenly crowded AFC West where that happens to be the record for every team other than the Chiefs who are at 7-4.