ESPN
Last week: 28
Since 1980, only six teams have made the playoffs after starting the season 0-3, the record the Broncos were sitting on until they beat the equally struggling Jets on Thursday night. The schedule doesn't do them any favors, with a contest at New England on Sunday, two tilts against the Chiefs and a game apiece versus the Bills and Saints.
Dan Hanzus, NFL.com
Last week: 29
Vic Fangio's defense was more aggressive on Thursday night, and it paid off against the Jets. Denver entered Week 4 with one of the lowest blitz rates in the league, but Fangio repeatedly sent extra rushers at Sam Darnold, leading to six sacks and 10 QB hits in a 37-28 win at MetLife Stadium. Will the Broncos deploy a similar approach going forward?
Nate Davis, USA Today
Last week: 30
More impressive? OLB Bradley Chubb's 2½ sacks last Thursday, or Brett Rypien's prowess as a blocking QB (an underappreciated skill set)?
Bleacher Report
Last week: 30
[T]hanks to a career day from young wide receiver Tim Patrick (6/113/1) and 118 total yards and two touchdowns from running back Melvin Gordon III, the Broncos tasted victory for the first time this season.
Take a look at some of our favorite photos from the Broncos' win over the Jets in Week 4.
Alexander Johnson stretches during pregame warmups before the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Melvin Gordon III poses for a photo during pregame warmups before the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Diontae Spencer dances during pregame warmups before the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
KJ Hamler and Diontae Spencer get amped up during pregame warmups before the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Kareem Jackson flexes during pregame warmups before the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Diontae Spencer leads the huddle during the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 01, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Melvin Gordon III gives a speech in the team huddle during pregame warmups before the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Brett Rypien smiles as he exits the team huddle during pregame warmups before the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Malik Reed shrugs and smiles during pregame warmups before the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Diontae Spencer dances during pregame warmups before the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Garett Bolles gives a passionate speech in the team huddle during pregame warmups before the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Alexander Johnson poses for a photo as he walks to the locker room during pregame warmups before the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Alexander Johnson walks out of the tunnel before the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock smiles as he watches pregame warmups before the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos nose tackle Mike Purcell (98) reacts after a tackle during the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 01, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Jerry Jeudy reacts on the sideline after scoring his first career touchdown during the first half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) celebrates after catching his first NFL touchdown during the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 01, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) celebrates with wide receiver KJ Hamler (13) after catching his first NFL touchdown during the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 01, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) celebrates with offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) after catching his first NFL touchdown during the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 01, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) celebrates with running back Melvin Gordon III (25) after catching his first NFL touchdown during the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 01, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Jerry Jeudy and Melvin Gordon III celebrate Jeudy's first career touchdown with a dance during the first half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Jerry Jeudy and Brett Rypien congratulate one another on their first career touchdowns during the first half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Jerry Jeudy and Brett Rypien congratulate one another on their first career touchdowns during the first half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
DeShawn Williams during the first half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Bradley Chubb dances after recording a sack during the first half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Bradley Chubb dances after recording a sack during the first half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Tim Patrick drops the ball after making a catch for a first down during the first half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Garett Bolles reacts after running back Melvin Gordon III (25) scores a touchdown during the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 01, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Brett Rypien congratulates Melvin Gordon III on his touchdown during the first half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur congratulates Melvin Gordon III on his touchdown during the first half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Melvin Gordon III smiles as he talks to Justin Simmons on the sideline after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
De'Vante Bausby reacts after breaking up a pass during the first half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick (81) reacts after catching a tochdown pass during the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 01, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick (81) reacts with running back Royce Freeman (28) after catching a tochdown pass during the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 01, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick (81) reacts after catching a tochdown pass during the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 01, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Tim Patrick celebrates his touchdown reception with Jake Butt, Garett Bolles and Graham Glasgow during the second half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons signals for an incomplete pass during the second half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Bryce Callahan signals for an incomplete pass after breaking up a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Braxton Berrios (10) during the second half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell (47) reacts after sacking New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 01, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Josey Jewell during the second half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Mike Purcell celebrates Brandon McManus's made field goal during the second half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Bradley Chubb celebrates after his sack of New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the second half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Bradley Chubb reacts after bringing New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) for a sack during the second half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Malik Reed congratulates Bradley Chubb on his sack during the second half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Melvin Gordon III reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Dalton Risner congratulates Melvin Gordon III by lifting him in the air, as teammates Tim Patrick and Garett Bolles add their encouragement too, after Gordon scored a touchdown during the second half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III (25) celebrates with offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) scoring a touchdown during the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 01, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Melvin Gordon III dances after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Melvin Gordon III smiles as he walks off the field after a 37-28 win in the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
KJ Hamler greets New York Jets placekicker Sam Ficken (9) after the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Bradley Chubb poses for a photo as he jogs off the field after the 37-28 win in the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
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Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports
Last week: 30
Beating the Jets isn't a reason for celebration. But it's better than losing to them. If the Broncos can somehow win at New England next, the schedule gets a little lighter for a while. Maybe they can still get back in the race.
Sports Illustrated
Last week: 30
Not the best spot to have to go into Foxborough in—with the Patriots coming off a loss.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Last week: 28
They found a way to win a game on the road, which is the good news. The bad news is they didn't look good doing so.
Mark Maske, Washington Post
Last week: 25
Second-year QB Brett Rypien's performance Thursday night was wildly uneven but it produced a victory over the Jets. It was only the Jets, sure, but the victories have been tough to come by for the Broncos during Vic Fangio's coaching tenure.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Last week: 30
The Broncos found some offensive life without Drew Lock and Courtland Sutton, but the defense is a frustrating shell of what it could be for Vic Fangio.
