The Lead
Wide receiver Tim Patrick is putting together an impressive 2021 campaign, with 34 catches for 509 yards and four touchdowns through Week 9. Patrick has quietly emerged as a consistent and reliable target for QB Teddy Bridgewater.
But on Sunday, Patrick put the league on notice, exploding for one of his best games of the season vs. the Cowboys.
"Patrick continued his superb season Sunday at AT&T Stadium," the Denver Post's Kyle Newman wrote, "leading the Broncos with 85 receiving yards on four catches in Denver's 30-16 rout of Dallas."
Patrick's contributions to the Broncos' victory reached far beyond his statistical performance vs. Dallas, as he converted three third-and-long situations into first downs. Patrick was also part of one of the best plays of the game, hauling in a 44-yard touchdown pass from Bridgewater, beating Trevon Diggs, who has seven interceptions this season, on the play.
"Patrick's touchdown catch on a stutter-and-go route early in the second put the Broncos in control 13-0," Newman wrote. "One play after an 11-yard grab on 3-and-10 set Denver up in Dallas territory, Patrick burned NFL interception leader Trevon Diggs on the route. He finished off the highlight play with a diving grab at the goal line."
Patrick's performance and passion were a crucial part of Denver's win on Sunday, as his energy and excitement helped to create momentum with his teammates.
"I love dominating and making plays and that's what we did, and everybody fed off it," Patrick said. "[Media] were saying we haven't beat a team over .500 — well, they had one loss and we just beat them."
Below the Fold
Rookie running back Javonte Williams has flashed on a weekly basis since the start of the season, with a new explosive play in almost every game. And againstDallas in Week 9, Williams finally broke free for his first career 100-yard game, racking up 111 yards on 17 rushes while padding his league-leading forced missed tackle rate.
"The rookie from UNC made things happen with the ball in his hands, forcing seven missed tackles and garnering 64 yards after contact," Pro Football Focus' Michael Hull wrote.
Williams' most impressive play of the game was a 30-yard gain in which the rookie rusher showcased his most impressive skills— his angry running style and ability to break tackles, racking up yards after contact.
According to Pro Football Focus,Williams leads the league with a forced missed tackle rate of 37%, with no other NFL rusher above 30%.
Williams is also first in the NFL in missed tackles forced on runs with 35 so far this season, a total higher than that of 19 NFL teams.
