Sunday, October 8th is the first time the New York Jets and Denver Broncos will face each other since last October. At the time, Jets’ offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was the head coach in Denver. The Broncos were in the midst of a three-game losing streak at the time. Meanwhile, New York was riding high into Denver with a three-game winning streak. New York claimed the 16-9 victory that day but suffered a far greater loss.
Sensational rookie running back Breece Hall was looking like a future star in his first season with the Jets. But, October 23 will remain etched in Breece’s mind forever. It was on this day that Hall’s rookie season would end after suffering a torn ACL in Empowered Field at Mile High. October 8th marked the first game Breece has played in Denver since he suffered the injury. Along with avenging Sean Payton’s criticism of Nathaniel Hackett during the off-season, it was clear. New York was motivated to leave Colorado with a win.
Breece Hall on returning to where he tore his ACL: pic.twitter.com/ekBwBix8gz
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) October 9, 2023
Jets vs. Broncos Breakdown: Breece Hall’s Redemption
Everyone watching was eager with anticipation to see this game. Both teams have struggled to begin the season. New York witnessing Aaron Rodgers‘s season end only four snaps into his debut has floored Jets fans. Meanwhile, the Broncos were struggling under new head coach Sean Payton, including having one of the worst defenses in the league heading into the game. It would surely result in an aggravating game for both fan bases. The game began with shenanigans, as Denver fumbled the first punt return, resulting in New York regaining possession at the Denver 20-yard line.
New York couldn’t find the end zone but ended the drive with the lead thanks to a 30-yard Greg Zuerlein field goal. Afterward, New York allowed Denver back in the game thanks to a 22-yard Jaleel McLaughlin touchdown. New York managed to stay in the game thanks to a safety after Russell Wilson intentionally grounded inside the end zone. Russell Wilson led Denver on two more drives for field goals to grab the 13-5 lead. Mismanagement inside the red zone cost New York a potential touchdown and Denver closed the first half with a 13-8 lead.
Breece Hall takes over in the second half
Denver regained possession beginning the second half. Robert Saleh’s defense forced Denver to punt and New York began their first drive at their own 28 yard-line. New York needed a spark to finally unlock the offense today. The team struggled to force a good drive after settling only for field goals. Then Zach Wilson gave Breece Hall the ball.
From the 28 yard-line, Hall reminded the NFL world why he was a second-round pick last year. Just under two weeks away from undergoing ACL surgery, Breece Hall took the ball 72 yards to the end zone for the touchdown. It was his first touchdown of the season. The 22-year-old running back gave New York the 15-13 lead just minutes into the third quarter.
72 YARD TOUCHDOWN RUN
BREECE HALL IS BACK BABY 🔥✈️#Jets | #TakeFlight
pic.twitter.com/Xh49HolHst— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) October 8, 2023
New York continued to lean on the running game and allow Zach Wilson to take advantage of what Denver’s secondary would give him. The defense did its part in attacking the trenches and making Russell Wilson’s life miserable. But, Denver wasn’t done yet. The Broncos managed to score on a 75-yard touchdown drive and put the game within 3. New York had possession under 5 minutes left, but an errant pass by Wilson allowed Patrick Surtain to give Denver the ball back. Denver charged one final drive to their own 41. However, Quincy Williams’ sack on Wilson resulted in a fumble recovered by cornerback Bryce Hall, who took it to the house for the touchdown. New York now led 31-21. Denver failed to capitalize on the final drive, and New York held on for the victory.
Redemption for Hall and Hackett
2022 was one of the most difficult years in both Breece Hall and Nathaniel Hackett’s lives. Hall, watching his dream rookie season end with a debilitating injury. Months upon months of rehab, knowing there’s nothing you can do as you watch your team lose. For Hackett, his lifelong dream of being a head coach resulted in one of the worst seasons in Broncos’ franchise history. Winning this game in Denver was big for both these men and the Jets as a whole. The Jets’ offense suffered greatly after Breece got hurt and was a major turning point for the poor second half of the 2022 season.
Everyone wrote off New York after Rodgers’ injury and understandably so. But, it’s easy to see the chip that the Jets developed since then. Hackett has adapted his schemes. The new offensive line is creating opportunities. Zach Wilson has slowly begun maturing into the quarterback fans hoped he would become. This moment can serve as a major turning point for New York if they can carry this momentum into November.
Main Photo: [Vincent Carichetta] – USA Today Sports
