Broncos kick off East Coast road trip with big win that could jumpstart them after rough start

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos' first-ever 10-day Eastern road trip features two early kickoffs and a week's stay at a luxury resort in the Allegheny Mountains where one of the attractions is a massive underground bunker that was meant to serve as an emergency shelter for the U.S. Congress during the Cold War.

Accordingly, they took a bunker mentality with them on the trip that began with a convincing 26-7 thumping of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This after an 0-2 start.

“It gets us rolling in a big way being on the road this next week,” said safety Brandon Jones, who had a 37-yard interception return and a 34-yard fumble return Sunday. “We executed in all three phases and I can't say that we're surprised and we put in the work and we know kind of what we're capable of doing once we're all on the same page. So, it was really just a great team win.”

Instead of flying back to Denver, the Broncos traveled to The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, where coach Sean Payton took the New Orleans Saints for training camp from 2014-16.

They're going through their normal weekly routine ahead of their game against the New York Jets next weekend.

“Yeah, we’re exactly like we’re back in Denver relative to our times," Payton said. "We just don’t deal with the time change now.”

And they'll likely take in some of the 35 retail shops, 20 restaurants and lounges if not the five championship golf courses — and that massive doomsday bunker built seven stories underground in 1962 to house Congress in the event of a nuclear attack on Washington, D.C. It remained top secret for three decades but now is an attraction with daily tours.

This marks just the seventh time since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger that the Broncos have had consecutive games in the Eastern Time Zone with early kickoffs.

Before departing Denver, Payton said he hoped this trip will mirror what the Saints did in 2017, when they started 0-2 before winning at Carolina in Week 3 then flying to London, where the Saints beat the Miami Dolphins to turn around their season.

“There’s a little bit of déjà vu,″ Payton said. “It was kind of like a two-game road trip. In other words, we were going to be gone and not coming back ... and this week sets up a little like that.”

For the first time this season, everything. From Payton's play-calling to the ground game to the passing game. The defense has been stout all season, allowing 15.3 points per game, and the special teams have been outstanding. Finally, the offense caught up.

Although rookie Bo Nix has now gone three games without a touchdown pass, he ran nine times for 47 yards and a score, completed 25 of 36 passes for 216 yards and avoided turnovers for the first time.

The Broncos need a run of good fortune in the health department. After beginning the season with four players on injured reserve — S Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee), LB Drew Sanders (Achilles tendon), CB Damarri Mathis (ankle) and OT Quinn Bailey (ankle) — the Broncos have watched four key contributors go on IR so far this season — OLB Baron Browning (foot), RT Mike McGlinchey (knee), RB Audric Estime (ankle) and S JL Skinner (ankle).

Dondrea Tillman had a pair of sacks in his NFL debut. Brought up from the practice squad with Browning injured, Tillman, who played 20 of Denver's 57 defensive snaps, dropped Baker Mayfield in the third and fourth quarters. Tillman played three years for the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions and signed with the Broncos over the summer. He didn't make the initial 53-man roster but signed on with Denver's practice squad.

“We weren’t going to just let the other three (edge rushers) play 60 snaps or 50 snaps," Payton said. "A guy like that was coming up, he’s got to be playing in the kicking game and then getting snaps on defense. I was pleased with his effort. He’s strong. I’ve mentioned earlier in the week, we’ve seen a lot from him. I was excited to see him take advantage of the opportunity.”

RB1 Javonte Williams struggled again with just 12 yards on five carries and fumbled the ball away once. RB2 Jaleel McLaughlin gained 7 yards on five carries, although he did score a touchdown. So far, Williams is averaging 2.16 yards a carry (24 for 52) and McLaughlin is averaging 2.2 yards (18 for 40).

Tyler Badie, who gained 16 yards on his one carry in Week 2 with Estime sidelined, led Denver with 70 yards on nine carries Sunday. That gives him an 8.6-yard average.

The Broncos placed Browning on injured reserve over the weekend because of the foot injury he suffered in Week 2 against Pittsburgh.

0 — touchdown throws by Nix through tree games.

The Broncos wrap up their 10-day, two-game Eastern swing with a game against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Sunday.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is stopped as he tries to get between Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) and defensive end Zach Allen (99) during the second half of an NFL football game, in Tampa, Fla. on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) scrambles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, in Tampa, Fla. on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Denver Broncos running back Tyler Badie, left, tries to get past Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end William Gholston during the second half of an NFL football game, in Tampa, Fla. on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) celebrates in front of fans as he leaves the field after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFL football game, in Tampa, Fla. on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

John Tortorella had a former hockey coach help him Monday at Philadelphia Flyers training camp — the father of the late John and Matthew Gaudreau, who was an invited guest.

The Flyers tapped their sticks in appreciation of Guy Gaudreau, a former hockey coach at Hollydell Ice Arena and Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey, when he hit the ice to assist with drills during practice. The Flyers shook Gaudreau’s hand at the end of the skate in appreciation and thanked him for helping out.

“He was hesitant at first, and we kind of let him go at his timetable,” Tortorella said. “I think it worked out really well today. I gave him my camp book. We're going to check in next week and see if we can get him out here a couple more times and have him be part of it. I don't want it to be, ‘Just come out here.’ I want him to be part of it. I think it will be therapeutic for him to be around us and run some drills.”

Tortorella said he had never met Gaudreau, a former hockey player and coach who raised his family nearby, until Monday's practice in New Jersey. Tortorella said Gaudreau had an open invitation to return and help the Flyers at any point.

“I never met Johnny and Matt in my travels as coach,” Tortorella told reporters at the Flyers' complex in Voorhees. "But their family's here. Horrific situation going on. He's a coach. He's done some great work with some of the youth out here. I figured it's perfect just to get him in with us.”

Tortorella joked that Gaudreau was giving him a hard time for yelling at players to skate harder during practice.

“A lot of people know him in the organization because of his reputation,” Tortorella said.

Tortorella attended the brothers' funeral last month in a Philadelphia suburb.

“I thought the two wives were so strong in how they handled themselves,” Tortorella said. “No one can imagine. No one can. I’m hoping to get to know the family. I think a number of coaches want to get to know the family, the girls, Matt’s family. It’s just horrible what happened. It’s still pretty fresh. It’s here. It’s with us. Down the street. We just want to be part of it and try and help.”

John Gaudreau's widow, Meredith, wrote on social media how much Tortorella's gesture meant to the family.

“John & Matty would love this. They’re both so proud of their dad, I know this made them smile as they watched down from heaven," she wrote, adding a heart emoji.

John Gaudreau, the Columbus Blue Jackets star, and his brother, Matthew, were killed on Aug. 29 when police said they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while they were riding bicycles on a rural road in South Jersey on the eve of their sister Katie's wedding. The driver who police say struck them is charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.

John Gaudreau, known as “Johnny Hockey,” played 10 full seasons in the league and was set to enter his third with the Blue Jackets after signing a seven-year, $68 million deal in 2022. He played his first eight seasons with the Calgary Flames, a tenure that included becoming one of the sport’s top players and a fan favorite across North America.

“We don't want it to be an everyday story,” Tortorella said. “We just want to help. To be in a locker room, coach to coach, player to coach, guys talking to him, I just hope it helps a little bit.”

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Guy Gaudreau, the father, family and other mourners arrive for a funeral for Columbus Blue Jackets hockey player John Gaudreau Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pa., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The Philadelphia Flyers host Guy Gaudreau, second from right, the father of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, at the team's morning skate, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Voorhees, N.J. (The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)