Broncos Journal: Mutual admiration between Teddy Bridgewater, Lions coach Dan Campbell

As the Broncos’ organization and their fans mourn the loss of former receiver Demaryius Thomas, the game goes on. Here 10 things about the Broncos and Detroit Lions entering Sunday’s 2:05 p.m. kickoff:

1. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was New Orleans’ backup in 2018-19 when current Detroit coach Dan Campbell was the Saints’ tight ends coach. “Dan is awesome,” Bridgewater said. “His energy is contagious and I’m pretty sure those players in Detroit love playing for him. I was able to spend those two years with him in New Orleans and whenever he stood in front of the team and talked, you’re ready to just storm out of that meeting and punch a guy in the face for no reason.”

2. Campbell has similar respect for Bridgewater. “I think he’s a stud. I think he’s a winner and here’s what stands out about Teddy: He makes everyone around him better. He did that for us (in New Orleans). When he was backing up Drew (Brees), he would pull all of your young skill players out the day before the game, take them out to the turf and go through the whole game plan with them, preparing himself but also helping them develop.”

3. Per my game charting, Bridgewater’s two interceptions last week at Kansas City were his first this year against extra pass rushers. The first interception was a six-man rush vs. six-man protection and the second was a six-man rush vs. seven-man protection. For the year, I have Bridgewater at 69-of-98 passing for 898 yards, eight touchdowns, two interceptions and 12 sacks against five or more rushers.

4. The Chiefs’ only sack, on the Broncos’ opening offensive possession, was timed at 1.72 seconds, the fastest by an opponent this year and it’s not even close. The previous quickest sack was 2.21 seconds by the New York Jets in Week 3.

5. The Broncos’ defense is third in fewest points allowed per game (18.2), but they have allowed 38 first-possession points, which entered Week 14 tied for fourth-most in the NFL. Opponents have five touchdowns and one field goal in 12 games. What gives? “I don’t have a real answer for that, but I can tell you it’s on our mind and we’re always trying to perfect that,” defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said. “We always want to start the game fast and get control of it.”

6. The Broncos have been outscored 54-27 in the first quarter this year and have trailed after 15 minutes in six games and led and were tied in three games apiece.