Derby Steps Up For Broncos Heading Into Week 13
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – With just five weeks remaining in the NFL regular season, divisional leaders are starting to break away from the pack and will hope to clinch a playoff spot, but there are still plenty of teams fighting for highly coveted wild card spots and the Denver Broncos hope to be one of those teams still playing come January.
The Broncos (7-4), who are coming off a tough 30-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime last week, are still well in the hunt for a playoff spot, sitting third in the AFC Western Division, just two games back of Oakland. The Broncos seem to be hitting their stride, winning two of their last three games, and getting some much-needed help at the tight end position from former Razorback A.J. Derby.
Derby turned in his best game since becoming a Bronco last week, pulling in four catches on four targets for 43 yards against the Chiefs and both totals are career highs. Each of his catches also came on crucial third down plays to keep drives alive including one in overtime. Four of Derby’s six catches this year have gone for first downs and seem to have helped him emerge as the Broncos’ top tight end option in the coming weeks.
Derby was 6th round pick in the NFL Draft by the New England Patriots back in 2015, but did not become a tight end until his senior year of college at Arkansas. The Iowa City, Iowa native was a quarterback out of high school, but made the transition to tight end before the 2014 season. Derby started seven games at tight end that year for the Razorbacks, registering 303 yards on 22 catches with three touchdowns.
Derby and the Broncos are on the road this week when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) at EverBank Field. Kickoff is at Noon CT and will be broadcast on CBS.
Now Is the Time for A.J. Derby…
Broncos need a spark at tight end. Now is the time for A.J. Derby
#ProHog to Watch In Week 13
Hunter Henry – TE San Diego Chargers
It’s been the same story just a different week for tight end Hunter Henry. The rookie from Little Rock, Arkansas continues to rack up touchdown catches as he added his fifth for the San Diego Chargers (5-6) last week against Houston in a 21-13 win.
The score was part of a two catch, 20-yard performance, but it was his third straight game with two or more catches and fifth of his last seven games with a score. Henry is the only rookie tight end with five touchdown catches. In fact, his touchdown number is tied with all other rookie tight ends combined and the most by a rookie tight end in the NFL since 2013.
Henry has also been key in getting the first down after the catch. Going into Week 13, Henry has 21 of his 26 catches going for a first down for an 80.8 percent clip, which is the highest among tight ends with 20 or more catches.
Fans can see Henry and the Chargers take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5) on Sunday at 3:25 p.m. on FOX.
#ProHogs Week 13 Schedule
| Date | Time (CT)/TV Network | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| Thu., Dec. 1 | 7:25 p.m./NBC-NFLN | Dallas at Minnesota (Jarius Wright) |
| Sun., Dec. 4 | Noon/CBS | Kansas City (Knile Davis) at Atlanta |
| Sun., Dec. 4 | Noon/FOX | Detroit (Travis Swanson) at New Orleans |
| Sun., Dec. 4 | Noon/FOX | Los Angeles at New England (Trey Flowers) |
| Sun., Dec. 4 | Noon/CBS | Denver (AJ Derby) at Jacksonville (Brandon Allen, Chris Smith) |
| Sun., Dec. 4 | Noon/CBS | Houston at Green Bay (Brett Goode) |
| Sun., Dec. 4 | Noon/FOX | Philadelphia (Jason Peters) at Cincinnati |
| Sun., Dec. 4 | Noon/CBS | Miami at Baltimore (Ryan Mallett) |
| Sun., Dec. 4 | 3:05 p.m./CBS | Buffalo (Jonathan Williams) at Oakland (Denver Kirkland) |
| Sun., Dec. 4 | 3:25 p.m./FOX | New York Giants (Robert Thomas) at Pittsburgh (Cobi Hamilton) |
| Sun., Dec. 4 | 3:25 p.m./FOX | Washington (Martrell Spaight) at Arizona |
| Sun., Dec. 4 | 3:25 p.m./FOX | Tampa Bay at San Diego (Hunter Henry, Darius Philon) |
| Sun., Dec. 4 | 7:30 p.m./NBC | Carolina at Seattle (Alex Collins) |
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