The Nuggets have 20 games left — and the conversation isn’t about seeding anymore, it’s about identity. Are they playing hard enough? Is Nikola Jokic being overworked, underprotected, or both? The crew debates the coaching staff’s adjustments, the non-Jokic minutes problem, and whether Denver is drifting toward the Play-In Tournament instead of contending for another title.
The Avalanche, meanwhile, continue to surge near the top of the NHL standings. But does the Presidents’ Trophy even matter? The guys break down Colorado’s push to finish ahead of Dallas and Minnesota, the flawed NHL playoff format, and whether the Avs should make another aggressive move at the trade deadline. They also discuss Joel Quenneville’s 1,000th career win and the complicated legacy that comes with it.
On the Broncos front, free agency and the draft loom large. Should Denver trade up? Who could be cap casualties worth targeting? And what does Davis Webb taking over play-calling signal about Sean Payton’s willingness to evolve? The conversation shifts into tempo, no-huddle concepts, offensive philosophy, and whether Payton will truly give up control if the offense sputters early.
Plus: George Paton’s contract status, how power is divided inside Dove Valley, and why this offseason could define the Broncos’ next window.
Playoff pressure. Front office politics. Offensive identity shifts. It’s all here on After the Horn.
00:00 – Show open & RedBird Farms partnership
03:16 – Nuggets final 20-game stretch: urgency level
05:45 – Effort questions & Play-In danger
08:54 – Jokic performance dip & defensive adjustments
10:33 – Who protects Jokic? Culture conversation
13:43 – Non-Jokic minutes problem
14:19 – Avalanche surge & Presidents’ Trophy debate
15:40 – Joel Quenneville’s 1,000th win & legacy
19:51 – NHL playoff format frustration
20:12 – Trade deadline targets: Kadri reunion?
21:49 – Broncos free agency outlook
22:50 – NFL Combine discussion & draft positioning
26:02 – Davis Webb taking over play-calling
27:35 – Tempo, vertical passing & preseason tendencies
29:48 – No-huddle philosophy & offensive pace
31:13 – Will Sean Payton truly step back?
38:07 – George Paton’s contract & power structure
44:30 – NFL scheduling history & Broncos early-season trends
52:40 – Media coverage discussion & national story cycles
01:03:15 – Broncos roster-building philosophy revisited
01:10:20 – Final Nuggets & Avs outlook
01:13:52 – Closing remarks ‘After the Horn’ is sponsored in part by American Financing Visit: AmericanFinancing.net/Green NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well-qualified borrowers.
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