JL Skinner’s facemask made embattled special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi look good — and got the Broncos an ugly win in the process.
Skinner burst through the line late in the third quarter and blocked AJ Cole’s punt with his helmet, teeing up the Broncos for what ended up being the game-winning field goal in a 10-7 rock-fight victory over the Raiders on Thursday at Empower Field.
It was perhaps the biggest play of the third-year pro’s career, and came in a game where Rizzi moved Skinner from the outside of the line to the inside in order to better capitalize on the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder’s length and physicality.