Denver came out of Cleveland Sunday with a 26-23 OT win against the Browns. There are ugly ways to lose and there are ugly ways to win; Sunday’s game was the latter.
The Denver Broncos head into their bye week 6-0 for the seventh time in the history of the franchise, five of the other six times the Broncos made it to the Super Bowl. These Broncos are NOT those Broncos.
Quarterback Peyton Manning had a rough day. Manning threw three interceptions, one being taken to the house by linebacker Karlos Dansby, who ended the day with two picks off Manning. Manning now leads the league with 10 interceptions thrown. “We’re certainly not playing as well as we’d like, but we’re playing well enough to win.” Manning said in a post game interview. “I won’t be going to Vegas for my bye week — not feeling real lucky right now.”
Peyton Manning thought he had Emmanuel Sanders on a crossing route. Karlos Dansby had other ideas. PICK! #DENvsCLE http://t.co/vIuZvbBYXf
— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2015
Despite their poor QB play, this team just finds a way to win. Manning lobbed a pass to WR Emmanuel Sanders for a 75-yard score, their only offensive touchdown of the game.
First throw after Peyton Manning’s Pick 6? Oh, he just finds Emmanuel Sanders for a SEVENTY-FIVE YD TD. #DENvsCLE http://t.co/zi8VTK9Cnc — NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2015
Sanders ended with four receptions for 109-yards and the score. The score was the first in 27 drives for the orange and blue that resulted in a touchdown. Demaryius Thomas had a nice day as well with 10 receptions and 111-yards, but added some costly drops of his own. This was the first Sunday with a decent game from the running backs. The tandem of C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman stacked up a combined 152 yards on the grounds, the most all season. These Broncos need to figure this out, now. They head into a bye next week before the Green Bay Packers come to town, if they play like they did vs Cleveland against Aaron Rodgers, you’re looking a 6-1 team.
STARS OF THE GAME
Shaquil Barrett: This kid is a monster. Barrett had 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a recovery all in the same play.
Brandon McManus: The Broncos kicker had his first miss of the season, but went 2-3, including the 34-yard game winner in OT.
Aqib Talib: Talib had himself another spectacular game. The heart of the backfield picked off Josh McCown and took it 63-yards to the house.
Aqib Talib vs. Josh McCown = Aqib Talib PICK 6. This Broncos D is ferocious. #CLEvsDEN http://t.co/37zef5Rthp
— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2015
PLAY OF THE GAME
Shaquil Barrett’s hat trick of sack, fumble, and recovery. That play set the Broncos up for a Brandon McManus field goal.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Denver Broncos now have the second lowest point differential of a 6-0 team in NFL history. The 1933 Bears had +34; the 2015 Broncos, +37.
Peyton Manning now has 10 interceptions and seven touchdowns on the year. Manning had not had this amount of picks through six games since 1998.
LASTING IMPACT
This team looked bad on offense for most of the outing, but the defense looked stellar yet again. The Leagues number one defense is on a record setting pace and continues to keep them in games. Without the defense, The Broncos are a 1-5 team. Wade Phillips is proving to be the best and most important signing of the offseason.
WHAT’S NEXT
A much needed bye week. This could not have come at a better time for the Broncos. This team is injured, both physically and mentally, a week off will do them wonders.
The Broncos are good, even great at times, but now is the crucial stretch of the season. The Packers in two weeks will beat this team if Manning has another outing like he did Sunday.
