After speaking out about production starvation last week, Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas got fed on Sunday. In fact, they had a feast
The Broncos star wideouts showed up big, scoring three touchdowns between the two of them, each hauling in spectacular receptions for long scores. When all was said and done, the two had combined for 15 receptions, 217 yards, and three touchdowns.
Many interpreted last week’s comments as criticism of their quarterback but today, as the team had their best offensive output of the season, their assertion that it was more about thinking the offense could do more was vindicated.
“It wasn’t frustration,” explained Thomas, standing next to his partner-in-crime at the podium. “We just know what we are capable of doing on the field. We’re the best that does it with the one-two punch. You can go one-two punch either way. We’re the best in the game that does it, and it showed today.”
On his part, quarterback Trevor Siemian never took it as a slight, rather being glad to have the two as his teammates. As any smart quarterback would.
“It’s huge,” said Siemian of his duo. “I’m leaning on those guys a lot, and not just throwing the football, but leadership they’ve been great. I’m really glad to have those two on my side.”
Head coach Gary Kubiak’s game plan wasn’t altered due to the duo’s quotes in the week. But with a lacking run game he needed his bit time players to come through for him, and they did.
“We want to get them the ball every week,” said Kubiak. “The Bengals are a tough team to throw the ball against, but they really took away the run. We needed to throw the ball to get some points, and those two kids played really well. I’m proud of those two. They work hard. We played well as a team today.”
“We game-planned all week on the double moves,” explained Sanders of the two long touchdowns. “In the first 15 plays, we had three or four double moves. We knew we were going to take our shots, even on Demaryius’ touchdown. That was a double move versus Pacman [Bengals CB Adam Jones]. Those double moves paid off.”
Thomas’ touchdown might have also come on a double move, but unlike Sanders, he was having a down game before his game-breaking 55-yard score.
“Mine was a double move too. It was called against Pacman, but he wasn’t in,” explained No. 88. “I got the chance of one-on-one. I had to make a play. I actually caught the ball at the beginning of the third quarter, and they called it a fumble. I still had it in my head, so I had to go out and make a play for my team, for the offense. It put us in a great position, so I was wondering when Trevor was going to give me a chance. And I took advantage of it. The main thing was to catch the ball first, and he didn’t tackle me, so I just went into the end zone.”
This is what John Elway and the Broncos organization envisioned when they paid the two handsomely with long-term deals. As chemistry with their new quarterback increases, Sanders and Thomas might just get back to being the NFL’s most productive one-two punch.
