A Bronco loss means there won't be any Game Balls doled out this week, but in keeping with the rather new tradition of this series, I will be handing out Horseshoes to the achievers from the Offense, Defense and Special Teams Units. A -3 Turnover differential will get you beat Every Given Sunday and the Broncos needed a mistake-free effort to have a chance to beat the New England Patriots on Sunday. But they are young and in a rebuilding year. Rebounding from a 4-12 season a year ago into what is currently an 8-6 team tells me that the conditions are favorable for a return to post season runs instead of dwelling with the has-been teams in the land of "Have Nots."
This one is going to be short and sweet as I have one Horseshoe for each of the three Units.
OFFENSE
The Horseshoe on Offense goes to Wide Receiver Demaryius Thomas. Thomas caught 7 passes for 116 yards after being targeted a team-high 13 times on Sunday. More importantly, he didn't drop one ball. Five of Bay Bay's seven receptions made a 1st down. His long of the day was a 39-yard catch on the sideline with 9:39 left in the 4th Quarter. Two plays later, Broncos Quarterback Tim Tebow scored on a 2 yard run. That was the last time Denver got into the End Zone on Sunday.
Rob Gronkowski was held without a catch because of penalties when Harris drew his assignment. But Chris did make a play in the 4th Quarter on the Tight End. At the 8:10 mark, Gronkowski is wide open, takes the short pass over the middle from Tom Brady and takes off. Harris ran him down, but the play went for 38 yards. This was not Harris' responsibility, there was a break down in coverage and Gronkowski was unaccounted for.
Harris allowed Tiguan Underwood's only catch of the day, for 13 yards and Wes Welker caught 3 passes for 36 yards.
Harris' totals this season, are 61 Tackles, 5 Pass Break Ups and one Interception.
Britton has made 85 punts this season for a gross average of 47.9 and a Net of 41.7 yards. His longest punt this year is a 66-yarder. Colquitt has placed 27 punts Inside the 20 yard line and has forced 24 Fair Catches. A mere 6 punts have gone for a touchback and the coverage Unit has downed 9 punts and helped his Net average by holding the opposing Punt Returners to a 9.31 average on 44 Returns.
That concludes this weeks Horseshoes. It's time to prepare for the Buffalo Bills.