While there isn't a lot of positive things to say about a loss for our Denver Broncos, there were some highlights in Week 3. There is also a Game Ball to be given, so let's just see what we can shake out. Needless to say, there won't be any candidates from the Offense this week. The Defense and Special Teams had better games collectively, so they will get the attention today. If you are ready, then jump!
Let's start with the Special Teams first.
Kicker Matt Prater sent all three of his kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks and made both Extra Point attempts. Stellar? Perhaps not, but not giving a dangerous return man in Marc Mariani a chance to do anything to help the Titans field position isn't small potatoes either. Prater makes it look easy.
Punter Britton Colquitt hit 5 punts for a 45.0 average and four of those were placed Inside the 20 yard line including a 62-yarder down to the Tennessee 5-yard line. It doesn't get much better for a Punter and Denver has a very good one. Colquitt has shown improvement from last season.
The Punt Coverage Unit held the aforementioned Marc Mariani to a 5-yard return average on 4 returns and a long of 12 yards. Those are excellent results and also show improvement from the previous year. Coach Jeff Rodgers has earned a week's pay.
Returner Quan Cosby looks like a very good Free Agent pickup just by virtue of the 30-yard punt return he had in the 1st Quarter that set up the Broncos first touchdown. Cosby finished with 3 punt returns and a 15.0 yard average. He also returned a kickoff 19 yards, but that first return was something that put some excitement in the fanbase. Kudos to Quan and the scouting department.
Now for the Defense.
DE Derrick Harvey recovered the Fumble that Von Miller forced in the 3rd Quarter, but did not contribute any Tackles. More on that play in a minute.
DE Robert Ayers had 2 Tackles and recovered the Fumble that Rahim Moore caused by his hit on Kenny Britt. The Titans Wide Receiver ended up with a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee and will be out for the season. I hope Britt returns to full health and Rahim doesn't get a Bill from the league office.
CB Jonathan Wilhite was one of the leading tacklers for the Broncos with 6 unassisted Tackles. He also had a Sack in the 1st Quarter that forced the Titans to punt, which led to Quan Cosby's 30-yard return and the Broncos first score. The 4th year man has been a pleasant surprise as another late addition to the team. Willhite shares the team lead in Sacks.
LB Wesley Woodyard was the other leading tackler in Week 3 with 6 Tackles and 3 Assists. WW is having a great season so far and it is nice to see him having success.
LB Joe Mays ended up with 5 Tackles and 2 Assists for a solid outing.
The Broncos biggest defensive play of the game belonged to rookie LB Von Miller. In the 3rd Quarter, he nabbed Tennessee quarterback Matt Hasselbeck for a Sack and forcing a fumble that Derrick Harvey pounced on. That gave Denver the ball at the Titans 13 yard line, all the momentum and set up what should have been the Broncos 3rd touchdown.
Punter Britton Colquitt hit 5 punts for a 45.0 average and four of those were placed Inside the 20 yard line including a 62-yarder down to the Tennessee 5-yard line. It doesn't get much better for a Punter and Denver has a very good one. Colquitt has shown improvement from last season.
The Punt Coverage Unit held the aforementioned Marc Mariani to a 5-yard return average on 4 returns and a long of 12 yards. Those are excellent results and also show improvement from the previous year. Coach Jeff Rodgers has earned a week's pay.
Returner Quan Cosby looks like a very good Free Agent pickup just by virtue of the 30-yard punt return he had in the 1st Quarter that set up the Broncos first touchdown. Cosby finished with 3 punt returns and a 15.0 yard average. He also returned a kickoff 19 yards, but that first return was something that put some excitement in the fanbase. Kudos to Quan and the scouting department.
Now for the Defense.
DE Derrick Harvey recovered the Fumble that Von Miller forced in the 3rd Quarter, but did not contribute any Tackles. More on that play in a minute.
DE Robert Ayers had 2 Tackles and recovered the Fumble that Rahim Moore caused by his hit on Kenny Britt. The Titans Wide Receiver ended up with a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee and will be out for the season. I hope Britt returns to full health and Rahim doesn't get a Bill from the league office.
CB Jonathan Wilhite was one of the leading tacklers for the Broncos with 6 unassisted Tackles. He also had a Sack in the 1st Quarter that forced the Titans to punt, which led to Quan Cosby's 30-yard return and the Broncos first score. The 4th year man has been a pleasant surprise as another late addition to the team. Willhite shares the team lead in Sacks.
LB Wesley Woodyard was the other leading tackler in Week 3 with 6 Tackles and 3 Assists. WW is having a great season so far and it is nice to see him having success.
LB Joe Mays ended up with 5 Tackles and 2 Assists for a solid outing.
The Broncos biggest defensive play of the game belonged to rookie LB Von Miller. In the 3rd Quarter, he nabbed Tennessee quarterback Matt Hasselbeck for a Sack and forcing a fumble that Derrick Harvey pounced on. That gave Denver the ball at the Titans 13 yard line, all the momentum and set up what should have been the Broncos 3rd touchdown.
For the game, Von Miller finished with 3 Tackles, one Assist, one Sack and one Forced Fumble. This week, the Game Ball goes to Von Miller.
Go Broncos!