2012 Denver Broncos: The Next Man Up

The Denver Broncos won their second consecutive road game, beating the Carolina Panthers 36-14 and improving their 2012 record to 6-3. With San Diego losing today, they also have a 2 game lead in the AFC West. Today’s win was undoubtedly a team effort, since all three phases scored, but the Denver depth is beginning to show and the John Fox mantra "Next man up" appears to be solid reasoning.

Defensive End Elvis Dumervil was having a good day, with 2 Tackles a Sack and a Forced Fumble, his 5th of the season. However, Doom suffered a shoulder injury and barely played into the 2nd Quarter.

The next man up was Robert Ayers and did he ever step up.

Prior to this game, Ayers had 5 Tackles, 4 Hurries and 2 Quarterback Hits for the season. In today's contest, Robert made 5 Tackles, 2 Tackles For Loss, 2 Quarterback Hits, a Sack, 2 Pass deflections and a few Hurries as well.

Any other day, this would surely be enough to get a Game Ball. He will definitely get a Horseshoe from me, but there were so many impact plays against the Panthers, that Robert's game would have been foreshadowed if not talked about here.

For instance. The Denver Broncos Defense brought the house today and it shows on one of the most important stat lines. The Carolina Panthers went 0-12 on 3rd down conversions.

The Defense also held the Panthers to 250 total yards and 3.9 yards per play.

There was one more player who was the next man up. He's been there for a couple weeks though. Tony Carter had a heckuva game and joined Chris Harris and Tracy Porter, the man he's been filling in for, with a pick 6 of his own. Three of the 10 Bronco Interceptions have resulted in immediate Touchdowns.

It is a testament to John Elway and Matt Russell, seeing so much depth producing for the Broncos this season. Happy days are here again.

Go Broncos!

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