Broncos' blue jerseys return for 49ers game - Horse Tracks

The Denver Broncos will don their all-blue alternate jerseys against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football this week (navy tops and bottoms), a callback to their throwbacks during the Super Bowl years and the catalyst for me asking a very simple question:

Why haven't the Broncos bought back their classic orange uniform, the ones John Elway rocked for most of his career, the ones that helped identify the Orange Crush defense of old, the team's official uni from 1968 through 1996?

Just look at those shining orange jerseys with those beautiful baby blue helmets.

“@Bronco_Mike251: @ChrisHarrisJr #Throwback Haven Moses bro, would look good on you! pic.twitter.com/XE3WYPnxX0” yea these ones

— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) October 14, 2014

Let me know which Broncos alternate jersey you prefer in the comments.

Broncos news and notes

Denver's offense has first world problems. Four offensive linemen were penalized Sunday, Ben Hochman notes, while the fifth, Chris Clark, is Denver's most penalized blocker this season.

Video: John Fox talks about Danny Trevathan's injury. Andrew Mason expects the Broncos to continue to lean on Corey Nelson after his big performance Sunday.

Coach John Fox supported Julius Thomas' loud celebration, calling it genuine emotion in the heat of the moment. "These guys aren't at a desk in an accountant's office," John Fox said, then added, laughing,  "I'm not knocking accountants." Meanwhile, a redditor created this for Julius Thomas, which he appreciated on Twitter.

Speaking of reddit, one takes the time to break down some tape and calm nerves about Manning's arm strength.

"I thought I was going to get skunked for the first time in I don't know how long," Wes Welker said of his one-catch game Sunday, who has caught at least one pass in 47 consecutive games. Maybe he made the leather helmet joke about Manning's age?

Broncos rookies are stepping up, particularly on defense. Bradley Roby gets added praise for accumulating stats on a Von Miller-like and Julius Thomas-like pace Sunday.  Roby is nominated for the NFL Rookie of the Week, his second such nomination.

Aqib Talib and other Broncos defenders are competing with one another to make the game-winning play. I like this.

Peyton Manning jerseys are still selling well. Drew Litton chimes in with his latest Broncs Zoo. Von Miller does more good work with his Von's Vision charity (photos).

Around the NFL

The Cowboys are back on top with a big win over the Seahawks in Seattle, but that's not the only thing that happened Sunday. Here's everything you need to dominate the office water cooler this week.

As far as their competition this week goes, the 49ers just came off a 31-17 win over the Rams that looks a lot like the Broncos' 31-17 win over the Jets. They were a little nicked up following the game with several players having status unknown, including Patrick Willis.

The Jets are still believing in Geno Smith, while CB Dee Milliner and G Brian Winters both go to IR following their loss to Denver.

The Raiders kept things competitive with the Chargers thanks to a serious height advantage between their receivers and San Diego DBs, Grantland writes, an advantage shared by Denver's Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas.

Don't look now, but Raiders rookie Khalil Mack is the top-graded run-stopping linebacker in the NFL, and he's not bad as a pass rusher either.

The Chargers and the Chiefs play this week, a division rivalry San Diego has absolutely owned the past several years. Andy Reid is 13-2 after the bye, but those two losses came in the last two years.

Apparently Aaron Rodgers' fake spike wasn't planned at all.

Have a great Tuesday, friends, and don't forget to take the alt jersey poll.