It wasn’t just the turnovers and the injuries and the shaky defense. That wasn’t all that beat the Broncos on Sunday.
Jay Cutler’s go-to guy was gone, too.
No, not Eddie Royal or Brandon Marshall. We’re talking about Brandon Stokley, who has emerged as Cutler’s favorite receiver on third down.
Even with Stokley having missed a big chunk of the Jacksonville game with a concussion, he leads the team with eight catches on third down. Marshall has five and Royal four.
Yes, their scoring average has dipped in the past three weeks, but don’t be swayed. When the Broncos are healthy, their passing game is among the best in the business.
When they’re healthy.
Having lost to the Jaguars, they’re staring at the possibility of their first losing streak. They need Stokley healthy. Badly. And it wouldn’t be an altogether bad idea to have Tony Scheffler and Royal return, too.
Follow Jim Armstrong’s sports updates on The Jimmy Page morning and afternoon Monday-Friday. And read his columns on Sundays at .
He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
