Bests
Man, oh, Manning. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning had a throwing lane of maybe 18 inches to get a first-quarter pass through a crowd to Willis McGahee that set up Denver’s first TD.
Go Wesley, young man. Broncos LB Wesley Woodyard had a month’s worth of highlights in the first half with a sack, a forced fumble, an interception, a pass defensed and a tackle for loss.
On the move. Against a Saints defense that ranked last in the NFL, Denver already had 265 yards of offense by halftime.
Worsts
Shootout? Not early. Both teams went three-and-out on their first possessions — just as everyone had predicted. (Tongue in cheek.)
Coming up short. Denver appeared to be in terrific position to score a TD just before halftime with a first down at the Saints’ 20. But the Broncos managed only 5 more yards and settled for a field goal.
Costly turnover. Overall, Broncos running back Willis McGahee turned in a strong performance. But his lost fumble in the first quarter set up a Saints touchdown. Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
