Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) drops the ball as he is hit by Denver Broncos linebacker Shaquil Barrett (48). Barrett recovered the resulting fumble at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, on Oct. 18, 2015. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)
The best and worst from the Broncos’ 26-23 overtime win over the Browns in Week 6 action on Sunday…
Shaquil Barrett’s career game is perfect time. Shaquil Barrett wasn’t hesitant in his first career start. He mauled Browns QB Josh McCown on a key strip sack. Barrett also had nine tackles, including two for loss in place of DeMarcus Ware and Shane Ray.
No Fly Zone. Safety T.J. Ward was asked who would make the big play this week. He said “put the names in the hat.” It was Aqib Talib, who , the Broncos’ fourth defensive touchdown of the year.
Runnin’ Ronnie. There weren’t many positives about the Broncos offense, but Ronnie Hillman wasn’t the problem. He showed the speed burst Denver had been missing from its run game with 20 carries for 111 yards.
Interceptions. Three interceptions is unacceptable. Every one of Peyton Manning’s picks were either poor throws or forced into coverage. Manning has an NFL-leading 10 interceptions through six games.
Be smart. Penalties have been an Achilles’ heel for the Broncos’ defense all season. It appeared it would cost them the game after a Derek Wolfe roughing-the-passer call moved the Browns into the red zone. The Broncos had three personal fouls called against them.
Concentration. As talented as he is, Demaryius Thomas often catches a case of the drops. He did again Sunday dropping two key passes in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Grades
Offense: C
It took the Broncos more than eight quarters and 26 possessions to score their first offensive touchdown since Week 4. After throwing two interceptions, Peyton Manning connected with Emmanuel Sanders for a 75-yard touchdown pass with 8:02 remaining in the fourth quarter to reclaim a 23-20 lead. But flashes of brilliance were tarnished by missed targets, dropped passes by Demaryius Thomas and another interception from Manning, in overtime.
Defense: A-
The Broncos extended their season-long streak of not allowing a point in the first quarter, becoming the first team in five years (Jets, 2010) to do so. Aqib Talib returned an interception 63 yards for a touchdown, Shaquil Barrett made a strip-sack and fumble recovery, David Bruton made an interception, and the defense took down Josh McCown twice in overtime. The defense provided the offense plenty of chances to capitalize.
Special Teams: A-
Brandon McManus netted four field goals. The last sealed a 26-23 Broncos victory in overtime. But he missed for the first time this season on a 51-yard attempt in the second. Bennie Fowler was penalized for a late hit on fair catch in the third. A short punt by Britton Colquitt put the Browns on their 40-yard line with the game tied and only about a minute left in regulation.
Coaching: B
Coach Gary Kubiak went for it on a fourth-and-4 in the first quarter, and Manning connected with Demaryius Thomas for a first down. But the offense failed to convert in the red zone, tight end Owen Daniels didn’t make a catch until overtime and Manning threw three interceptions. But the Broncos are 6-0 entering a bye week.
Game balls
Emmanuel Sanders. A 75-yard touchdown catch ended the Broncos’ TD drought at 26 possessions and put them back on top with 8:02 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Brandon McManus. His first field goal tied Matt Prater for the second-most in a row to start a season (13) in Broncos history. His last, a 34-yarder, sealed the victory in overtime.
