CLEVELAND — One of Peyton Manning’s top targets didn’t come away from Sunday’s victory unscathed.
Emmanuel Sanders injured his shoulder diving to make a 38-yard, one-handed catch that was ruled incomplete on review with 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Sanders played through the injury for the early part of the overtime period, but he left again.
Sanders finished with four receptions for 109 yards and a 75-yard touchdown catch, to go along with two punt returns for 19 yards.
Aqib Talib takes over.
Just as he did at Kansas City in Week 2, Aqib Talib came up with another key interception return for a touchdown in the Broncos’ victory.
The cornerback ran back an interception 63 yards to put the Broncos ahead 10-0 before halftime. The touchdown was the defense’s fourth of the season and Talib’s fourth since signing with the Broncos.
It also propelled Talib past Asante Samuel for most interceptions by a cornerback (30) since 2008.
Alive and kicking.
Brandon McManus presents a strong case as the most valuable player of the Broncos’ offense. But even his perfect season had limits. After converting his first 13 field-goal attempts, McManus missed a 51-yarder — it was 5 yards wide left — in the second quarter. Jason Elam owns the Broncos’ longest streak of made field goals to open the season at 18, set in 1998. McManus has made 16 of 17 attempts, including four of five from at least 50 yards.
“I missed that one today by maybe two footballs. I thought it was in. But the wind was tricky. It was moving the ball from upright to upright in warmups,” McManus said.
Corey Nelson’s knee.
Linebacker Corey Nelson felt confident his knee injury wouldn’t keep him out long. Unlike Shane Ray, whose right knee was in a brace with a possible medial collateral ligament injury, Nelson walked out of the locker room fine.
“I know pain in my body. I have had broken bones, been hurt. I don’t think this will keep me out more than a week,” Nelson said.
Footnotes.
Tight end Owen Daniels walked to the bus with ice on his right shoulder. “It’s nothing. Just the usual,” Daniels said. … Left guard Evan Mathis joined the Broncos believing they gave him the best chance to win a Super Bowl. He didn’t practice last week but impressed the training staff enough with a pregame workout to start. As part of incentives in his contract, Mathis earns $46,875 each time he’s on the 46-man game-day roster. Mathis was spelled by rookie Max Garcia in the second and third quarters, but finished the game. … Peyton Manning is 7-0 against Cleveland in his career. … Receiver Bennie Fowler (special teams), center Matt Paradis (offense) and inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (defense) were game-day captains for the Broncos.
