DENVER -- At long last, the Denver Broncos found a winning formula.
Trevor Siemian led five scoring drives, including one ending in a 20-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas, Denver's defense put on a forceful show and the Broncos snapped their longest losing streak in 50 years by beating the New York Jets 23-0 Sunday.
Brandon McManus kicked field goals of 31, 53 and 40 yards and fullback Andy Janovich had a 1-yard touchdown run, helping the Broncos (4-9) end an eight-game losing streak. The skid was their longest since a nine-game losing streak in 1967.
"You see how when our offense is playing at such a high level in a game like that, our defense is able to cut it loose," Broncos linebacker Shane Ray said. "We can rush the passer and we can play our coverages and do what we do and hold teams to zero points. It goes hand in hand. It's the formula we've been searching for. Unfortunately, it's happened kind of late, but it's something we can build off of as a team."
Still, the relief over the end of the losing streak was enough to lift some of the edge over Denver's quick turnaround, in which the Broncos travel to Indianapolis for a Thursday night game against the Colts.
"I think you hear a lot of guys upset about Thursday games, but in our case this is perfect," Siemian said. "Our first win -- it feels like 100 years -- and we get to hopefully carry some momentum into Thursday. I think it sets up pretty nicely for us."
The Jets (5-8) went virtually nowhere on offense and lost quarterback Josh McCown, who was shaken up for the second time in the game when he took a hit from Ray as he released a pass.
McCown left the game under his own power and headed to the locker room for further examination with 2:54 remaining in the third quarter. After the game, Jets head coach Todd Bowles said McCown had suffered a broken hand and his status for next week's game against New Orleans was uncertain.
"We've got a couple more tests to run," Bowles said. "I don't know for sure. We'll see."
McCown, who was in the midst of his best year as a pro and had taken every offensive snap for the Jets this season, said he would do what he could to try to play.
"I want to finish with these guys and if I can be out there, I would love to be out there," McCown said.
Backup Bryce Petty replaced McCown, but also could make little headway against the Broncos' resurgent defense.
Petty also had come in for two plays earlier in the game when McCown was hit simultaneously by two defenders at the end of an 8-yard scramble.
Bowles said if McCown can't go next week, Petty would get the start.
McCown completed 6-of-12 passes for 46 yards before being sidelined and accounted for both of the Jets' turnovers with a fumble and an interception. Siemian finished 19 of 31 for 200 yards passing and helped the Broncos dominate time of possession.
"It feels good. I just wish it was Week 5," Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders said. "At the end of the day, I'm going to take this win and definitely enjoy this one."
Leading by 13, the Broncos extended their advantage with Siemian leading a 68-yard drive that Janovich finished with a third-down plunge from 1 yard out for a touchdown.
McManus added his third field goal early in the fourth quarter for an additional cushion.
The Jets were limited to 100 yards in total offense.
"They had a good game plan," Bowles said. "They outcoached us. They outplayed us. They outhit us and they beat us in every phase."
The Jets set the tone for a futile offensive performance early on. Their first four possessions ended in a fumble, interception and two punts as the Broncos went in front 13-0 at the half.
Denver sandwiched two field goals around a missed 29-yarder from McManus and capitalized on a Jets turnover for its first touchdown. Siemian tossed a 20-yard strike to Thomas, who grabbed the ball in the end zone in front of cornerback Morris Claiborne.
"I wish we could have got to it more, to be honest with you. It was a heck of a catch," Siemian said.
The Broncos' defense set up the possession when linebacker Brandon Marshall sacked McCown, forcing a fumble that was recovered at the Jets 20-yard line by defensive lineman Adam Gotsis.
McCown was shaken up early in the second quarter when he was sandwiched between defenders. He was replaced for two plays by Petty and threw an interception on his first play back with the Jets in the midst of a promising drive. Safety Darian Stewart made the interception, cutting in front of the intended receiver Robby Anderson along the sideline to make the play.
NOTES: Broncos S Justin Simmons left in the first quarter with an ankle injury and did not return. ... Jets LS Thomas Hennessy was shaken up covering a first-quarter punt. He did not return after it was determined he had suffered a head injury and was replaced by TE Eric Tomlinson. ... WR Demaryius Thomas caught his 56th career touchdown pass, snapping a tie with Hall of Fame TE Shannon Sharpe for second on Denver's all-time list. ... The Jets lost RB Elijah McGuire with an ankle injury in the first quarter. ... It was Denver's 18th all-time shutout and first in 12 seasons.
No comments:
Post a Comment