Demaryius Thomas and Aqib Talib together claim six Pro Bowl (three apiece) and three All-Pro (two for Thomas, one for Talib). Impressive numbers, no doubt, for guys with a combined 14 NFL seasons and counting between them (Talib is in his ninth and Thomas is in his seventh. But considering some other numbers, their combined honors might seem a little low.
Within the first three plays on defense and on Denver’s first play on offense on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thomas and Talib put themselves into categories all their own at their respective positions.
Among active cornerbacks, none have as many interceptions as Aqib Talib since he entered the league in 2008. And with two on Sunday, Talib has already matched his total from 2015 with three for the season.
Broncos CB Aqib Talib posts the 32nd INT of his career, marking the most by an NFL CB since he entered the NFL as a Buc in 2008.
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) October 2, 2016
Thomas, meanwhile not only set himself apart from other NFL wide receivers since 2012 (his third season in the league) with his 48th touchdown catch, he also moved into third place on the Broncos’ all-time receiving list on his next reception.
Broncos WR @DemaryiusT with his 48th TD reception in the last five years (since '12) for the highest total in the NFL during that time.
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) October 2, 2016
With that catch, Demaryius Thomas passed Lionel Taylor (6,872) into third place on Broncos' all-time receiving yards list.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 2, 2016
Other receivers might rack up more yards, and other cornerbacks might yield less completions or yards, but when it comes to making impact plays, Thomas and Talib are the best in the business.
