No Aqib Talib? No problem for the “No Fly Zone.” The Denver Broncos secondary still had one of their best days of the season even though they were without (arguably) their best player.
Talib missed Sunday’s 27-19 victory over the San Diego Chargers with a back injury he suffered in a Week 7 win over Houston. Talib was a game-time decision, along with linebacker Brandon Marshall who also didn’t play, but the Denver defense barely missed a beat without them.
The secondary produced three interceptions, including a pick-six by Bradley Roby who was playing in place of Talib. T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart also had interceptions and Lorenzo Doss played extremely well when Kayvon Webster went down with an injury of his own early in the game.
Webster has been battling a hamstring injury for several weeks and left the game in the first half. He was not ruled out, but Doss made several key plays in his place, including tipping the ball to Stewart on his interception and a critical stop on fourth-and-goal late in the fourth quarter.
Talib was on the sideline during the game, helping coach up his teammates. He even “picked off” an out-of-bounds first-quarter pass from Philip Rivers.
The Denver defense did surrender 246 passing yards, just four shy of their season high. It was only the second time this season Denver has allowed more than 200 yards passing. Still, they held Rivers to below 43 percent passing (20 of 47) and forced him into a 48.8 passer rating – by far his worst effort of the year.
When all was said and done, Denver’s safeties and cornerbacks accounted for 31 tackles, seven passes defended, three interceptions and two sacks without Talib.
Despite the outstanding performance in his absence, the Broncos will certainly hope they have Talib back next week. Denver travels to Oakland on Nov. 6. The Raiders put up 498 yards passing in an overtime win against Tampa Bay on Sunday in a win that keeps them tied with Denver for first place in the AFC West.
As always, the team at MHS was busy on Twitter during the game. Here’s what they had to say, along with some of our favorite follows, about how the No Fly Zone stepped up in Talib’s absence…
Things seemend dicey early after Denver lost Kayvon Webster early in the game…
Kayvon Webster has a hamstring injury and is questionable. Like RB, another injury at a position where the Broncos can't afford it.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 30, 2016
Denver allowed yet another touchdown on their opponents’ first possession, raising the alarm even louder…
No Fly Zone needs to regroup after last SD drive. Paging Goose. Paging Iceman. Paging Maverick. Report to @broncos stadium immediately.
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) October 30, 2016
They buckled down on the next drive, though, with Bradley Roby helping force a three-and-out…
Good coverage there by Roby filling in for Talib. #Broncos I don't think people realize how good Roby is.
— Sean Walsh (@seanwalshsports) October 30, 2016
Lorenzo Doss was forced into heavy rotation with Talib and Webster’s absence…
#Broncos Lorenzo Doss on coverage. Had great camp then lost his way in final preseason game. Like to see him rebound w strong outing today
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) October 30, 2016
Webster looked like he wanted to return, but he remained sidelined throughout the rest of the game…
#Broncos CB Kayvon Webster (hamstring) still in pads, but has not returned. Stalking the sideline like a guy whose day is done. Unofficially
— Nick Groke (@nickgroke) October 30, 2016
Roby made the biggest play of the second half, tipping a pass and taking it back 51 yards for a go-ahead score…
https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/792843215862845440
“Coach Talib” might have been the happiest guy in the building as a result…
No one was happier about that play than Talib, sprinting up the sideline in giddiness. A mentor who couldn't be more proud of his protege.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 30, 2016
Denver’s next interception came on a batted ball by Doss, who wasn’t done making big plays on the day…
Huge play by Lorenzo Doss … nice break back to the ball to set up D-Stew for the INT.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 30, 2016
Doss made a great play to try and stop a touchdown, but Travis Benjamin mad a spectacular one-handed catch to trump Doss’ tip…
Lorenzo Doss down after that TD by Travis Benjamin. Wasn't bad coverage by Doss, just a better play by Benjamin.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 30, 2016
The Broncos D had to make one final stop with the Chargers going for a tying touchdown on the 2-yard line and Doss came up with his biggest play of the game…
T.J. Ward with the blitz … Lorenzo Doss with the deflection, working against Hunter Henry. Broncos D makes the stand.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 30, 2016
That came on the heels of three previous stops with the game on the line, despite being without their most-experienced player…
Broncos make four stops on four pass attempts on goal-to-go from the two… WITHOUT Aqib Talib. #NoFlyZone #SDvsDEN
— Casey Light (@lightonhisfeet) October 30, 2016