The final line on Demaryius Thomas against Detroit was solid, but not exceptional. But Broncos fans have high expectations for their star wideout, who held out until just about the last possible minute before a long-term deal was struck. The big money Thomas is making hasn’t yet translated to big numbers, but it has translated to some big plays at clutch times.
The same held true, for the most part, against Detroit. But those expectations are still hanging large on Thomas.
The three-time Pro Bowler finished the night with nine receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets. The play of the night, for Thomas, was that touchdown reception – which went for 54 yards on a fourth down and one late in the first half. It was a gutsy call and a great play.
But Thomas followed that with a fumble on the opening drive second half and several key drops as the second half unfolded.
When the game mattered most, Peyton Manning turned to Emmanuel Sanders and Owen Daniels to close things out.
As Thomas’ night played out, the team at Mile High Sports, along with the greater Denver media, had plenty to say about the big receiver’s big plays and big expectations.
On the touchdown…
List of DBs that could beat @DemaryiusT on this jump ball:
…#DENvsDEThttp://t.co/MFp7ged33h
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) September 28, 2015
TOUCHDOWN: Thomas wins the jump ball. No help for the CB. Great read by Manning, who knows DT wins that 1-on-1 battle just about every time.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) September 28, 2015
Wow. Manning under throws that big time but DT does his own Megatron impression and bails out the old quarterback. Touchdown Broncos
— Spano (@BrandonSpano) September 28, 2015
Cojones. #Broncos
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) September 28, 2015
WOW!! 4th and 1… jump ball to @DemaryiusT and Peyton hits him.. 45 yards TD!! with 0:05 left in the half… #DENvsDET
— Lionel Bienvenu (@lionelbienvenu) September 28, 2015
What a call! What a pass what a catch. Where did that come from. 14-6 Broncos at the break.
— Rod Mackey (@RodMackeySports) September 28, 2015
On the fumble…
When reaching for a 1st down goes wrong: http://t.co/KeNNqUrzXw pic.twitter.com/Uq53u9GDzh
— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 28, 2015
That's a fumble.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) September 28, 2015
https://twitter.com/PetersenWill/status/648321275165716480
Dang. He was not down. Gonna be the lions ball. Smh…
— Darren McKee (@DMacSportsCO) September 28, 2015
That's going to be #Lions ball. Never was down.
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) September 28, 2015
That's brutal also for the #Lions. Takes their touchdown away.
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) September 28, 2015
DT might want to skip film day.
— JGoRadio 🇺🇦 (@JGoRadio) September 28, 2015
You want your players to give the extra effort, but that's just careless. Lions ball at the DEN 29.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) September 28, 2015
On his play after the fumble…
https://twitter.com/PetersenWill/status/648324567518150657
Demaryius Thomas needs to just get that swag back.
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) September 28, 2015
Demaryius Thomas bouncing between "wow" and "what the heck?"
— Paul Klee (@bypaulklee) September 28, 2015
First half Demaryius vs second half Demaryius pic.twitter.com/7n5Z3BGTD6
— Adam Kinney (@adamrkinney) September 28, 2015
As many jump on #Broncos DT….He tried to make a play when he fumbled and is the only reason Broncos have the lead. Caught an alley-oop TD
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) September 28, 2015
#Broncos DT… 8 catches, 93 yards, TD, targeted 11 times…Reading twitter…should be benched. Mistake on fumble, yes.. But best WR on the field
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) September 28, 2015
https://twitter.com/PetersenWill/status/648335806159912960
DT not exactly earning that contract tonight
— Dan Fellman (@dfellman) September 28, 2015
Demaryius Thomas has been awful tonight, other than one play. The guy just looks out to lunch. #Broncos
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) September 28, 2015
