Just 10 days ago if I had told you the Denver Broncos would be 2-0 to start the 2015 season you probably would have believed me.
But how they’ve gotten to that record has been nothing short of remarkable. An improbable win against the Ravens off four field goals and a pick-six followed by one of the most insane, riveting comebacks and final minute in Kansas City have already provided plenty of drama.
Some guys have stepped up the first two weeks and been critical contributors in both wins. Others have disappointed, but luckily teammates have been there to pick them up. So who’s shined so far and who’s been a letdown?
Here are three studs and three duds from the first couple weeks of the Broncos 2015 campaign.
Dud No. 3 — Evan Mathis
Entering 2015 season, LG Evan Mathis graded negatively as a starter ONCE in his career. Weeks 1&2 this season? -2.5 and -0.5.
— PFF (@PFF) September 20, 2015
Mathis has struggled with the Broncos so far, no matter how you look at it. But don’t give up on him yet, the guy has only played two games after signing in late August and seeing no preseason action. Mathis should be just fine down the stretch — I hope.
Stud No. 3 — Emmanuel Sanders (Honorable mention: Bruton, Marshall, McManus, Miller, Trevathan, Ware)
.@ESanders_10 leads the #Broncos with 16 receptions and two TDs this season.
Monday photos: http://t.co/nHOJffhtn5 pic.twitter.com/M1DBvIrdEX
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 22, 2015
Sanders has been a beast for the Broncos after missing most of the preseason and doesn’t appear to have skipped a beat from his awesome 2014 campaign. The game tying touchdown catch in Kansas City capped a very special night for Sanders at Arrowhead.
Dud No. 2 — Owen Daniels
.@OwenDaniels (aka The Weatherman) is all over the #BroncosGameday forecast!#TheSqueeze http://t.co/MFm2Qm0yw8 pic.twitter.com/F2Rg2zZani
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 13, 2015
Daniels’ weather reports have been the highlight so far of his time with the Broncos. In two games the tight end has amassed just 24 yards through the air after some (myself included) thought he’d be a monster in this offense. There’s still time, but it’s a very slow start.
Stud No. 2 — Darian Stewart
Broncos S @darianstewart26 with a takeaway for the 2nd consecutive game w/recovery of fumble forced by @D_Brut30.
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) September 18, 2015
The most pleasant surprise on an absolutely loaded defense so far this season has been Stewart. The Broncos signed him with little fanfare this offseason, but he’s been a monster in both games. The game sealing pick against Balitmore and forcing a huge turnover in KC have already made Stewart a household name.
Dud No. 1 — C.J. Anderson
Can we please get a C.J. Anderson touchdown here? Give us suffering fantasy owners a break. Please?!
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) September 18, 2015
That’s the sentiment a lot of fantasy owners have been echoing, as Anderson has produced very little so far. But throw fantasy out the window, for the sake of the Broncos season Anderson must get it together. Right now he’s run for just 56 yards on 24 carries, or 2.3 YPC. Yikes.
Stud No. 1 — Aqib Talib
Aqib Talib trying to win AFC Defensive Player of the Week for the 2nd straight week.
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) September 18, 2015
Talib won the award after Week 1 for his game winning pick-six against Joe Flacco and the Ravens and was in contention last week as well. He had an awesome interception of Alex Smith, stepping in front of Jeremy Maclin for a key turnover when the Broncos were struggling. Talib has been the Broncos MVP through two weeks.