Denver Broncos Week 2 Stock Report

The Denver Broncos are 1-0, and they travel to play the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football in Week 2. Even though it's early in the season, this is an incredibly important game with implications in the division. The Chiefs are going to push the Broncos this year for the AFC West title, and Denver needs to get the win to stay ahead in that race.

Even with a victory in Week 1, Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak knows there are things the team must improve on going forward.

“We have a lot of mental things that we have to fix. That’s the biggest thing coming out of a game, so you go correct the mistakes. I think that you can get a lot done. With what we’re doing, we got massive reps in yesterday. We practiced probably three times the amount of reps that we would have gotten if we were practicing for a Sunday game.”

Kubiak explained, “You back off the tempo, but you pick up on the teaching. That’s what you have to do as you get ready for a Thursday.”

Here is the stock report for the Broncos as they head into Week 2.

Stock Up: WR Emmanuel Sanders

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

For a guy who missed the entire preseason and most of training camp, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders looked like a star in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens. He was everywhere as a receiver, making big plays and moving the chains for the Broncos offense. Sanders looked like he hadn’t missed a beat even though he missed a few weeks preparing for the season with his teammates.

In addition to starring as a wide receiver, Sanders also provided an element of danger as a punt returner. Kubiak likes what he saw from Sanders on Sunday.

“He looked pretty comfortable to me last week. We were close to going on one that had a penalty that we’ve turned into the league, and we’ll see how that works out. He’s dynamic back there, so we just have to get him as many catches as we can and get him as comfortable as we can.”

The Broncos offense was sputtering in Week 1, but that’s not because of Sanders. He was perhaps the lone bright spot in the passing game.

Stock Down: QB Peyton Manning

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

Things just didn’t look good for quarterback Peyton Manning on Sunday. When he had time to set his feet and throw, Manning showed plenty of arm strength—even overthrowing a couple of deep targets that were off the mark. With his feet planted under him, Manning could drive the ball to the sidelines and even fit passes into tighter windows.

However, when Manning was under duress, his passes were way off the mark. When throwing on the run—either by design or because of pressure—Manning did not have the arm strength to just push the ball to the spot. Thus, his passes were floating too long in the air and did not have the same placement as passes thrown when his base was set.

Manning knows there are improvements to be made—even after a win.

“I think we had to keep reminding ourselves around here that we did actually win the game and that we are 1-0. Thank goodness because I can’t imagine what it would have been like had we lost the game. We are 1-0 and feel good about that.”

Manning continued, “I’ve always said, when you do lose a game, I think that sometimes the best medicine is to get back out there and play as soon as you can. I’m sure offensively I speak for a lot of guys that we certainly want to play better. I feel like that Thursday probably couldn’t come soon enough to have another opportunity. I think everybody wants to do their job better.”

The Broncos need to do a better job of protecting Manning against the Chiefs. Like the Ravens, the Chiefs have a ferocious defense that will get after the quarterback all game long. Manning took some big shots against the Ravens, and the team needs to make sure it minimizes those kinds of hits going forward.

With better protection and more comfort in the new offense, we should see a better Manning.

Stock Up: RB Ronnie Hillman

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All through the preseason, running back Ronnie Hillman has been an impressive runner for the Broncos. He entered training camp as the third-string back, but he’s worked his way up to become the primary backup and change-of-pace back behind starter C.J. Anderson.

When Anderson was banged up against the Ravens, it was Hillman who stepped in and performed.

Hillman ended up with the same number of carries as Anderson (12), and during the team’s final drive on offense, Hillman largely carried the Broncos.

His speed makes for a nice asset in the zone-blocking system. Hillman is not going to push the pile, but if he gets a lane, then he can get to—and through—the hole quickly. Paired with Anderson’s power, Hillman provides the team with a good changeup.

Hillman is not anticipating a larger workload against the Chiefs.

“Like I always say, you just have to be ready for whenever your number is called. If my number is called more than usual, that's what it is. If not, I'll just go in there and do what I can when I get in.”

We’ll have to see where Anderson is at with his injury before anticipating Hillman’s production level in Week 2. No matter what size his role, Hillman is ready to produce and help the team in any way he can.

Stock Down: LG Evan Mathis

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The most recent addition to the starting offensive line, left guard Evan Mathis struggled to impress against the Ravens. While the Ravens sent pressure on the outside, that didn’t really get to Manning on Sunday. However, pressure up the middle where Mathis and center Matt Paradis struggled really caused problems for the Broncos passing game.

Mathis took the blame. As Rod Mackey, from 9 News in Denver reported, Mathis pointed the finger at himself. “I’m not really pleased with my performance,” Mathis said after the game.

Kubiak knows the veteran had a tough go of it on Sunday.

“I think that it was a tough situation to go into, and it might be even tougher this week with where we’re going. It’s asking a lot of a guy that just got back, but to his credit, he wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Kubiak explained, “That’s why we’re glad that we got him. It’s just nice to look at the group and know—that if we continue to grow and continue to get better—what the group can be. I appreciate him hanging in there and like I said, I probably should have given him a little bit more of a break than I did last week.”

Mathis should get stronger as the season goes on. Week 1 was a rough outing for the veteran, but it’s just going to take time for him to get used to his new teammates—and for them to get used to him.

Stock Up: CB Aqib Talib

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

One of the best players at his position in the game today, cornerback Aqib Talib helped get the win for the Broncos in Week 1. He locked down Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith for most of the day, and Talib was able to get his hands on a pass from Joe Flacco.

Talib’s interception returned for a touchdown helped propel the Broncos to victory. His play also won him Defensive Player of the Week in the AFC.

Beyond that, Talib’s play really emphasized how the Broncos are built this season. The defense is the identity of this team in 2015. Its play against the Ravens is just a glimpse of things to come.

The pass-rushers were getting pressure on Flacco all day, and Talib was able to take advantage in coverage. Receivers are unable to dance at the line of scrimmage to get a clean release if their quarterback needs to get rid of the ball quickly while under pressure.

Even with a standout performance against the Ravens, Talib admits the defense still has work to do.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do. We watched the tape and made some corrections. We’re going to get it right.”

Talib wouldn’t say if playing on a short week is tougher physically or mentally.

“It’s both. You’ve just got shorter time. It’s just like preparing for a regular game. You just cut everything down. You have no days off. You get right to it. You play on Sunday, and you get right to it on Monday. You prepare like a regular week.”

The Chiefs don’t have a great passing attack, but Talib may be tasked with covering star receiver Jeremy Maclin on Thursday night. While the Broncos get on track offensively, the defense will have to do the heavy lifting. Talib and company are ready—and more than capable—of doing that.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats via ESPN's employees-only database.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.