Broncos vs. Browns: Denver Grades, Notes and Quotes

The Denver Broncos had to dig deep on Sunday, overcoming sloppy play and some horrible turnovers to defeat the Cleveland Browns. Denver needed overtime to get the 26-23 win, pushing its record to 6-0 on the season.

Peyton Manning threw three interceptions in the game, and the Broncos came dangerously close to losing a fumble on a punt return deep in their own territory during the overtime period.

But the defense didn't give up much in overtime, and when the Broncos desperately needed it, they put together a winning drive that consisted of mostly running plays to set up the game-winning 34-yard field goal by Brandon McManus.

The Broncos head into their bye week as one of the league's five remaining unbeaten teams. But before we talk any more about their time off, let's review this game a little further.

Positional Grades

Andrew Weber/Getty Images

QB: D-

RB: B+

WR: B-

TE: C

OL: B-

DL: B

LB: B

DB: B+

ST: A-

Coaching: B-

Quarterback: Things are slowly getting worse for Peyton Manning. His three interceptions on Sunday bring him to 10 on the season, against just seven touchdown passes. Manning doesn't seem to just lack arm strength; his accuracy is nowhere near where it used to be either. The Broncos are finding ways to win despite the poor play of their quarterback.

Running Back: The Broncos finally got a good game on the ground, and it came from Ronnie Hillman, not C.J. Anderson. Hillman has looked like the better running back all season, and on Sunday he had 111 yards rushing compared to 41 for Anderson.

Wide Receiver: Both Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders went over 100 yards in this game, but Thomas had two critical drops in the late stages of the game that really could have cost the Broncos. The team can't seem to find a consistent No. 3 option in the passing game either.

Tight End: It was another quiet day for Denver tight ends. Owen Daniels caught two passes for 24 yards. Virgil Green was not targeted in the passing game.

Offensive Line: The Browns came into the game ranked No. 31 in run defense, so Denver's success on the ground is likely due more to the fact that Cleveland can't stop it, rather than the offensive line opening holes in the running game. As a whole, the unit continues to struggle mightily. 

Defensive Line: Derek Wolfe made a terrible play late in the game, drawing a roughing the passer penalty on Josh McCown. Malik Jackson had a solid game, however, getting a sack and two tackles for loss. The sack came in overtime with the Browns around midfield. 

Defensive Backs: Aqib Talib made perhaps the biggest play of the game, taking an interception back 63 yards for a touchdown. The Broncos were also able to bottle up tight end Gary Barnidge in the first half, but it was a different story after halftime. 

Barnidge caught two touchdowns in the second half. In addition, Travis Benjamin finished the game with 117 yards receiving.

Special Teams: McManus did miss his first field goal of the season, but he kicked four more, including the one that won the game. But Jordan Norwood nearly fumbled away that chance. Pressed into punt return duties due to a late injury to Sanders, Norwood muffed a punt inside the Broncos' 10-yard line. Luckily, he was able to scoop it up before Cleveland could recover. 

Important Note No. 1: Shane Ray Carted off with Injury

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

With DeMarcus Ware out of this game, the Broncos were already thin on defense. Shane Ray was injured when he was rolled up on from behind. He had to be carted off the field, and the pink towel he placed over his head as he took that ride indicated the injury could be severe.

Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post is reporting that Ray suffered a sprained MCL. It remains to be seen how much time he will miss.

In relief of Ray, Lerentee McCray was able to come in and get some pressure on the quarterback, and he had two tackles in the game. The Broncos have a lot of depth in the pass-rushing department, and this was more evidence of that.

Still, the Broncos will hope for a speedy recovery for their first-round draft pick, Ray.

Important Note No. 2: Broncos Finally Have Success on the Ground

David Richard/Associated Press

Aside from a 72-yard touchdown run by Hillman against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4, the Broncos have had almost no success running the football this year.

That changed on Sunday as the team racked up 152 yards on the ground while averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Granted, this came against a weak run defense, but at least it's something for the team to build upon.

Hillman saw 20 carries in the game. In comparison, Anderson was given only 13 carries. This could be an indication that head coach Gary Kubiak is leaning toward making Hillman the featured back in the offense.

Important Note No. 3: 6-0 Start Could Mean Big Things for Broncos

Jason Miller/Getty Images

Considering the circumstances from the first six games this season, the Broncos may be fortunate to be 6-0. But wins and losses are what count in the NFL, and the Broncos have yet to lose.

The Broncos have now started 6-0 seven times in their franchise history, and as Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com points out, the Broncos have reached the Super Bowl in five out of six of those previous seasons.

Obviously, there is still much more work to do in order for that to become the case this season, but the Broncos have history on their side. At 6-0, the Broncos are a pretty good bet to reach the postseason again.

Quote No. 1: Peyton Manning Talks About Getting the Win

David Richard/Associated Press

During his postgame press conference, via the team's official website, Manning talked about the Broncos getting the victory, crediting the defense for helping the team do so. Manning was asked about the team's offensive struggles.

"

Obviously we're not getting a ton of breaks. I won't be going to Vegas for my bye week and I'm not feeling real lucky right now, I'll say that. Tipped balls seem to be going to them and then, ya know, we had a couple of plays where DT and I couldn't quite connect. He's made so many plays and those are two I know he'd like to make. And then when things aren't going so well, the challenge that you always have is avoiding pressing, and trying to do too much, which was certainly the case on the one in overtime. I was going to DT and they dropped an extra d-lineman and they had it covered up. As opposed to refusing to say OK, they got us on this one. Tried to make it happen and obviously put us in a bad spot.

"

Manning was referring to the play in overtime where he tried to soft toss a pass to Thomas on 3rd-and-5. Instead, Cleveland's Barkevious Mingo dropped back and got the easiest interception he'll ever see in his career.

Plays like that have been very uncharacteristic of Manning, but they are becoming commonplace this season. That is something for fans to be concerned about.

Quote No. 2: DeMarcus Ware Gives Victory Speech

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Following the game, DeMarcus Ware, who missed the game due to a strained back, addressed his teammates, via the team's official website.

"

Hey, we are 6-0, but let me tell ya something. Sitting there on that sideline, I see better, I see better, I see that we can be a better team. So what we gotta do, is get out there and take care of this bye week. Everybody get back right, and we gotta get out there and grind. I'm gonna sit up and be straight with ya'll, we gotta put that work in.

"

His teammates seemed to agree, and most fans probably do too. Guess what, DeMarcus? We all see a better team. But how long will it be before this team is able to put everything together?

Quote No. 3: Brandon McManus Talks About Game-Winning Kick

David Richard/Associated Press

Following the game, McManus addressed his game-winning field goal, via the team's official website.

"I knew they did a good job of getting me down the field, obviously making a very easy kick at 34 yards. It was on the hash I wanted it to be on based off of warm-ups. Unbelievable team win. We fought together to seal this thing on the road and get to 6-0."

McManus credited the entire team, but he has been no small part of Denver's success in the first six games. He has successfully booted 16-of-17 field goals on the year and scored 61 points in six games.

Not bad for a guy who many people likely wrote off following his up-and-down performance last season.