Denver Broncos Week 16 Stock Report
The Denver Broncos have now lost back-to-back games for the second time this year after falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15, 34-27.
If the playoffs started today, the Broncos would have to play on Wild Card Weekend. The good news is they play the current No. 2 seed in the AFC, the Cincinnati Bengals, on Monday Night Football in Week 16. If the Broncos can pull off this win at home, they will own the tiebreaker with the Bengals and likely have a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak does not discuss playoff scenarios with his team.
“I really don't," he said. "I stay focused on our play. Like I said, we've got a lot of good things right now that we need to hang onto. We've got a lot of things not very good that we need to correct. We'll stay focused on that.
“The guys know what time of year it is. They know what's at stake. What is there, 10, 11 days left in our season, and we've got a lot of work to do. We've got a big one this weekend.”
As with every week, some players are on the rise, while others are now struggling for various reasons.
Here is the stock report for the Broncos as they head into Week 16.
Stock Up: WR Emmanuel Sanders
1 of 5
The Broncos offense came out firing against the Steelers Sunday. Denver had no trouble moving the ball through the air, and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders was a big factor in the success.
After having only five catches for 36 yards in the previous two games, Sanders exploded against his former team with a 10-catch, 181-yard performance. He also ended up getting into the end zone on a 61-yard catch and run in the first quarter. His 181 yards were the most he’s compiled this season and also the highest total of Sanders’ career.
He is aware of the playoff scenarios for the Broncos, but he takes a business-like approach to the potential outcomes.
“I'm very aware of it," he said. "I think everybody in this locker room is aware of it. We got ourselves into this situation, and I wouldn't say it's a bad situation. We still are in control of our own destiny. We just have to handle business.”
If the Broncos want to beat the Bengals Monday night, it would help if Sanders can have another big day.
Stock Down: CB Chris Harris Jr.
2 of 5
We’ve never seen cornerback Chris Harris Jr. torched like he was Sunday against Steelers All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown. After not giving up a touchdown in two calendar years, Harris gave up two to Brown in Week 15.
This was clearly the worst game of his career, and Harris ended up surrendering most of Brown’s 16 catches, 189 yards and both touchdowns. After the game, Harris blamed himself for the team’s loss in Week 15.
Harris is confident about maintaining his confidence level.
“It's easy," he said. "You stick to what you do. I've been playing the same coverage for five years, the same technique for five years. I rarely get beat. If you get beat, you just have to believe in your technique, continue to stick to what you're doing. I was just out of whack last week.
“It just happens. Sometimes you'll be out of whack and you have to bounce back.”
This week, Harris may match up against Bengals superstar receiver A.J. Green. While Green may not be quite as good as Brown, he’s certainly in the upper tier of receivers in the NFL.
Harris is confident in his ability, and going up against Green is going to test his mettle.
Stock Up: QB Brock Osweiler
3 of 5
We know that quarterback Brock Osweiler is going to get another start for the Broncos in Week 16. His status as the starter was up in the air after he suffered a shoulder injury against the Steelers.
Kubiak said that Osweiler’s shoulder isn’t a major injury: “He's sore, but he's good. He took all his practice reps. Actually, he got a little eye infection today he was dealing with, but he's pushing through, battling through. [He] worked real hard with [athletic trainer Steve] Greek [Antonopulos] on Monday and Tuesday. He's fine.”
Osweiler had a good start against the Steelers. In the first half of that game, he had three touchdown passes and rushed once into the end zone.
The second half against the Steelers wasn’t as productive.
Osweiler went 7-of-26 (27 percent completion) in the second half, and the team was 1-of-9 on third downs after having a 100 percent third-down conversion rate in the first half. While the Broncos went into halftime with a 27-13 lead, they failed to score any points in the second half.
So why is Osweiler’s stock up?
Simply put—he’s still the starter and finally got the offense into the end zone. Entering the Steelers game, the Broncos offense had gone 23 drives without scoring a touchdown. The team quickly demolished that streak in the Steelers game.
To continue as the starter, Osweiler needs to prove he can be consistently productive. He has a big test in front of him this week against a Bengals defense that can get after the quarterback.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Stock Down: QB Peyton Manning
4 of 5
Just when we thought quarterback Peyton Manning could return to the lineup soon, he suffered a setback with his injured plantar fascia after practicing last week. Manning has been recovering from a partially torn plantar fascia for quite some time, but last week was the first time he had returned to practice.
After looking good Wednesday and Thursday, Manning was too sore to continue practicing Friday. He was on the sidelines for the Steelers game but did not suit up for the contest. Instead, Manning stayed on the sidelines and was there to help Osweiler with some tips and observations as the game went on.
Kubiak did not reveal if Manning would return at all this season.
“The most important thing is we get him healthy," the coach said. "We took some steps last week toward doing that—I think a couple of good steps—and then obviously Friday wasn't a good day compared to the others.”
“The last time he worked was last Thursday and then this morning. Hopefully we'll have a good week this week and we'll see. Just trying to get him healthy.”
Manning is not going to be in the lineup for Week 16, and he may not even be able to return as a starter or backup in Week 17. His status is up in the air at this time.
Stock Up: WR Demaryius Thomas
5 of 5
Yes, he had a key drop against the Steelers. Yes, he leads the NFL with 10 drops in 2015. However, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has seen his stock rise with his performance in Week 15.
Kubiak takes an interesting approach when discussing the drops with the receivers on the team.
“I talk to them as a team," he said. "Individually, I talk to players through the course of practice. One thing Demaryius knows is how much confidence I have in him as a player and a person and the ball will come right back to him. He knows that. I don't have to tell him that.”
Thomas knows this week against the Bengals is a huge contest.
"It has very big meaning," the wideout said. "They're playing well and I could say that we're playing well in the first half, but we have to put up a whole game against these guys. They have a good defense. They have a lot of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball.
“We have to go out and play a whole 60 minutes this week."
Thomas was more involved in the passing game last week against the Steelers, and the team will need him to play a large role against the Bengals too.
After his disappointing one-catch game against the Patriots in Week 12, Thomas has snared 21 passes over the last three games. After scoring only three touchdowns entering the Steelers game, Thomas almost doubled that total with two touchdowns in Week 15.
Momentum has been building for Thomas. If he continues to cut down on drops and starts getting into the end zone more, then he should continue to see his stock rise for the Broncos.
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. 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.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
