Big-play offense sparks Denver win
DENVER — A bunch of big plays and one big win led to some mighty strong words from Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall.
Marshall was one of four Denver players to score a long touchdown Monday night in a 34-20 victory over the Tennessee Titans that moved the Broncos into a first-place tie with San Diego in the AFC West at 5-5.
"This is our division," Marshall said. "San Diego, Kansas City, they don't have the talent like us in the locker room. They have the star players, but can't get it done like us."
Little-known Andre Hall had a 62-yard touchdown run and Glenn Martinez, another Broncos player who could walk through downtown Denver unnoticed, returned a punt 80 yards.
"Couldn't have picked a better time," Hall said with a grin.
Denver's offense finally broke out, piling up 359 yards. The Broncos scored four touchdowns of at least 40 yards for the first time in franchise history.
"We've just been holding back a little bit," said Marshall, who had a 41-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. "We thought that we could definitely have some big plays and we did."
The game gave Jay Cutler a chance to square off with Vince Young, the quarterback picked eight spots ahead of him in the 2006 draft.
And while Young had splashier numbers — 305 yards — Cutler got the victory.
Cutler finished 16-for-21 for 200 yards and two touchdowns with a gaudy 137.0 passer rating.
"Jay is going to be one of the best in this league," Marshall said.
Young also ran for a season-high 74 yards and a 4-yard score. But his career passing night was offset by two interceptions in the fourth quarter.
Had his receivers not dropped at least four easy passes, Young's numbers could've been even more impressive, and the Titans (6-4) might have avoided their second straight loss. The first drop came on the game's first drive, after receiver Brandon Jones slipped behind Champ Bailey but bobbled the easy catch.
"You can't do anything about it," Young said. "I just tell them, 'I'm coming right back to you.' Even though it's a drop, that doesn't mean I'm not going to throw you the ball."
Young and Cutler were the headliners coming into the game, but the Broncos found a few more after it started.
Hall, the first-year player out of South Florida, was filling in for Selvin Young, who sprained his knee in the second half. With Travis Henry already sitting out due to a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament, the Broncos didn't have many options. Hall finished with 89 yards on seven carries.
