Friday, November 27, 2009
DENVER (AP) — The Denver Broncos still have their troubles with the red zone and yellow flags. The dark cloud that hung over them during their month of misery, though, is gone.
Quarterback Kyle Orton drove them on six scoring drives, Matt Prater kicked four field goals and safety Brian Dawkins led a ferocious defense 48 hours after calling a players-only meeting, and the Broncos beat the New York Giants 26-6 Thursday night.
Elvis Dumervil dumped Eli Manning twice, extending his NFL-leading sack total to 14.
Dumervil’s second one came in the fourth quarter and resulted in a fumble that sealed Denver’s first win since Oct. 19.
Hosting their first Thanksgiving game since 1963 in the AFL, the Broncos returned to the physical style of play that marked their 6-0 start and ditched the sieve that was their defense during their four-game skid.
Behind three takeaways, the Broncos (7-4) halted their freefall and pulled within a half game of AFC West leader San Diego.
New York (6-5), which snapped its four-game losing streak on Sunday, fell two games behind Dallas, which beat Oakland earlier Thursday, in the NFC East.