Denver Broncos

Broncos have issues in many areas, except win column

ANALYSIS:The Broncos returned to the winning side of their ledger Sunday with a 16-13 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sam Adams' Open Mic: Denver comes out on top in number that counts

Let’s start with an odd number — 137. That’s the streak of regular-season games cornerback Champ Bailey has played without a sack, dating to the 10th game of his rookie season.

Bailey's hit more valuable than sack for Broncos

The cornerback's blitz in which he leveled Tampa Bay quarterback Brian Griese in the third quarter Sunday, necessitating a move to Buccaneers backup Jeff Garcia, wasn't a sack because Griese's arm was in motion when the hit occurred.

Elbow injury greases Griese's exit

A helmet to the right elbow of Brian Griese ended the former Broncos quarterback's day prematurely Sunday, and his return to Denver didn't end as he had hoped.

Without offensive flash, Broncos still score enough

There were no breathtaking bombs from quarterback Jay Cutler, no nifty cutback runs by the Broncos running backs that left the defense in their wake.

Broncos report: Royal's right ankle injury dampens win

There's one way to slow down fast Eddie Royal: crutches. The Broncos receiver, who came into the game leading NFL rookies in catches, sprained his right ankle on a third- quarter punt return and did not return Sunday. He'll be re-evaluated by the medical staff today.

Broncos replay: Defense finds its form

If this showdown was supposed to come down to which team played better defense, it was the Broncos who were expected to be in trouble.

KRIEGER: Broncos kicker Prater's powerful leg leaves jaws agape

The most amazing development of the Broncos' season so far is not Jay Cutler, good as he's been. Not Brandon Marshall. Not even rookie Eddie Royal. The most amazing development has been the emergence of a little-known free-agent kicker.

LINCICOME: Beware: There is no shine on this Broncos victory

Cutler takes a knee. There may be more reassuring words for the Broncos, but those will do for this week, the close of a game that was never in doubt as much as it was in traction, a game that just sort of ran out of motion.

Fantasy football: What we learned from Week 5

Five weeks into the season, it's time to ignore the rationalizations and trust our eyes. The Seahawks' defense is terrible, and Indianapolis' isn't much better.

Fantasy football: Don't be concerned by flesh wounds

All last week Aaron Rodgers was nursing a sore shoulder that, by most accounts, threatened to keep him out of Sunday’s contest with the Falcons. He was listed as questionable and declared a game-time decision. Rodgers wound up passing for 313 yards and three touchdowns in the loss.