Broncos’ WR Eric Decker Stands Out In Win

Eric Decker is knocked out of bounds just short of a touchdown by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith during the first half of an NFL football game in Baltimore. (Gail Burton/AP Photo)

If it’s not one top wide receiver, it’s another for the 11-3 Denver Broncos. When one doesn’t stand out, it’s usually because both do.

Two weeks ago against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it was Demaryius Thomas with 8 catches for 99 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Last week against the Oakland Raiders, Eric Decker had 8 receptions for 88 yards while Thomas chimed in with 5 receptions for 83 yards in the win.

This week against the Baltimore Ravens, it was Decker’s turn to steal the show. He had 8 catches for 133 yards (3 yards short of a career high) and one touchdown which came on a 51-yard pass from Peyton Manning in the third quarter.

“Eric really played well today,” Manning said following the 34-17 win. “We were hitting some outs and some intermediate routes, and we thought it was time to maybe take something down the field…It was a double move by Eric, good route, good protection, and it was all set up by the run game.”

Cornerback Cary Williams was the one covering Decker, and the two could be seen jawing with each other for the better part of the day.

“He’s a great player and we’re both competitive, obviously, and in the heat of the game, you know how it is, you just say some words, you have some fun doing it. At the end of the games, it’s about the team,” Decker said.

Thomas was targeted 9 times and had 4 receptions for 13 yards. He never really got on Manning’s page this week, dropping catchable balls or letting them get away.

Decker has 9 touchdowns this season while Thomas has 8.

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