Denver Broncos: Positives to build on from week one loss

Emmanuel Sanders, WR

Although he — like many others in this game — struggled with the field conditions and slipping in the first half, Emmanuel Sanders had himself a game in his return from an Achilles injury late last season.

Sanders caught five passes for 86 yards and the lone touchdown of the game.

Many counted Sanders out for being a receiver past the age of 30 whose game depended on his speed to come back from an Achilles injury in general. Not only did Sanders make it back from injury, he looks as explosive as he ever has, as evidenced by the Broncos’ biggest play of the game in which he cooked a Raiders cornerback for a 50-plus yard play deep down the middle of the field.

Sanders has struggled with injuries each of the last two seasons (ankle, Achilles) but he has also looked dynamic and explosive when he’s healthy and on the field.

Last year, he was having one of the best seasons of his Broncos career before the injury and was a key reason the Broncos went on a sneaky run there toward the middle of the year.

With Joe Flacco throwing him passes, I think Sanders is poised for yet another big year. He looked great out there on Monday night.