Stokley Says Offense Could Have Played Much Better In Charlotte
DENVER (CBS4) - The Denver Broncos are rolling right now and wide receiver Brandon Stokley says the team needs to keep a level head amid the success. Even though the Broncos handled the Carolina Panthers, he says the offense could have played much better.
"If you look at it, defense and special teams played great, but offensively we feel like they outplayed us," Stokley said on Xfinity Monday Live!
The offense definitely sputtered on third downs against the Panthers -- something they hadn't done the previous three games.
But it's nice to know that when one area of the team may be struggling, the others can pick them up.
"That's what it all about. If you want to make it to the playoffs and make it to the Super Bowl, you have to have a team," he said. "That's what we're working towards and hopefully we'll continue to improve and every week get better and better."
Broncos head coach John Fox formerly was the head coach for the Panthers. He played down his return to Charlotte, but the players wanted to make sure they got him a win.
"Anytime you go to a place that you used to play at, it does mean a little bit more," Stokley said. "That's not saying that you're going to play harder or work any harder during the week, but afterwards, if you do win, it's a little bit extra special."
The defense stole the show against Carolina, and there's no doubt about it -- linebacker Von Miller was the star of the game. Stokley said he's never seen a player dominate the trenches like Miller did in that game.
"It was awesome to watch. I think he's running out of dances," Stokley said with a laugh. "He was unblockable."
Another aspect of the Broncos success has been the play of the special teams, starting with returner Trindon Holliday. He's had two returns for touchdowns in the last two weeks. And to think the Houston Texans released him.
"He's been special to us. Anytime you can have a guy in back-to-back games have touchdowns for you, it's just such a momentum swing for you to not even have to go out on the field and you get seven points," Stokley said. "Not even just touchdowns, but the 10-, 12-yard returns that he gets in the punt return game are big for an offense."
The Broncos worked Holliday in the backfield during the Panthers game and Manning threw a pass his way. Stokley said he hopes Holliday can fill that role for the team going forward.
The Broncos play host to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. Kickoff is at 2:25 p.m. on CBS4.
- By Matthew J. Buettner, CBSDenver.com
Watch more of the video with Brandon Stokley in the Xfinity Monday Live! section.
