It looked a little shaky early, but the Denver Broncos’ special teams unit responded nicely to one of their worst performances of the year to help deliver a win in Jacksonville.

After newly promoted punt returner Kalif Raymond misjudged his first try of the game, pinning the Broncos back on their own 11-yard line, it appeared as though the special teams struggles that (in part) cost Denver a win against Kansas City one week prior might have traveled across the country with the team. Raymond let his first look from Brad Nortman bounce at this feet at the 35-yard line and had to retreat to recover the ball back at the 11 for no gain.

On a day when the Denver offense produced just 206 total yards, every yard – and every possession – would prove critical on special teams. Fortunately for Raymond, he would have plenty of chances. Fortunately for Denver, Raymond was much better at containing the ball than Jordan Norwood was last week.

Norwood muffed two points in the loss to Kansas City, including one that pinned Denver on its own goal line and led to a safety. His second muff earned a highly publicized shove from teammate Aqib Talib as he headed to the sideline.

Raymond’s first effort on Sunday didn’t have nearly as disastrous an effect, though, and he would deliver a key return later in the first half that helped set up a Brandon McManus field goal.

With 1:00 remaining in the half, Nortman sent a 53-yard punt into Denver territory where Raymond returned the ball 19 yards. Most importantly, Raymond drew a penalty from Alex Ellis for a late hit out of bounds and Denver took over at the Jacksonville 43. Paxton Lynch completed a pair of passes to Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas to give Brandon McManus a 32-yard field goal to extend Denver’s lead to 10-3 at the half.

McManus was perfect on the day, also connecting from 41 yards and hitting two extra point attempts. McManus missed badly in overtime last week against Kansas City on a potentially game-winning 62-yard attempt in overtime.

Raymond returned four of the eight kicks he was back to receive, totaling 40 yards. His yardage total wasn’t particularly impressive, but he did not turn the ball over – a key for head coach Gary Kubiak and special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis.

Denver’s own punter, Riley Dixon, had far-and-away the busiest day of his young career. Dixon punted 11 times in the game for an average of 46 yards. Three of his punts were downed inside the 20 and two went for touchbacks.

On Dixon’s first punt of the second half, Kayvon Webster downed the ball at the Jacksonville 5-yard line. On the ensuing drive, Bradley Roby picked off Blake Bortles for a touchdown to extend Denver’s lead to 17-3. Dixon and Webster had connected earlier in the game to pin the Jaguars at their own 3-yard line.

Denver was excellent in punt coverage all day, allowing Bryan Walters to return only four kicks for 17 total yards. Remember, too, that the Broncos were playing for the second week without their starting long snapper. Denver signed Thomas Gafford ahead of the KC game when Casey Kreiter suffered a calf injury. Gafford, so far, has been perfect on his snaps.

It was a welcome performance for the special teams unit coming off a game that DeCamillis called the worst of which he’s ever been a part. The Kansas City game was a tough day for Norwood, who holds a Super Bowl record for longest punt return. It wasn’t a great day for the rookie Raymond, who was just signed off the practice squad this week, but it was good enough to keep the job for next week.

Here’s what the team at MHS (and some of our favorite follows in the Denver media) had to say about the special teams play in Sunday’s win against Jacksonville…