DeMarcus Ware ended the day at the bottom of the stat sheet for the Denver Broncos defense. Tight end Virgil Green had more tackles than Ware; so did right tackle Michael Schofield. But make no mistake, DeMarcus Ware was a force for the Denver Broncos in Sunday’s 27-19 victory over the San Diego Chargers.
Ware looked as fresh and hungry as ever, even on San Diego’s final possession, after a five-week layoff because of a broken forearm suffered in Week 2 against Indianapolis. As Philip Rivers tried to move the Chargers downfield for one last game-tying drive, it was Ware who was moving Rivers out of the pocket and forcing him to throw the ball away on that final possession.
Despite being on a snap count, Ware was disruptive throughout the game and several of his pressures led to big plays by the defense, including one of Denver’s three interceptions. The veteran may have even ignored the snap count just to prove a point.
“I am only supposed to play third down,” he said postgame, “and there was a couple plays guys started talking trash and I was like, ‘Well, then I guess I need to stay out here and take the trash out.’ That’s how I felt.”
His very presence meant San Diego had to dedicate more bodies to pass rush, which set up a big sack early in the game when T.J. Ward sacked Rivers unblocked on a blitz.
“He has a legendary presence when he’s on the football field,” Von Miller said postgame. He was all over the place today and just looking at him you wouldn’t think that he took off so many weeks. There is so much stuff that I can say about DeMarcus. It’s a true blessing having him here.”
Ware nearly had a forced fumble with a huge hit on Rivers himself, although the pass was ruled an incomplete pass. That hit, along with a pass defended, were the only two stats Ware registered on the afternoon but his presence was key to disrupting Rivers all day long.
Rivers ended the day with just a 48.8 passer rating – his worst of the year by nearly 40 points.
Here’s what some of our favorite follows on Twitter had to say about Ware’s return.
Denver’s first sack (of four) came because San Diego was so concerned with Ware…
Example of D-ware's impact. He was in on that 3rd down. Chargers helped on him, left T.J. alone and paid for it. #4Broncos
— Michael Spencer (@MichaelCBS4) October 30, 2016
Ware nearly had a forced fumble on Rivers, but the hit had a lasting impact…
No whistle blew … it'll go to replay because it's ruled a fumble … Ware with the hit on Rivers. Ware a beast so far today.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 30, 2016
Ware, who was limited by a back injury last year and during this preseason, showed no lingering effects of that injury…
34-year-old DeMarcus Ware on five weeks rest is 24-year-old DeMarcus Ware
— Paul Klee (@bypaulklee) October 30, 2016
Even as the game wore on, Ware was beating his man off the edge to create pressure…
My man @DeMarcusWare has got fresh legs coming off the edge. Shot from a canon.
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) October 30, 2016
DeMarcus Ware got tremendous pressure off the edge. Shocked he's playing, but great to see.
— Jake Marsing (@JakeDMarsing) October 30, 2016