Honorable Mention Stud – Danny Trevathan
The Broncos surrendered touchdowns on the Bengals’ first two drives and would have put the Broncos in a 17-0 hole were it not for a missed field goal. But that missed kick was a momentum changer for the defense, which was keyed all night long by inside linebacker Danny Trevathan. Denver allowed just three more points the remainder of the game, forcing five punts on Cincinnati’s six second-half possessions.
Trevathan was the leading tackler on the night, compiling 12 total, eight solo. Ten of those tackles came in the first half, when it seemed like he was the only one making plays. He didn’t register any plays that could be categorized as “game changers” – no sacks or interceptions – but he was monster stopping the run.
After surrendering 85 yards on the ground in the first half, Trevathan and the defense gave up just 23 the rest of the way. Negating the run put more pressure on A.J. McCarron and gave the pass rush a chance to materialize.
Postgame, Bengals Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict tweeted at Trevathan, “…good s*** today … u was around that ball…”
