Almost Great Performance No. 3  – Emmanuel Sanders

Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders set several marks in the Dec. 28 win against the Cincinnati Bengals by moving past the 1,000-yard threshold. In so doing, he reached that plateau for the second-consecuitve season and helped deliver Denver’s fourth-straight year with two receivers to reach 1,000 yards. It was the first time in franchise history that such a streak has occurred.

Sanders was just one yard away from a 100-yard game Sunday against San Diego. It would have been his fifth of the season, which would have put him one ahead of Demaryius Thomas. Instead, they ended the season tied with four.

That extra yard almost nearly came on his 46-yard reception in the first quarter. But as Sanders fought for extra yardage against Chargers cornerback Steve Williams, the ball was pried loose and San Diego had its first of five takeaways on the day.

The fumble occurred at the San Diego five-yard line, which would have very likely given the Broncos more points and set the game in a completely different direction. Both for Sanders and the team, it was almost a great play, and almost a runaway day.