Marshall, Bailey Play Hero In Denver

NFL News - October 5th, 2009 - Written by John

Josh McDaniels stood at the post-game podium, deservedly giddy, laughing off questions about his relationship with wideout Brandon Marshall. Then he turned to his right, saw the Pro Bowl receiver coming his way, and wrapped his arms around him with a smile.

How easily things can be solved by winning. Mere minutes before, McDaniels saw his troubled player come up with one of the biggest plays of the year, weaving in and out of traffic after catching a pass, crossing to the left and then the right. He eventually rode the right sideline and dashed into the end zone to put the Broncos ahead for good. It was the defining play that gave the Broncos a 4-0 start to the season, something no one but McDaniels would've considered prior to the season.

A big reason Denver even got there was their top-ranked defense. Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was pressured all day and went without a touchdown pass for the second straight game. Romo was sacked five times, twice by Elvis Dumervil, and couldn't beat cornerback Champ Bailey.

Oh, did he try, though. On the final drive of the day, he took the Cowboys down to Denver's 2-yard line with nine seconds left. After spiking the ball on second down, he went in Bailey's direction and the corner blocked it away. On fourth down, Bailey again passed the test, swatting off a perfectly placed pass to Sam Hurd to end the game.

""That surprised me," Denver's Brian Dawkins said. "Both times that surprised me. To challenge a Hall of Famer, still doing what he does? You saw what he did on that beautiful pick on the sideline. So that surprised me that they continued to go at Champ. I'm glad they did."

Bailey had eight tackles, four deflections and an interception on the day, providing a total shutdown of the passing game. Romo completed just over half of his passes for 255 yards, and his most-targeted option was running back Tashard Choice.

"I welcome it," Bailey said about Romo going his way at the end of the game. "Please do. That's the only way I get a chance to make plays."

Meanwhile, Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton has played well in the shadow of Jay Cutler. He has a career home record of 17-2 and has a passer rating of 97 this year. He is one of only three quarterbacks who haven't thrown an interception on at least 50 pass attempts, throwing for 906 yards and five touchdowns.

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