Demaryius Thomas

The Denver Broncos lead the league in a dubious category: fumbles lost, with seven, in part because of wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and running back Willis McGahee. Thomas lost a fumble and dropped a pass last Sunday against the New England Patriots, after the third-year wideout had dropped two Peyton Manning passes and lost two fumbles in the two previous games. McGahee lost a fumble in the fourth quarter, his second of the season, and a fourth-down drop on another fourth-quarter drive effectively ended the Broncos' chances of a comeback against the Patriots.

But Thomas and McGahee will continue to get the ball. Whether it's because the Broncos have few viable backup options or because the two are 1-2 on the team in combined yardage from scrimmage and first downs produced, the coaches have little choice but to continue feeding them opportunities and hoping their ball-security issues cease.

"I stick with them. I told Willis after the fumble and the other fourth down when we had it, and I told Demaryius—I'm with them. We're going to need those guys all season," Manning said. "You don't see me not throwing to Demaryius or not calling Willis' number. They're out there; they're going to get the ball, and they're going to make more plays than they're going to miss, I assure you of that."