Sanders, Thomas grab 100-yard games, win for Broncos

After a week that saw wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders gripe over their roles, or lack thereof, in the Denver Broncos offense early in the season, the pass-catching stars shined in Cincinnati.

In the Broncos 29-17 win over the Bengals Sunday, Sanders and Thomas combined for three touchdowns and 217 yards receiving on 15 receptions.

The duo –– who jokingly call themselves “lightning and thunder” after the game –– were the only two Broncos receivers with more than one reception Sunday aside from tight end John Phillips, who score the team’s other receiving touchdown.

Thomas –– who told NFL.com’s Michael Silver following last Sunday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts that the offense needed to produce more –– said after the game his remarks weren’t a venting of frustration but rather acknowledging how the two Pro Bowl receivers can produce.

“It wasn’t frustration, we just know what we are capable of doing on the field,” Thomas said. “I think we’re the best that does it with the one-two punch. You can go one-two punch either way. I think we’re the best in the game that does it, and we showed it today.”

After the game, head coach Gary Kubiak said it wasn’t necessarily Thomas’ and Sanders’ comments that sparked the aerial assault Sunday but that they try to get them targets when they can and the Bengals shut down Denver’s run game.

“We try to get them the ball every week. This team right here is a tough team to throw the ball against, but they really took away our run,” Kubiak said. “… We needed to throw the ball to get our points, and those two kids played really well. I’m proud of those two. They work hard.”

Denver averaged just 52 yards on the ground against Cincinnati but put up 303 yards through the air, which would be second-year quarterback Trevor Siemian’s first 300-pluss passing performance.

Kubiak, Sanders and Thomas, along with several others, complimented Siemian on the performance in his first road start in the NFL.

“Trevor played outstanding. Obviously going in, no one really knew about him. But now everybody’s starting to talk about him,” Sanders said. “… We definitely believe in him. What a day for him: four touchdowns and 300 yards. That’s amazing.”

Siemian, who outlasted veteran Mark Sanchez in the team’s preseason quarterback competition, became just the third quarterback in Broncos history to start out 3-0.

After the game, Siemian attributed the early career success to his teammates.

“I think it’s just a testament to our team. I think we have a really good team, a really resilient group. I’m just really proud to be a part of the team,” Siemian said.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7