Orton plots Broncos return to winning ways against Giants
Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton (L) hands the ball off to running back Correll Buckhalter during their NFL football game against the New York Giants in Denver, Colorado November 26, 2009.
Credit: Reuters/Mark Leffingwell
DENVER, Colorado (Reuters) - Kyle Orton shrugged off the pain of a lingering ankle injury to help the Denver Broncos snap a four-game losing streak with a 26-6 win over the New York Giants on Thursday.
The quarterback's sprained ankle has limited his playing time in recent weeks but he was able to manufacture six scoring drives and tossed for 245 yards, while his defense stifled the Giants to help the Broncos win their first game since October 19.
After beginning the season with six straight wins under first-year coach Josh McDaniels, Denver (7-4) ran into a rough patch of form before Thursday's win lifted them within a half game of the AFC West Division lead.
Orton led the way with a series of methodical drives to give Denver a 16-0 halftime lead before the Giants responded with two field goals from Lawrence Tynes in the third quarter to reduce the deficit to 10 points.
Denver put the game away when Orton connected with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Stokley with 10:15 to go and Matt Prater completed the scoring with a field goal five minutes later.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning finished with 230 yards and gave up one of his team's three turnovers as New York (6-5), who opened the season 5-0, remained in third place in the NFC East.
Denver defensive end Elvis Dumervil sacked Manning twice to extend his NFL-leading total to 14.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by John O'Brien)
