Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior Writer 9y

Rapid Reaction: Denver Broncos

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- A few thoughts from the Denver Broncos’ 31-17 victory over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

What it means: Although it became more of a struggle than it should have been, the Broncos continue to grind their way through the array of physical defenses that have dotted the opening half of their 2014 schedule. The Broncos sit at 4-1, with their only loss coming in Seattle in overtime in Week 3. They certainly didn’t have their best fastball Sunday and looked out of sorts at times on offense to go with far too many penalties (10 in the first three quarters), but they had just enough for the struggling Jets.

Stock watch: With linebacker Danny Trevathan having left Sunday’s game with a left knee injury after the Broncos’ second play from scrimmage on defense, the Broncos again turned to Brandon Marshall to work in the weakside linebacker spot. Marshall had started the Broncos’ first three games in place of Trevathan, who had suffered a fracture at the top of his left tibia in training camp. Marshall was the team’s leading tackler when Trevathan returned to the lineup in last Sunday's game against the Cardinals, and the Broncos expect to need that kind of production from him moving forward as well.

Hillman, Thompson the 1-2: With Montee Ball out of the lineup because of a right groin injury, Ronnie Hillman started at running back for the Broncos, and Thompson worked as the No. 2. Both flashed some quickness to the hole against a physical Jets front, as Hillman finished with a career single-game high of 100 rushing yards. The Broncos had particular success when they moved into a two-tight end set in the third quarter, often using reserve tackle Paul Cornick as the second tight end.

Game ball: You likely could hand one to Peyton Manning each week, including after this game. But with Ball out, the Broncos needed Hillman to be the kind of back they’d hoped he'd be when they selected him in the third round of the 2012 draft. Although he did fumble once -- after a 26-yard third-quarter run, and Andre Caldwell recovered it -- Hillman finished with his first career 100-yard game. The Broncos had moments when they still looked unsure of what they want in the run game, such as when they kept Hillman in with just over six minutes remaining in the game and he was stuffed on a third-and-short, but they needed some impact from Hillman in this one, and they got it.

What’s next: The Broncos have what is likely their toughest turnaround of the season. They will face the run-heavy, pound-it-out San Francisco 49ers next Sunday followed by a now-key AFC West matchup with the San Diego Chargers a week from Thursday. The Chargers, on a Thursday, were the only team to defeat the Broncos at home last season.

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