Usually it’s the stars who make the difference in a football game, such as Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller, cornerbacks Chris Harris and Aqib Talib or defensive end Derek Wolfe. Sunday against San Diego it was cornerback Bradley Roby playing his best game of the season, returning an interception for a touchdown, that helped propel the Broncos to victory.

Beyond the box score, coaches see the impact of players performing well based on need or with a rare opportunity. The ‘Next Man Up’ mantra has become cliche, but the importance of depth and young players shining in their moment is essential for an NFL team to have success.

Here’s a spotlight on three young, unheralded Denver defenders doing their jobs in the 27-19 victory over the Chargers. Related Articles November 1, 2016 Jhabvala vs. Kiz: Are Raiders for real or 6-2 frauds?

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Corey Nelson

The signal-caller role might be the most important for the cohesiveness of the Broncos’ defense. It’s how the Broncos’ coaches communicate to a player via radio in his helmet. It’s a responsibility this season usually reserved for Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall, but Sunday third-year linebacker Corey Nelson made his first career start in place of Marshall, who was injured.

“Corey did a really good job,” Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. “The situation he got put in, and still playing special teams, I’m really proud of Corey.”

Nelson played 77 of 81 defensive snaps. He finished with five tackles and broke up a pass. He often was the Broncos’ lone linebacker in “dime” coverage and he did well when he was isolated on pass plays.

Even through his strong performance when the Broncos needed it the most, Nelson wasn’t basking in the praise, but seeking to improve. “It definitely builds a lot of confidence off of this game,” he said. “It definitely builds a lot of trust as well. It’s a huge boost for me.”

Lorenzo Doss

It wasn’t until Sunday morning, just a few hours before the Broncos’ rematch with the Chargers, that Broncos fifth cornerback Lorenzo Doss was told he would be active for the second time this season. Aqib Talib was a late scratch because of a back injury, A first-quarter hamstring injury to Kayvon Webster forced Doss to be the third cornerback for much of the game.

Doss’ defining moment came on fourth down late in the fourth quarter when he broke up a would-be touchdown pass intended for 6-foot-5, 250-pound Chargers tight end Hunter Henry.

“It started before that. It started in the meetings,” Doss said. “I just read his route, and I made the play on it. The team expects that from me. They expect me to make plays. I prepare like I’m a starter.”

Doss deserves an assist on safety Darian Stewart’s third-quarter interception, a pass Doss deflected. He played a career-high 40 defensive plays, or 49 percent.

“This has gotta be a big game in Doss’ career,” Kubiak said. “There are moments in your career where you come in and gain confidence that you can do something. He got put on the spot and made some really big plays, so I’m looking for him to build off of that.”

Will Parks

On a goal-line stand late in the fourth quarter, the Broncos depended on the rookie Parks to defend Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers’ most trusted red zone target, tight end Antonio Gates, on three consecutive plays. On second and third down, Gates was Rivers’ primary receiver before the play was halted by Parks.

A third-and-goal play from the Broncos’ 2-yard line, with the Chargers down eight points, might have been Parks’ best moment of the season. Gates ran a corner route and had a step on Parks. The 6-foot, 194-pound safety made up the ground and knocked down Gates’ left arm just as the ball was arriving to force an incomplete pass.

“I knew they were coming for me,” Parks said. “You gonna make a play or you gonna fail. And I can’t fail.”

Parks was the Broncos’ final of three defensive draft picks selected late in the sixth round of April’s draft, but he’s made the biggest impact of them all. Parks has emerged as the Broncos’ third safety.