NEW ORLEANS — The most energetic Broncos player during and after Sunday’s win over the Saints might have been one who didn’t even play.

Cornerback Aqib Talib, who has missed three games with a lower back injury, assumed his best cheerleader impression rooting his teammates from the sidelines. The win made Talib’s energy even higher as he congratulated his teammates throughout the locker room.

The Broncos are a wounded bunch with Talib, defensive end Derek Wolfe and quarterback Trevor Siemian among those most affected my injuries or pain. Denver now gets to head into their late bye week 7-3 off a big road victory. They’ll get the back-end of the bye week to rest and clear their mind from football before returning next Monday.

“We need it. The bye couldn’t come soon enough. We’ll be about to get Wolfe back and …” cornerback Chris Harris said.

“And ‘lib back,” Talib interrupted.

Cornerback Chris Harris’ smile grew even wider: “And ‘lib back, like he said. To be able to get him back adds even more impact players to our team.”

The Broncos all-pro cornerback received good news after getting a second opinion on his back injury in California the week of Denver’s loss to Oakland. Coach Gary Kubiak said he was hopeful to get both Wolfe and Talib back after the bye week. It seems at least half of that hope will be coming true.

Have a day, DT. Demaryius Thomas’ two-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter Sunday in the Broncos’ 25-23 victory at New Orleans tied the game at 17 and gave Thomas his 56h receiving touchdown since 2011, playoffs included. No NFL receiver has recorded more in that span.

Thomas played a starring role on the offense, catching eight of 11 passes thrown to him for 87 yards.

“I try to catch everything that comes my way,” he said. “… I had one where I didn’t make a play. But all around, from blocking to keeping the drive going, this was my best one, hands down.”

BY THE NUMBERS

Three eye-popping statistics from the Broncos’ 25-23 victory over the Saints on Sunday:

58 – Denver’s conversion percentage on third down. It was successful on 11-of-19 attempts, which allowed it to continue drives. The Broncos had only a 37-percent third-down conversion rate coming into Sunday’s game.

39:22 – The Broncos’ time of possession, easily their best of the season. They ran 83 offensive plays compared to 51 for the Saints.

1 – The number of Denver penalties at New Orleans. A single illegal block above the waist on a special teams play was the only accepted penalty against the Broncos.

AFC West Standings

The Broncos’ 25-23 victory at New Orleans on Sunday still left them behind the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West race going into their bye week. The Chiefs, who are undefeated in the division, are up next for Denver on Nov. 27 at Sports Authority Field:

Oakland Raiders

Record: Overall, 7-2; West, 2-1

Three division games remaining: at Kansas City, at San Diego at Denver

The skinny: Just rested, baby. Watched and healed Sunday with a bye.

Kansas City Chiefs

Record: Overall, 7-2; West, 2-0

Four division games left: at Denver, vs. Raiders, vs. Broncos, at San Diego.

The skinny: Dangerous team pulled one out late at Carolina on Sunday

Denver Broncos

Record: Overall, 7-3; West 1-2

Three division games: vs. Chiefs, at Kansas City vs. Raiders

The skinny: A time to rest before big showdown with Chiefs.

San Diego Chargers

Record: Overall, 4-6; West 1-3

Two division games left: vs. Raiders vs. Chiefs

The skinny: Another loss Sunday. Good news for the Chargers is they have this week off.