Eddie Royal's three-game total (six catches, 42 yards, no touchdowns) is less than what plenty of people expected from him each game this season. It's not like Royal doesn't fit in the offense. He looked good in training camp and in each of Denver's first three preseason games he had at least four catches and 44 yards. And in the preseason starters don't play the entire game.

Yet, the regular season is three weeks old and everyone is curious where Royal has gone. His best game is three catches for 20 yards. On Sunday at Oakland he had one catch for 4 yards. Against the Raiders, the Broncos worked the middle of the field instead of challenging Oakland's cornerbacks, which explains why Brandon Marshall and Jabar Gaffney were featured instead of Royal.

Each week the coaches have explained that they have plenty of receivers who deserve playing time. The plan won't cater to one player, and passes won't be forced in if someone is covered. So it's apparently nothing Royal is doing wrong, it's that it just hasn't been his week to shine yet.

"I don't think he's not open, just certain plays have gone the opposite direction from him," offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said.

On the other side, Marshall seems to be coming on. The Broncos got favorable matchups against Marshall by lining him up tight and working him across the middle against a safety or linebacker. He was matched up against a linebacker on his touchdown catch and was wide open. Although the plan will change from week to week, Marshall appears to be the standard top option and should only get better as he gets more comfortable with Kyle Orton and the offense.

"I've always been the same," Marshall said after Sunday's game. "I've never gone anywhere. Just excited about going 3-0 and preparing for Dallas this week."

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