Broncos Roll Over the Jets

Quarterback Neil O’Donnell, who signed a five-year, $25-million free-agent contract with the New York Jets, was sacked eight times, fumbled twice and had one pass intercepted Sunday, and the Denver Broncos took advantage of the miscues to forge a 31-6 victory.

O’Donnell and backup Frank Reich were sacked nine times, one shy of the Denver record. The Broncos had only 30 sacks all last season.

John Elway threw two touchdown passes, Terrell Davis ran for another and wide receiver Anthony Miller scored on a 26-yard reverse.

When tackles John Elliott and David Williams didn’t start because of injuries, the Jets had three new starters in the offensive line, two playing new positions.

The Broncos converted three second-quarter turnovers into 17 points during a 24-point quarter that produced a 31-0 halftime lead. Denver had 244 yards at halftime, New York 33.

“What can you say? It was ugly,” said O’Donnell, who played three quarters and completed seven of 13 passes for 50 yards.

Elway was 16 for 33 for 183 yards, with two interceptions.

“It was like a flash fire today,” Jet Coach Rich Kotite said. “We gave the game away early. We took it right on the chin.

“[O’Donnell] couldn’t do it himself. He got hit countless times. He didn’t have the luxury of escaping and looking . . . downfield.”