Throughout the entire 2020-21 season, DNVR will be giving you game grades from every Denver Broncos’ contest. Evaluating all the starters and beyond to give you a better look at the team’s strengths and weaknesses on a game-by-game basis.

In a 28-10 defeat that felt out of reach midway through the first quarter, the Denver Broncos played a lifeless game with zero swings in momentum. At times, it felt like watching a preseason game where the Broncos fielded their second and third units while the Buccaneers still had the starters in.

Regardless of how the game played out, though, there were plenty of noteworthy performances, good, bad, and ugly.

Standouts 

Shelby Harris: A

Harris has played like a man possessed in 2020, dominating against the run, swatting passes at the line — and in Week 3, creating penetration to get his first two sacks of the year.  Additionally, Harris recorded an absurd four hits on the quarterback to round out what was a truly dominant showing. Had he played more than 57 percent of the snaps in the contest, his grade would have been even higher.

Harris and the front three’s consistent dominance against the run shouldn’t go unnoticed. They’ve been an elite unit through three weeks and big No. 96 is the main reason why. Making plays in the backfield, swatting balls at the line of scrimmage, Harris has been one of Denver’s most consistent and timely players in each of the three games so far.

They’ll need him to keep it up moving forward — especially with so many guys now sidelined with injuries.

Jurell Casey: B+

Prior to suffering an injury, Casey played his best game yet as a Bronco. He proved to be an immovable force against the run, generating two run stuffs, and also rushing Tom Brady for a QB hit.

Michael Ojemudia: A

Denver’s young rookie had a strong bounce-back performance, playing a flawless game against Pittsburgh after having a day to forget in Week 2.

While playing 97 percent of the defensive snaps, Ojemudia was targeted six times, allowing just two completions for 14 yards and shutting down everyone he covered in the game. The Iowa man was also great defending the run out on the perimeter, as he recorded a tackle for loss on Sunday.

Jerry Jeudy: B-

Jeudy didn’t get many quality targets in the first three quarters but he came alive once Brett Rypien was brought in to the game. With a QB making more decisive decisions and actually getting rid of the football, Jeudy got to show that he has the quickness to create separation with ease.

In total, the rookie out of Alabama finished with four receptions for 62 yards. He was targeted seven times on the day.

Defense

Mike Purcell: B+

Purcell was a catalyst stopping the run, often shooting gaps and forcing backs to adjust and allowing a teammate to get a tackle for a loss or run stop. A very impactful outing playing a season-high 69-percent of the snaps.

Bradley Chubb: B

Chubb still isn’t playing his best but had a strong outing against the Bucs  — playing excellent defense out on the edge against the run and generating a bit more pressure with a sack (even if he wasn’t credited with one), a quarterback hurry, and a tackle for a loss.

Alexander Johnson: C+

Johnson did a good job in coverage, conceding three receptions on five targets for a total of 29 yards. He was reliable plugging gaps against the run as well, generating a run stuff in the game. He was solid, nothing more.

Josey Jewell: D-

Jewell had his worst game as a starter as he struggled to keep Rob Gronkowski in check throughout. Jewell allowed five receptions for 84 yards in the game. Worse yet, he had Ronald Jones by the ankle on a 3rd-and-1 run, and rather than pulling him down for a key stop, he let the back through for another nine yards. It was a rough outing for the former Iowa Hawkeye.

Jeremiah Attaochu: C

Attaochu started off well with a tackle for a loss and run stuff later on. He was also reliable in coverage, allowing 24 yards on three receptions. His lack of impact rushing the passer limits his grade here but it wasn’t a bad day.

Bryce Callahan: B

Callahan had a strong outing once again, proving more and more that he’s just fine as an outside corner. He showcased strong tackling against the run, even generating a  run stop, and only allowed two catches for 20 yards on four targets.

Kareem Jackson: B

Jackson was a presence against the run and in coverage over the middle, allowing just one grab for six yards on the day while producing 1.5 run stuffs.

Justin Simmons: D

Simmons didn’t necessarily play badly — he was simply asked to do a lot and ended up on the wrong end of the majority of the Bucs big plays. He got caught in coverage on a pair of one-yard touchdowns and was also beat deep on a 47-yard bomb over the middle.

Generally, Simmons was in the right position most of the game, and he was able to limit some big plays. However, conceding five receptions for 69 yards and two touchdowns isn’t exactly a successful day — not for a guy that is playing for a long-term deal this fall.

Other noteworthy defensive performances

Essang Bassey struggled on the day, getting beat on a couple of key receptions, as his instincts and reaction time have understandably been a bit slow the last two games. He was used as the nickel corner 57 percent of the defensive snaps.

Offense

Garett Bolles: D+

Bolles was far from perfect and he never got to showcase the run blocking prowess we saw in Week 2. Without that impact as a run blocker, the quarterback hit he allowed on a key early third down and holding call later in the game weighs more heavily on his performance though. We’ll see how he responds on a short week.

Dalton Risner: D+

Like Bolles, Risner was beat on an early thrid down for a QB hit. The second-year left guard hasn’t played very efficiently in pass protection. Nor has he been very smooth with his movements. The power in Tampa’s front definitely gave him trouble — though he was at least able to avoid penalties.

Lloyd Cushenberry III: F

While he hasn’t had any issues snapping the ball, Cushenberry was overwhelmed by Vita Vea’s power for most of the game. He got destroyed on the sack that led to the safety. He also got beat on a tackle for a loss, conceded a second sack later on, and struggled to create much push for the run game. It was a less-than-stellar day for the up-and-coming anchor of Denver’s offensive line.

Graham Glasgow: F

Glasgow really struggled with Vea and the rest of Tampa’s beefy line, getting beat for a sack and flagged twice — once for holding, and another time for an illegal block in the back. He had issues as a run blocker as well, conceding a tackle for a loss.

Elijah Wilkinson: F

Wilkinson had an impossible matchup with Shaq Barrett and unsurprisingly was beaten multiple times for negative plays. His performance might’ve looked worse with all the unblocked blitzes getting through on the strong side — which isn’t all his fault — but Wilkinson lost plenty of one-on-one matchups to deserve the failing grade.

K.J. Hamler: C

When Hamler could get the ball in space, he looked the part as a dynamic athlete who can gain separation with ease. Unfortunately, not all of his five targets were on the money.

Noah Fant: B-

Just plays before Denver gave up the safety to Shaq Barrett, Fant had a key drop that would’ve allowed the Broncos to convert a first down and not be stuck deep in their own territory.

Fant also got beat pass blocking, and allowed a strip sack — but as a target in the passing game, he excelled, demonstrating an ability to get open with ease and generate extra yardage after the catch.

Melvin Gordon: C-

With the Broncos down early, Gordon only got eight carries. He did not do much with his six targets in the passing game either.

Jeff Driskel: F

Driskel was befuddled by the constant pressure the Buccaneers brought and has shown a key flaw in his inability to read blitzes pre-snap.

Beyond his issues reading the blitz, Driskel lacked the timing nuances required to play QB; when he needed to sell a play-action fake, he instead rushed it and immediately gave away the play. And when he needed to hurry up, he was painfully slow.

Ultimately, Driskel’s athleticism is nice, he’s tough in the pocket, and he has shown the flashes with his arm. But the ability to put the Broncos in good situations was a real struggle for him all game. It’s safe to say his role as the interim starter is in jeopardy moving forward.

Brett Rypien: INC

Rypien injected Denver’s offense with tempo and decisiveness. The zip on his arm and precise footwork were both encouraging signs.

Other noteworthy defensive performances

Tim Patrick found ways to get open underneath and produced a key penalty. He’s adding nuance to his route running which is fun to see.

Special Teams: D

Once again, special teams were more of a negative than a positive, immediately putting Denver’s defense on the back foot with a blocked Sam Martin punt.

Coaching: D

It’s a hard performance to grade from the coaching staff, and not just because all the best players are injured, but also because there was a wide gap in how the offense and defense played.

All considered, Vic Fangio‘s defense was sharp and didn’t get any help from the aforementioned special teams or Pat Shurmur‘s offense.

Shurmur has to find a way for blitzes to not derail the entire game plan. Plus, Driskel was never in third and manageable situations. He faced eight third downs of eight yards or more and only one third-and-medium or short.

There was no attempt to play Canadian football and avoid third downs all together, there was no diversity in the running game or exploiting Driskel’s mobility. In a kitchen sink type game, the staff seemed too content with playing a respectable ‘bend don’t break’ type game plan.