Throughout the entire 2017-18 season, BSN Denver will be giving you game grades from every Denver Broncos contest. Evaluating all of the starters and beyond to give you a better look at the team’s strengths and weaknesses on a game-to-game basis.

After a 42-17 statement win from the Broncos over the Dallas Cowboys, here are our grades in a game that saw lots of standout performances.

Defense

Domata Peko: A+

Peko’s made a huge difference in two weeks. He might not have tons of flash plays, but he’s really made his presence felt against the run, especially early on where he and Adam Gotsis clogged lanes and got penetration to annihilate the best rushing attack in the NFL.

Two-down run stoppers aren’t always essential, but in a game’s like this, against the Cowboys’ all-world running game, his performance was massive.

Derek Wolfe: A

Wolfe looked much better a week later, after looking rusty in Week 1, as he was back to playing his tenacious brand of football. He created good interior pressure early on to force the second third-and-out from the Cowboys and did so by bull rushing all-world left tackle Tyron Smith. While against the run he had a few crucial stops.

Adam Gotsis: A+

After a breakout game Week 1, Gotsis dominated once again. His presence on the line, destroying gaps and creating constant penetration, was beyond impressive against this offensive line.

Gotsis was also crucial in taking advantage of Dallas’ one weak spot on the line at left guard, winning matchups all day long. The second-year player also flipped Zeke in the air to force 3rd-and-1 on the second drive of the game, one of many nasty tone-setting plays he made up front. He also flashed against the pass and was persistent running down plays in pursuit all over the field. An eye-popping performance for the raw youngster who’s starting to look like a star.

Von Miller: A

Miller was again chipped and faced extra blockers while Dallas tried their best to go away from him, leading to a relatively slow start. Maybe showing a little frustration, he was flagged for three different offsides penalties and a questionable roughing the passer.

Dallas could only do so much against Von, and once they got behind in the fourth, there was no escaping the NFL’s best defender. No. 58 created crucial pressures on 4th-and-5 to force a turnover on downs and then had a tip to stop an easy pass to Jason Witten on third down. By the end of it, Miller’s presence was felt as he hit Prescott five different times and kept the pressure on, eventually ending his sack-less streak with two on the day.

Todd Davis: B

Davis’ prowess against the run would have seemingly made him a crucial part of the game plan. Instead, he had no tackles and really wasn’t needed too much as the defensive line made the entire back seven’s job much easier.

He had one flash play bursting up the middle and disrupted a 2nd-and-10 to force third and long, doing a nice job of containing Prescott on a run in the process. In just 16 snaps, he did his job.

Brandon Marshall: B-

Marshall was on the field for 55 snaps and was asked to do a lot. While he might not have been perfect or had lots of flash plays he played a sound game. The few times he was asked to play in coverage on Ezekiel Elliott he did his job and was, as always, trustworthy in coverage. He did get called for a defensive holding but was far from a liability and led the team with seven tackles.

Shaquil Barrett: A+

Barrett’s return to the field has been fantastic, and he was even better this week than in Week 1. He started things off by combining with Wolfe on a stunt to pressure Prescott and force Dallas’ second consecutive three-and-out.

He then ran down Prescott on a scramble to the opposite side of the field and seemed to have maybe hurt him on the play. Shaq also played superbly against the run, leading the team with seven tackles and was a factor creating pressure for most of the game, looking anything but outmatched by all-pro left tackle Tyron Smith.

Darian Stewart: A

Stewart was a solid last line of defense; his best play was a great tackle in space on Zeke to force the Cowboys second three and out. While he allowed a Witten grab on a short gainer, he really didn’t give up much else, anytime he was called on to defend the run or pass he did a fine job.

Justin Simmons: B-

It’s hard to not give Simmons a B, even if he did allow the one Witten touchdown, lost him the tight end on a double move. But ultimately Denver was already leading comfortably, and the mistake wasn’t all that costly.

Simmons was again impressive as the last line of defense and did a nice job the few times he had to come up and tackle in the box, ending up with six tackles. Simmons had a superb play bringing down Terrance Williams in space and preventing a potential big gain. He’s been outstanding as a tackler and good enough in coverage to forgive the TD.

Chris Harris Jr.: A+

Harris is just a uniquely special player, as he covered everyone from Witten to Dez Bryant to Cole Beasly. He made crucial tackles in space and played sticky coverage on everyone he was matched up against, allowing only a few short throws. He eventually found an interception and a nice little return while covering Bryant. The Cowboys had no shot at beating him, and his versatility was key in playing with eight men in the box and lots of man coverage on the back end.

Aqib Talib: A

Talib matched up with Bryant most of the game and battled, eventually winning the head-to-head matchup in runaway fashion.

He allowed Dez’s first touchdown and dropped a couple would-be interceptions that could’ve made the game even more lopsided. To make up for those shortcomings, he drew an offensive pass interference on Dez and then capped the game off with his end-to-end pick six. A ball hawk with Talib’s size and skills was just in a different class for this rudimentary Cowboys passing attack.

Other noteworthy defensive performances

Shelby Harris did a nice job creating interior penetration and disrupting run plays, in 33 snaps he was impactful and has confirmed his usefulness as a rotational member of the D-line.

Bradley Roby played quite well in coverage covering up Witten and Bryant. He closed down on plays in a hurry making clutch tackles and was crucial on fourth down where he was sticky in coverage. Roby was up to the task on everything, having a huge bounce back after a rough Week 1.

Offense

Garett Bolles: B-

Bolles had his best game as a pro, especially to start things off where he was creating push against the run angling off defenders with ease, while also holding his own in pass protection. He looked calmer and more in control than he has thus far in his early career.

The rook, of course, wasn’t perfect allowing a sack on 3rd-and-9 in the post-delay drive. He then allowed another pressure on a crucial 3rd-and-3 in the red zone that forced Siemian to run for the first down as he was flushed out the pocket. His pass protection wasn’t perfect, but he had a really good game run blocking, and it’s a shame he got injured as he’s shown improvements in his early career.

Allen Barbre: A+

Getting this high a grade as a rotational starter on the offensive line is hard to do, but Barbre truly earned it. He manhandled the Cowboys powerful run defense early on creating push and showing exhilarating skills on the move. He also showed himself to be reliable in pass protection. Even more impressive, after Bolles’ injury he was put in at left tackle and didn’t look out of place. Barbre was a true utility player on the line and showed out doing so. A gutsy performance.

Matt Paradis: B+

Paradis doesn’t get enough credit, but he’s a bad man who makes very few mistakes, even if he’s not the biggest and won’t overwhelm many defenders. In pass protection, he closes off interior gaps and is superb helping out his guards, while in the run game he just seals off lanes. Another big performance that was key in Denver’s big day on the ground.

Ronald Leary: A

Leary was himself, setting the tone early in the run game and creating easy push. He did get flagged on a hold, his only blemish in pass protection but his ability to move people and create lanes for the run, especially when the Broncos were pinned back deep inside their own 30, was essential in sustaining Denver’s long drives. His presence has made a big difference for the run game so far this season.

Menelik Watson: C

Watson again struggled in pass protection and was abused by DeMarcus Lawrence on an inside move to force the costly Siemian fumble, gifting the Cowboys a touchdown form the three-yard line. He then allowed another pressure and sack on 3rd-and-9. Watson did flash in the run game and created huge holes at times; he’s certainly more consistent run blocking than protecting his quarterback.

C.J. Anderson: A+

Anderson looked back to the 2014 form that made him one of the NFL’s best running backs in the final eight games of that season. He was powerful, never going down at first contact, was elusive, showed good burst and was lethally quick in the open field.

More than anything, Anderson played with great balance bouncing off tackles and creating tons of big runs, while also always getting positive yardage on the few short down-and-distance runs he had.

He was dynamic as a receiver, too, where he came up with big plays on 3rd and 9 and 3rd and 11.

C.J. simply looked great and found the end zone on several big runs, a big-time performance.

Demaryius Thomas: A

Thomas was again a man among boys and was seemingly impossible to cover for Dallas’ outmatched cornerbacks. His size, speed, and ability to run with the ball really put the Cowboys in a tough spot.

His stats won’t amaze you, but he was the go-to guy and seemingly came up with a big reception every time the offense called on him.

Emmanuel Sanders: A

Sanders was explosive in this game and made his mark when he got the ball. The way in which he shook his defender to catch his second touchdown was absolutely filthy, and he made a great grab on his first TD.

No. 10 made the best of his eight targets and had a major impact.

Virgil Green: A

Green was once again a huge asset as a blocker, especially on the opening drive where his assistance in pass protection on the strong side allowed Denver to create good protection. His impact was also felt in the run game where he created good push.

On Anderson’s big 23-yard touchdown that really stuck the dagger in Dallas, he blocked on a pull as if he was one of the best fullbacks in the NFL. His blocking was superb, making him a major weapon in pass pro and as a run blocker for Denver. Not to mention, he added a touchdown and another nice reception, a true unheralded hero.

Trevor Siemian: A

It is so incredibly hard to play quarterback in the NFL, we see it every Sunday (and Thursday for that matter) and have seen it here in Denver for the last few years. Not Trevor, not this week.

Look, it’s easy to dwell on a couple missed opportunities he didn’t see, or a sack he could’ve avoided, or a the interception on a miscommunication, but in the greater scheme of things none of that mattered. Siemian was in control playing efficiently, throwing it with accuracy.

He again made plays with his legs and simply led the offense like a seasoned vet. His first touchdown was superb, with pinpoint accuracy and touch. He’s been quicker in his decision making and masterful in executing on third down and in the red zone. The kid’s blossoming in front of our eye’s, a beautiful thing to see.

Other noteworthy offensive performances

Jamaal Charles looked good in spot duty on a few outside runs where he won the corner, so far he’s been a good change-of-pace back.

Max Garcia continued alternating with Barbre for most of the game in this one and allowed pressure on the inside flushing Siemian out the pocket. He was better as a run blocker but inconsistent in pass protection.

Conner McGovern played some at right guard today while Leary was sidelined and delivered a key block getting out in space for Anderson’s 23-yard touchdown run.

Special Teams: B-

Special teams weren’t asked to do too much, though they did their part, without any major blemishes.

The biggest issue was Brandon McManus’ first missed field goal that went wide right. Aside from that, Isaiah McKenzie had a nice punt return to get the Broncos at their own 50-yard line, while Cody Latimer avoided disaster recovering his own fumble on a kick return to start the second quarter. The punt unit did a good job as well, allowing only one return for 19 yards while pinned back.

Coaching: A+

The matchups that needed to work out for the Broncos did, and the coaching staff did a great job of making sure their team executed the game plan.

Mike McCoy clearly had a plan on how to utilize Denver’s two talented receivers and took advantage of Dallas’ lack of quality depth at cornerback. Protection again looked good in part thanks to added blockers, and the high tempo the offense used—especially on the early drives—was excellent. Only criticism, it looked like he might have let his foot off the gas when coming back from the weather delay but quickly got back to it.

Joe Woods,  on his end, gave Dak lots of different looks early on, going from dropping eight guys in coverage to staking eight in the box and tempting the young quarterback to test his all-pro cornerbacks on the outside in man coverage. Woods deserves a big pat on the back for how he’s turned around the run defense as well.

Vance Joseph seemingly had few tough decisions to make in the game as things unfolded nicely, but he did have to handle a delay with the storm and did so to perfection keeping the group loose and ready to get back to business.