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 hard-fought but ultimately losing effort at the Kansas City Chiefs (29-19), we had to dig into what happened in this uneven performance from the Denver Broncos. Here we go.

Defense

Domata Peko: A

Peko’s ability to stuff gaps was crucial as always up the middle and a big reason Denver was able to stifle the Chiefs explosive running game. He also played some end and, as always, chased runs outside while showing deceptive mobility for his size.

On top of that, he came through with a fumble recovery. A big-time performance.

Derek Wolfe: A

Wolfe was imposing up front in this one, playing his best game of the year. His impact against the run was constant, but it’s in creating pressure up the middle where he truly stood out. Wolfe was crucial in flushing Alex Smith out of the pocket multiple times, forcing the Chiefs quarterback to throw it out of bounds.

He also was out in space closing down on a Kareem Hunt screen. He unexpectedly lined up a decent amount out wide and had a very impactful game rushing the passer and stuffing the run. No. 95’s two negative plays were a defensive holding flag and an encroachment on 3rd-and-10 that led to the Chiefs first conversion of the half and ultimately put the game out of reach.

Regardless, Wolfe showed the kind of heart, tenacity, leadership, and talent he has in this game. He was a force.

Adam Gotsis: B-

This was a quiet game for Gotsis good or bad. He did stand out in one particularly authoritative stop against the run, as Hunt ran into him like a brick wall, with No. 99 took him down immediately for no gain.

His performance was overshadowed by Shelby Harris’ (read below).

Von Miller: B

Von was put in space unblocked on a read-option play as he came down on Smith who handed it off to Hunt getting a moderate gain. Aside from that, Von was up to his usual, getting tackles for a loss against the run and creating pressure. He did jump offsides (kind of) and seemed to be pressing a bit to make something happen. A good game, even great for a regular NFL player but nothing special for Von’s standards.

Zaire Anderson: C

Appearing in 26 snaps, Anderson managed three tackles, all against the run. His best play was closing down on a gang tackle for a loss with Brandon Marshall and Wolfe. In zone coverage, he couldn’t close down on Travis Kelce fast enough in the first half who got open on a quick hitter up the seam that went right over the former Huskers head.

Brandon Marshall: A

Marshall was fantastic in this game, and you could tell he was on top of things right from the start; when Smith tested him on a Hunt wheel route down the sideline where he ran stride for stride with the rookie sensation.

He did a nice job when in coverage underneath on Kelce and tackled him immediately on the one option run the big tight end had. Against the run is where Marshall was truly phenomenal, closing gaps up the middle and tackling with violent efficiency. He was all over the field making plays.

It looked like he might have been beaten by Kelce on a crosser over the middle while in zone coverage as the tight end exited his zone but it’s hard to fault him much when he had such a fine performance otherwise.

Shane Ray: C+

In his first game back, Ray looked good—all things considered—and appeared in 56 snaps, probably more than expected. He created some pressure but was also flagged on a neutral zone infraction and caught in space on one of those dreaded option-read plays. More importantly, he missed a tackle out in the flats on Hunt, gifting a first down.

A good first game back but No. 56’s still got a ways to go.

Darian Stewart: C+

Stewart struggled early on, as he first missed a tackle on Hunt in the flats allowing an extra 4-5 yard gain, and then, of course, was beaten on a slant-and-go by Kelce who dominated him with ease to get the first offensive TD of the game.

Stewart redeemed himself, making a crucial interception in the end zone when Denver needed it most, down 14-0. He then did a nice job closing down on a would-be touchdown that was bobbled and then knocked out as Stewart flew in to make a play late in the game.

The scheme left him out to dry on the touchdown, but he never quit and played well from there on.

Justin Simmons: B-

Simmons had an up and down game. He was late to the ball on 3rd-and-2 and then made a late hit that got flagged for targeting a defenseless receiver – regardless of what you feel about the hit he was late closing on that play.

He then missed a tackle on a Smith scramble to the edge where he could’ve had a tackle for a loss. Instead, Smith won the edge and got within two yards of the end zone. He did make a great tackle the very next play, handling Hunt in space with ease and bringing him down for a loss of yards. Simmons also made a nice play on Charcandrick West out on a dump off forcing a three-and-out midway through the third quarter. While he’s still not perfect, he’s playing better, and his talents are starting to shine through.

While he’s still not perfect, he’s playing better, and his talents are starting to shine through.

Chris Harris Jr.: B+

Harris was simply beat by Tyreek Hill down the sideline who was able to win right off the release but was luckily overthrown by Smith. Covering Hill a decent amount, he handled things well after that.

Harris also stood out with a great tackle of Hunt on the sideline forcing little to no gain. Really a massive tackle from a corner who’s giving up 15-20 pounds to the Chiefs running back.

Aqib Talib: A

Tyreek Hill caught a pass on Talib on a deep crosser but No. 21’s coverage was perfect; he just didn’t turn his head around in time to make a play or even see the throw. After that, Talib played a decent amount of coverage on the diminutive and speedy Hill and did a fine job. He almost got an interception on a low throw to the ground completely blanketing one of the league’s most devastating playmakers.

He’s special, no other way to put it.

Other noteworthy defensive performances: 

Will Parks struggled with Kelce in coverage some. Especially when lined up one-on-one on he allowed a crucial first down grab by the tight end who gave him lots of issues.

Shaquil Barrett came up with a crucial strip-sack, beating Eric Fisher off the bat and slapping the ball out right as he made contact with Smith. A spectacular play.

Shelby Harris was huge against the run in this game, playing 30 snaps and making a big impact. He had three different stops against the run for a loss or no gain. He created pressure and made tackles when he was around the play. A really underrated but great game.

Offense

Garett Bolles: C+

Bolles continues to have uneven performances. The athleticism’s there, the run blocking flashes are too, but the negative plays continue to stand out.

First, Bolles was smoked off the edge by Justin Houston who hit Siemian hard on 3rd-and-7, then he was flagged for holding on third down while Siemian was scrambling and trying to extend the play. They’re not huge mistakes, he’s had worse games, but in an offense that’s desperate for any spark those negative plays weigh heavily.

Max Garcia: C

Garcia didn’t show up as much for his negative plays on film and has outplayed Allen Barbre the last couple weeks. He might not be as efficient a run blocker, but he’s avoided mistakes. He did allow pressure up the middle from Chris Jones on the Trevor pick that he threw across his body that basically ended the game. In 29 snaps, he was acceptable.

Allen Barbre: D

Barbre’s struggles continue after a positive early stretch to start the year. He allowed pressure and looked like he got away with a hold on Siemian’s first pick to Marcus Peters. Then, Barbre was beaten by Bennie Logan up the middle forcing a tackle for a loss on Jamaal Charles who was able to fight his way to the line of scrimmage.

He did have a nice run block to the second level on Bookers 26 yard gain, but still not enough.

Matt Paradis: B

Paradis played better. He was solid run blocking especially and efficient in assisting in pass pro up the middle against the Chiefs depleted front.

Ronald Leary: A

Leary’s impact run blocking was big-time as he opened up some massive holes. None bigger than the one he created on Devontae Booker’s touchdown run, as he simply pushed Derrick Johnson into the end zone opening up an ally that left Book untouched. In pass protection, he played well and nullified Jones’ impact significantly.

Leary was sidelined at the end of the game which has been an issue, but when he played, he was great.

Menelik Watson: C

Even if he’s become a bit of a punching bag and continues to play unevenly at best, Watson’s return did prove that he’s the best the Broncos got at his position.

He did struggle with Houston in this one, allowing an early sack and really putting up little resistance as the veteran pass rusher beat him off the edge, knocked his hands down and was in the backfield in a flash. Watson was also called on a hold on one of C.J. Anderson’s best runs that was called back.

Those two plays aside, he was okay, though the negative plays just keep mounting.

C.J. Anderson: B-

C.J. was back in this one, churning out positive yards on a consistent basis and running tough up the middle. He’s still lacking explosive big runs but he was efficient gaining 5.2 yards per carry.

Demaryius Thomas: C+

DT got open with ease on KC’s No. 2 cornerback Kenneth Acker who couldn’t cover him. He was able to get open a couple times underneath for 15-yard gainers and then drew a pass interference penalty. When that matchup was there, Thomas did his thing, when it wasn’t, he was fairly absent and too easily limited without the danger of Emmanuel Sanders opposite him.

Bennie Fowler: D

Fowler didn’t play well enough, and the dropped touchdown ball that was right in his gut will stick out as the big play he didn’t make in this contest. On six targets, he made two grabs, and two of those were drops.

Bennie did have a great run off a quick dump off weaving through defenders for a 29 yard gain that was one missed tackle away from being a huge touchdown.

His play hasn’t been good enough since Sanders’ injury, he just hasn’t stepped up, or even met expectations.

Virgil Green: C

Green made a crucial grab on 3rd-and-1, in a very surprising empty backfield spread formation. He also battled as a blocker but couldn’t contain Houston down in the red zone who was able to make a shoestring tackle on Booker to avoid a Broncos touchdown.

Virgil also dropped a pass that was on his hands and could’ve been a big 2nd-and-7 conversion early on.

The offensive woes aren’t on him, but even he could do more.

Trevor Siemian: D

In the first half, Siemian was hard to watch. His footing was almost always backloaded, regardless of if he was under pressure or not, and this led to tons of inaccurate throws.

The first interception to Peters was mind-boggling and inexplicable, it’s hard to understand why he keeps trying these passes that he has no business making.

In the second half, things were a little better, and his footwork was a bit more balanced. Ultimately, though, accuracy was a big issue and Trevor really only found success on play-action passes. He sailed and threw balls short seemingly all game. His second interception, intended for Jordan Taylor, was another head scratcher as he had room to run for the first down but instead tried to throw a bomb downfield that went into the cornerbacks’ hands.

In fairness, he put together a decent drive late and threw a gem of a touchdown that was dropped by Fowler. Aside from that, Siemian had few redeeming moments. The crazy interception throw across his body was the cherry on top of a poor performance with far too many costly errors.

Siemian was not playing within himself and was obviously forcing things. He wasn’t even playing with sound or consistent mechanics. This was likely his worst game of the season because it had so few redeeming moments or even individual throws.

Other noteworthy offensive performances:  

A.J. Derby caught the late touchdown on a tough adjustment mid-air turning the cornerback around.

Devontae Booker had a big gain in the third quarter for 26 yards off the left side and then had the touchdown run. He keeps on looking good.

Jamaal Charles was on a roll, getting a big gain for 18 yards early on, seeming elusive and explosive. He had another nice run and then fumbled it for the Peters early touchdown on his third carry as he tried to fight for extra yardage. Things went south from there.

Special Teams: D

Special teams once again had more of a negative than positive impact, with the big negative mark coming on Isaiah McKenzie’s muffed punt to start the second half right after a clutch three-and-out by the defense. The punting unit, in general, wasn’t good as they almost allowed a big Hill return off a poor first Riley Dixon punt that was luckily called back due to a holding penalty on the Chiefs.

The Broncos punt return team was also flagged for holding on a McKenzie kick return with less than seven minutes remaining in the fourth which pinned Denver inside their own 20-yard line. Cody Latimer also bobbled a kick return that looked promising but went nowhere as he struggled to grasp the ball.

On a positive note, Brandon McManus managed to make his two field goal attempts.

When the offense is struggling, and the defense needs a pick me up that’s when special teams have to step up, and they haven’t done that since the blocked field goal Week 1.

Coaching: B-

At first, it looked like Andy Reid took these coaches to school but as the game went on things changed.

Mike McCoy’s plan on offense was unspectacular and probably still lacking some of the formational variety we saw the first couple weeks. The commitment to stick to the run was great, and the offense actually outgained Reid’s vaunted unit 364 yards to 276. There were a few odd play calls like going spread out in an empty backfield on 3rd-and-1 in the red zone, and then doing the same on the two-point conversion.

Joe Woods’ decision to leave Kelce in single man coverage out on the sideline with no help over the top on your slowest safety is a baffling decision. Leaving Kelce in man coverage as much as he was, in general, was troubling. At one point, Hill was left completely wide open. The lack of zone defensive looks to try and limit some of the plays from the Chiefs playmakers was surprising. But ultimately Woods’ plan to stop the run worked and aside from miscues covering Kelce the coverage was solid.

Vance Joseph’s frustration on the sideline was evident as the team kept shooting themselves in the foot, but you have to admire his resiliency in a game that they kept fighting in. The first signs after the bad shutout loss to the Los Angeles Chargers were encouraging considering the setting and opponent they took on.