Broncos Game Grades: Pat Surtain and Justin Simmons steal the show in Denver's win over the Cardinals

DENVER, Colo. — The Broncos got back into the win column on Sunday, taking down the Cardinals 24-15. Both teams are now 4-10.

Here’s how the Broncos graded out:

Offense

QB Brett Rypien – B-

The Broncos’ backup quarterback did everything you could ask of him. He guided Denver’s offense admirably in the second half, and he scored 24 points, the second-most for the Broncos this season.

Rypien worked the underneath parts of the field well. He converted spacing concepts and completed 10 passes to running backs and tight ends.

Rypien’s best play came when he was half-sacked but was able to flip the ball out to a running back to convert a 3rd & 6 before he hit the ground. On the next play, though, Rypien threw a ball up to a double-covered Eric Saubert in the end zone. The pass was picked off. Rypien thought he had a free play, but didn’t.

RB Latavius Murray – A+

Maybe I’ve gone soft on the grades, but I’m giving the vet a perfect score. In eight NFL seasons, Latavius Murray had never earned a game ball until Sunday.

Murray ran for 130 yards on 24 carries, and he also caught a 12-yard pass. His 10-yard touchdown run came on one of his several great cutbacks during the game. Murray is running like somebody a decade younger.

RB Marlon Mack – A

On Sunday, Marlon Mack became the fourth Bronco with multiple touchdowns this season. He drove in a four-yarder, and finished with 37 yards on five runs. He also caught four balls fo 26 yards.

TE Greg Dulcich – C

Greg Dulcich wasn’t perfect as a blocker, but he was able to hold his own. He made good blocks on two screen passes. Both could have been sustained longer, but both count as wins. He only caught one ball on Sunday, though.

TE Eric Tomlinson – A

The touchdown catch is the headline for Eric Tomlinson, but he was effective on other plays, too. He had a big catch that set up Marlon Mack’s touchdown and also made a kick-out block that helped Mack into the end zone.

WR Jerry Jeudy – B

Jerry Jeudy was the clear top option for Brett Rypien. The first two plays of the game were designed to get the ball into Jeudy’s hands. He was a frequent target in important moments, like when he made a catch on the sideline near midfield when the Broncos were trying to score before the half or when he tapped his toes at the sticks on a second-half 3rd & 9.

The raw numbers are nothing special. He caught seven balls for 76 yards and didn’t score. But it was a solid day for the Broncos’ top receiver.

(He also made a crucial block on the Broncos’ third touchdown, a 10-yard run from Latavius Murray.)

WR Brandon Johnson – C+

60% of the snaps. 3 catches. 30 yards. Not bad at all for the undrafted rookie.

That’s a huge improvement from his 0-fer last week.

WR Freddie Swain – C

The 24-year-old receiver joined the Broncos less than a week before Sunday’s game and was able to help out. That’s impressive. But catching one pass for nine yards will always be disappointing for a receiver who is on the field for more than half of the offensive game. Freddie Swain’s best play was a clean block on the edge that allowed Latavius Murray to cut behind him for a 35-yard gain.

LT Cam Fleming – C

The Broncos’ veteran tackle gave up a sack to J.J. Watt to start the Broncos’ fourth drive. he gave up a sack to Markus Golden before halftime. The Broncos also ran to his outside shoulder over and over again for good reason.

LG Dalton Risner – B+

Dalton Risner’s biggest impact on Sunday was as a puller. He made a few plays pulling from his guard and cleaning up defenders in the hole, including one on the first drive and one to open up the hole on Marlon Mack’s short touchdown run late in the game. He was beaten on a spin move just before halftime, but another lineman gave up the sack first, so it didn’t affect the game.

C Graham Glasgow – C+

Graham Glasgow was very solid for the most part. He made a couple of good blocks on screens. He made the key block on Latavius Murray’s 10-yard touchdown run. He made a couple of mistakes in pass protection, though, including giving up a sack to J.J. Watt.

RG Tom Compton – F

I hate to kick a guy while he’s down, but Tom Compton’s 30 snaps in Sunday’s game didn’t go well. He gave up a trio of sacks, including a strip sack. He gave up a tackle for loss on a toss, despite the play going to the other side of the field. Lining up across from J.J. Watt isn’t fun, but Compton was beaten cleanly too often.

RG Luke Wattenberg – C-

It’s been a tough rookie season for Luke Wattenberg but he took a step in the right direction on Sunday. He had a good fourth-quarter block to create a lane for a six-yard run. He also gave a sack late in the third quarter.

RT Billy Turner – B-

The Broncos’ right tackle was stellar in pass protection. He gave up a tackle for loss to start the third drive but was mostly solid in the run game as well. He put his man on his ass in the hole at the end of the first half, setting up a 20-yard gain.

Do we actually give Turner positive marks for letting his man flin Bretty Rypien around and spark the Mahomes pass?

Defense

DL D.J. Jones – B-

The Broncos’ massive nose tackle swatted away a ball early in the game, but didn’t make much noise the rest of the way. His second-best play was probably a run stuff later in the game when the back ran past him but Jones was able to trip him up.

DL DeShawn Williams – A+

It might be time for a DeShawn Williams conversation.

Three weeks ago, the 29-year-old was an easy scouting report. He was a solid run-stuffing defensive lineman who is a solid starter in the NFL. He was maybe a little undersized. He didn’t provide much as a pass-rusher. But he was definitely a starting defensive lineman in the NFL.

Now, he looks like a game-wrecker. Take a peak at the stats:

5 tackles.
2.5 sacks.
4 quarterback hits.
2 tackles for loss.
All on Sunday.

That’s a hell of a game. And he had a two-sack performance against the Ravens two weeks ago, too.

Williams has eight sacks in his eight-year career. Those numbers include his 4.5 sacks in the last three weeks.

OLB Baron Browning – C

A half-sack split with DeShawn Williams saves Baron Browning’s day. He was the Broncos’ lead outside linebacker by snap count but didn’t make any other tackles despite providing a couple of pressures.

OLB Jonathan Cooper – B-

The splash plays weren’t there but Jonathan Cooper held his own. He deserves an assist for forcing the quarterback to step up into the arms of DeShawn Williams for a sack.

LB Josey Jewell – B+

Just a good, clean game from the heart of the Broncos’ defense. Jewell had the most tackles in the game.

LB Alex Singleton – A-

Alex Singleton is still on his way to the biggest tackle total for a Bronco in the past decade and a half. He hit the quarterback on the Broncos’ first interception of the game. He was a menace on special teams.

CB Pat Surtain II – A+

I debated taking the plus away from Pat Surtain, but couldn’t quite justify it. He gave up a 16-yard deep out to DeAndre Hopkins early in the second quarter. He also gave up a six-yard slant before the half. The rest of the day was flawless, though. He didn’t give up another catch, and he sealed the game with his second interception in two weeks.

CB Damarri Mathis – A+

Damarri Mathis played another great game on Sunday. He made a sharp break on the ball at the start of the third game to knock a ball away on the sideline. He just about picked it off. He had a great cover deep downfield that forced a fourth-quarter punt deep in Arizona territory.

The best part: Mathis didn’t allow a catch all day.

The Broncos might have found a stud in the fourth round.

CB K’Waun Williams – B

K’Waun Williams crashed in to blow up a screen play and added a few other tackles. He gave up a few short gains in coverage but mostly had a clean day.

S Justin Simmons – A+

Two interceptions means A+. Simple as that.

S Kareem Jackson – C+

The vet did his thing. He made a couple of tackles. He gave up a couple of catches. But if giving up an 18-yarder to DeAndre Hopkins is your worst paly by a mile, it can’t be that bad of a day.

Special Teams

K Brandon McManus – D-

A 52-yarder and three successful extra points don’t wipe out a missed 38-yarder.

We won’t give him the full F though. He could’ve missed again.

P Corliss Waitman – B+

44.8 yards per punt is weak, but when three of five stick inside the 20 that’s no big deal.

RET Montrell Washington – D+

The muffed punt overshadows and otherwise good day for the rookie returner.