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 game for the ages, well maybe not really, but at least with constant action and entertainment, the Broncos found a way to prevail 37-28 over the lowly New York Jets with inspired performances across the board and plenty of duds as well.

As always, here’s who stood out.

Standouts

Bradley Chubb: A

Chubb was rock solid, playing with great effort on a season-high 59 defensive snaps. It all started with his strength setting the edge against the run and generating a run stuff.

But make no mistake, this grade was earned for his efforts off the edge against backup left tackle, Conor McDermott, where Chubb dominated to the tune of 2.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries, hitting Sam Darnold for a grand total of five times.

Chubb’s ability to dominate the backup tackle and attack the line on stunts really gave the Jets issues.

Josey Jewell: A

Jewell was incredible, playing 95% of the defensive snaps and impacting the passing game in a major way. Whether in coverage, allowing just two receptions for 11 yards on six targets, or pressuring Darnold to the tune of two sacks, he was unstoppable.

Jewell also created penetration against the run for 2.5 tackles for a loss, showing outstanding quickness to shed blocks and quickly get into the backfield.

Tim Patrick: B+

Patrick might’ve had two costly drops but he was also involved in almost every big throw that kept the Broncos offense on time. His footwork and long speed on deep balls were on full display as he made natural over the shoulder grabs with regularity.

Brett Rypien: B-

Rypien played a game that was riddled with mistakes and almost let the Jets back in with some horrendous turnovers, not to mention he could’ve easily had another two interceptions beyond the three he threw. But Rypien battled, he hung tough and most of all he made tough throws on key downs to keep the Broncos offense moving.

If not for Rypien’s ability to avoid pressure, avoiding a single sack and only getting penalized once for intentional grounding, added to his cold-blooded approach on third-and-medium converting five-of-six opportunities, the Broncos wouldn’t have had a shot at winning.

Defense

Mike Purcell: B

Purcell was on fire early on, generating a TFL and flying around making plays in pursuit. Playing 62 percent of the snaps, his effort was key in holding New York’s running backs to 45-yards combined.

Shelby Harris: B+

Despite dealing with a litany of injuries in this one, Harris was a force, generating a hurry, two QB hits, a half-sack, and a run stuff. Despite the injuries, he still appeared in 71 percent of the snaps and manhandled the Jets’ interior line.

Alexander Johnson: B-

Johnson had a solid bounce-back game, playing much better in all phases. He got back to being an asset blitzing up the middle and creating a sack, while also returning to be a force against the run with a run stuff and a tackle for loss. He picked it up in coverage too, conceding 26 yards on three receptions off of four targets.

His only blemish came early as he couldn’t bring Darnold down for a sack on 3rd-and-7 allowing the QB to escape for his 46-yard TD run.

Malik Reed: C

Reed played a lot (74 percent of the defensive snaps) and was solid in all phases though far from dominant as a pass rusher.

Bryce Callahan: B

Callahan made some key tackles in the open field including a nice run stuff. While he wasn’t exactly lockdown in coverage he avoided giving up any big plays against a lackluster group of Jets wideouts. He ended the day allowing five catches for 45 yards on eight targets, a solid showing.

Michael Ojemudia: B

Ojemudia showed physicality at the line in press, fluidity in coverage staying with the Jets wideouts stride-for-stride, and nice ball skills. Conceding just four receptions for 36 yards on seven targets, he was almost flawless if not for a very questionable pass interference penalty.

Kareem Jackson: B+

If not for getting beat on a really tough contested catch by Jamison Crowder, pulling down a pass as Denver’s No. 22 had an armbar right across his helmet, Jackson was nails, playing well in coverage and filling gaps against the run.

Justin Simmons: C+

Simmons was hardly tested in coverage allowing just one short three-yard grab, however, he did have a key missed tackle on Darnold in the open field as the Jets QB ran for 46 yards on his way to the opening score. As a last line of defense, Simmons has to do better.

Other noteworthy defensive performances

De’Vante Bausby had a huge game with three pass deflections on seven targets, only allowing four receptions for 30 yards while appearing in 50% of the defensive snaps.

Essang Bassey got picked on a bit, allowing 57 yards receiving on four receptions, as the Jets strength at slot receiver tested the undrafted rookie.

McTelvin Agim had some excellent flashes with both a run stuff and a quarterback hurry in the second half. A very encouraging sign for the talented but raw defensive lineman.

Offense

Garett Bolles: A

Bolles set the tone early with an awesome run block at the second level to get the opening fist down and was damn near flawless from there on out, even keeping his cool against a dirty Jets front.

Playing every single snap, Bolles avoided any negative plays, playing penalty-free and being the only member of the offensive line to not allow a tackle for a loss or run stop.

Dalton Risner: F

Risner struggled consistently in pass protection when having to take lineman on one-on-one, as Quinnen Williams killed him all game. Risner was also consistently slow reacting to stunts and ended up allowing a run stop and three tackles for a loss.

Lloyd Cushenberry III: D

Denver’s rookie center made a key play swatting a potential interception out of a lineman’s hands in what should’ve been Rypien’s fourth interception. That aside, he wasn’t always clean, getting overpowered for two run stops and allowing a few too many quarterback pressures.

Graham Glasgow: F

If Risner’s issues were in pass pro and stopping stunts, Glasgow was too slow getting out on the move on pull blocks, conceding three run stops and getting flagged for holding. For what should be the veteran anchor of the line that’s just not going to cut it.

Demar Dotson: C

Dotson was a bit stiff in space getting beat on two separate TFLs as a run blocker but he did use his frame well and kept the pressure off the right edge to a minimum. A huge win.

Jerry Jeudy: B+

Jeudy didn’t have a ton of opportunities with just two receptions on four targets but when given a chance he did come down with an insane contested touchdown grab that swung the momentum of the game in a major way.

Noah Fant: C

Fant was banged up in this one but did have an impact in the short passing game creating extra yards after the catch.

Melvin Gordon: B+

It wasn’t always pretty for Gordon, who had a drop and plenty of runs that didn’t really go anywhere but he closed out the game with a backside run that was all on him. He also ran tough down in the red zone and did enough to help Rypien out.

Other noteworthy defensive performances

K.J. Hamler drew a key pass interference early in the game to convert third down.

DaeSean Hamilton did haul in a nice grab on third down but his game will be defined by his missed opportunity on what should’ve been a long-bomb touchdown.

Special Teams: A

Finally, the special teams unit had a positive contribution as Diontae Spencer had a 41-yard return and Brandon McManus was from 50-yards out going three-for-three on the day with some clutch kicks.

Coaching: B

Look, this was a sloppy game with both offenses benefitting from undisciplined defensive penalties that extended drives. There isn’t anything grandiose from a game-plan standpoint that made a huge difference but the personnel decision such as Dotson starting at right tackle and Bausby seeing more snaps at corner did prove key for Vic Fangio.

The offensive game plan from Pat Shurmur did allow the Broncos to stay on time and avoid third-down situations. I also loved seeing the Jeff Driskel RPO play call.