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.
What a difference a half can make. From looking absolutely lost and outclassed by the 2-and-4 Los Angeles Chargers through 2.5 quarters to suddenly finding an offensive rhythm and storming back for an improbable 31-30 win, the Broncos looked like two different teams.
With all that, there was plenty to analyze with these grades, here’s how everyone faired.
Standouts from the game
Bryce Callahan: A++
One of only three defensive starters to play every single snap, Callahan was on a mission, allowing a single reception for three-yards while flattening the receiver immediately after the catch. No. 29 was flying downhill on outside runs and screens, making vicious tackles in all phases and playing flawless coverage outside.
He also had a key QB hurry on a third-down stop and arguably made the play of the game with his touchdown-saving interception over Mike Williams. Callahan’s ability to climb the latter on a receiver seven inches taller, make a one-handed grab and flip the momentum of the game right after Drew Lock’s interception is a potentially season-altering play.
Simply put, you can’t play any better than Callahan as an NFL cornerback.
Shelby Harris: A-
Harris was part of a Broncos run defense that allowed a ton of big plays but also forced 11 run stuffs and an additional three tackles for a loss. Harris was part of the problem on at least one big run but was overwhelmingly part of the solution with 1.5 run stuffs and a TFL, on top of drawing an offensive holding flag while penetrating the Chargers backfield against the run.
As a pass defender, he had two key hurries, including one on Herbert’s early interception and also tackled the QB in pursuit on a 3rd-and-2 scramble. Harris has dominated in the trenches this year and had another masterful showing in Week 8.
Drew Lock: B+
Lock’s game is truly emblematic of the Broncos up-and-down offensive performance, with some uninspiring play early as the aerial attack struggled to find a rhythm and then as the catalyst in Denver storming back for the win, with some incredibly clutch plays.
Early on, Lock was dealing with small windows and struggled with his ball placement while also having issues with the Chargers pass rush. His interception was a culmination of all those factors as he underthrew Jeudy for a bad, rushed pick on one of the few plays where he had time in the pocket.
The first two TD drives in the fourth quarter were all about hanging tough in the pocket and making tight-window throws over the middle, with the score to Albert O standing out above all. While the final game-winning drive was all about Lock getting his swag back escaping pressure and making really tough throws on the move.
It was far from a perfect performance but Lock found a way, and without him, the Broncos don’t win on Sunday.
Phillip Lindsay: B+
On just seven touches, Lindsay willed the Broncos back in this game with his phenomenal 55-yard touchdown. While that run makes up the majority of his impact, Lindsay still averaged 5.6 yards per carry without that big run. Not 100 percent and with limited touches, Lindsay, once again proved he’s the engine and soul of this Broncos offense.
Defense
DeShawn Williams: C
Williams appeared in 36-percent of the defensive snaps and did a solid job defending the run early. He was also part of the problem as the Broncos front was gashed with regularity as the game progressed.
Dre’Mont Jones: B-
Jones had his flash plays with a massive penetration up the middle resulting in a key TFL on 4th-and-1 to force an LA turnover on downs. He also generated a run stuff and a QB hit. He played a key role for Denver’s front even if he wasn’t always perfect against the run.
Bradley Chubb: A-
Chubb really stood out on re-watch, generating 3.5 QB pressures, on top of the QB hit and sack he produced. He was solid against the run, producing a run stuff.
The one negative note on his performance were the two key personal fouls that cost the Broncos big yardage.
Alexander Johnson: C+
Johnson was tested endlessly in coverage, getting targeted nine times and was also asked to be a key run defender and blitzer against the pass. At the end of the day, Johnson allowed six receptions for 33 yards, while also getting through for 1.5 run stuffs, a TFL and PD.
Given all that, while he was far from perfect and got swallowed up by blocks defending the run, not always looking fresh moving sideline-to-sideline, he certainly held his own in a key role.
Josey Jewell: D
Jewell didn’t have a standout game and was part of the problem defending the run. One run in particular as Josh Kelly blew right by him for the first big gain by LA really stood out, as Jewell just didn’t look decisive, nor did he make many plays around the line of scrimmage. He also allowed 36 receiving yards on five receptions.
Malik Reed: B
Reed was far from a liability, generating pressure with a sack, on top of a TFL and QB hit on Herbert to go along with a run stuff. A solid showing on 77-percent of the defensive snaps.
Michael Ojemudia: C
Ojemudia wasn’t targeted too often and was very effective playing 82-percent of the snaps. What hurt him was that the few receptions he did allow went for big yardage, conceding 63 receiving yards on three catches.
A.J. Bouye: C-
Prior to getting injured, Bouye appeared in 80-percent of the snaps and faced a game-high 10 targets allowing seven receptions for 82 yards. He was in good coverage but struggled to make plays on the ball and was picked on most of the game.
Kareem Jackson: B-
Jackson had some monstrous hits in the game as he took his usual maniacal approach to flying downhill to the next level in this one. His impact setting the tone as the game wore on can’t be understated but he was also a culprit on a few big runs as he got a bit reckless taking bad angles and got blocked out of the way.
Justin Simmons: B+
Simmons had a very strong game in all phases, generating a key hurry as a blitzer and getting a run stuff, not to mention his key early interception. He did get caught in zone coverage for a short touchdown but was flawless the rest of the way.
Other noteworthy defensive performances
DeMarcus Walker had a nice sack and produced great penetration against the run but also got pancaked defending the run while appearing in 30-percent of the snaps.
Offense
Garett Bolles: D-
Bolles had his worst performance of the season getting back to his undisciplined ways. Facing Joey Bosa he got sloppy and overly aggressive, drawing a horrible illegal block above the waist flag, on top of a hold and false start. As if that wasn’t enough, he conceded a QB hit, shared a TFL and run stop.
Dalton Risner: C
Risner was again asked to get out in space and pull block a lot, even in pass pro where Melvin Ingram beat him to his spot for a pressure. He was also overpowered on a bull rush for another key pressure and yet had the best showing of any offensive lineman on the day.
Lloyd Cushenberry III: C-
Cushenberry couldn’t prevent pressure on 3rd-and-12 up the middle forcing the ball out quickly for yet another three-and-out and struggled with the physicality of the Chargers front as a run blocker. While it was far from perfect he did clean up some things.
Austin Schlottmann: D+
Denver’s backup right guard was outmatched most of the game by Jerry Tillery conceding a ton of penetration up the middle.
Schlottmann’s saving grace is that he had the key block in the hole to free up Lindsay on his big touchdown run, barely getting to the second level defender to clear a path.
Demar Dotson: D
Dotson struggled in pass pro, especially when faced with Bosa giving up a holding penalty and then a QB hit forcing a 3rd-and-15 incompletion. When Dotson, who has limited mobility and impact as a run blocker, is as inefficient as he was protecting the QB his grade will always suffer.
Jerry Jeudy: B
Jeudy wasn’t always getting wide open but he battled and started to get in a rhythm with Lock by the second half, making some key receptions on third down.
K.J. Hamler: C+
Hamler’s big moment came on the final touchdown grab of the game, certainly a key play. As his role in the offense is still being defined, he was far too quiet the rest of the way.
Noah Fant: C
Fant was more of a security blanket than a matchup problem or YAC threat in this one. He did stand out with a physical run block as he keeps refining that part of his game.
Melvin Gordon: C+
Gordon made some big plays in the final drive which really bumped up his grade in an otherwise laborious rushing performance. Especially as a pass-catcher, he was crucial and made a massive play stretching out to convert third down after hauling in a tough one-handed grab.
Other noteworthy offensive performances
Albert Okwuegbunam keeps on coming up big with a masterful touchdown grab in traffic, extending all the way out and then coming down with the ball.
DaeSean Hamilton did a good job to get himself open and maximize his runs after the catch.
Special Teams: C
It was finally an uneventful day for the special teams unit and that’s a good thing. Sam Martin had quite a few fantastic punts that just barely bounced in the end zone or this grade could’ve deserved a bump.
Coaching: C-
With some key absences among the coaching staff, Vic Fangio‘s game plan against rookie Justin Herbert might’ve been too standard before the defense started to make headway containing the former Duck in the pocket. Fangio’s D also lost the chess match as the Chargers ran wild on Denver’s nickel fronts despite some no names in their backfield.
Pat Shurmur‘s game plan was uninspiring and it’s nothing he did that got the attack going, rather more inspired play by the Broncos young playmakers and a key injury by Bosa that really helped.
