Throughout the entire 2019-20 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.
Just like that, another season of Broncos grades is in the books. Denver’s final game against the Raiders was an ugly, grind it out battle that went to the buzzer for a narrow 16-15 win, as a depleted lineup was able to edge out the division rivals one last time.
Without further ado, here’s who stood out, good, bad and everywhere in between.
Standouts from the game
Von Miller: A
The Raiders gave Von plenty of extra attention but he was still a factor against both the run and pass, showing guts and a high motor.
His impact was massive with three QB hits, a sack, a TFL, three more hurries and a pass deflection. Beyond the production, it’s how he did it, fighting through chips and showing his incredible bend and agility.
Trey Marshall: A
Marshall swung the game in the Broncos favor with an incredible effort on his forced fumble and recovery. He was physical against the run and a solid last line of defense when used as a deep safety.
DaeSean Hamilton: B
Hamilton was Denver’s most reliable receiver, getting open over the middle of the field on in-cutting routes and giving Lock a security valve. It was interesting to see how Scangarello moved him around to get him open underneath and how Hamilton attacked space to get open on key downs.
Chris Harris Jr.: A
One target, that’s all No. 25 saw all day. If this was his last game as a Bronco, it was a worthy send-off as Harris shut down one side of the field all game.
Defense
Mike Purcell: B+
Purcell was extremely disruptive against the run early, constantly in the backfield and consistently closing down on the ball carrier. His impact slowed down as the game wore on but his presence was felt in nullifying Oakland’s run game before Denver went up by double digits.
Shelby Harris: B+
Harris had flashes in what was otherwise a pretty underwhelming showing, though one of those flashes was the game-winning play. His two pass deflections on the Raiders’ final drive made him the hero in this one.
Alexander Johnson: C+
Johnson was a force thumping against the run and playing a huge role in Denver’s goal-line stand, he added two more run stuffs while posting 13 tackles.
Outside of attacking downhill, his game was a bit lost, especially in coverage where he had a lackadaisical stretch and wasn’t closing down on the ball with urgency. He ended the day conceding six receptions for 71 yards.
Todd Davis: B+
Davis didn’t have many flash plays but he did his job almost to perfection, playing smart and limiting any big plays, allowing just five receptions for 26 yards on seven targets. No to mention he wracked up 15 tackles, two for a loss.
Jeremiah Attaochu: B
Attaochu was the victim of the Raiders one big play, a delayed-release by tight end Darren Waller, where he had no chance. That aside, he fought against the run, creating a run stuff and played his part rushing the passer with a sack and a hurry.
Will Parks: B-
Parks did some extraordinary work covering the slot and played his tail off all game long. His most important play might’ve come on his touchdown-saving tackle, chasing down Waller who he’d end up greatly limiting in the second half.
His grade would be higher if not for getting beat on Hunter Renfrow’s touchdown and again letting the rookie get open on the final two-point conversion which Harris’ tip saved.
Justin Simmons: B+
Simmons was a reliable last line of defense and wasn’t tested much.
Isaac Yiadom: D-
Yiadom allowed seven receptions for 91 yards on 11 targets and was very lucky to have some passes dropped or overthrown, as his day could’ve been much worse. He also whiffed on a tackle on Oakland’s lone big run in his worst performance since his return to the starting lineup.
Other noteworthy defensive performances
Josey Jewell filled in nicely and looked solid in coverage while creating a run stuff as well.
Justin Hollins had a couple of flashes including a pass deflection as he rushed the passer and got his hands on the ball.
Offense
Garett Bolles: C-
Bolles was shaky, especially as a run blocker where Clelin Ferrell gave him trouble forcing a TFL. Oakland’s other edge rusher, Maxx Crosby, gave him issues in pass protection, as Bolles might’ve got away with a hold and allowed a few pressures. The bigger stain on Bolles’ resume was the terrible unnecessary roughness penalty that almost cost the Broncos the game.
Dalton Risner: C
Risner wasn’t great as a run blocker, once again looking a bit slow on pulls. He did do a decent job in pass protection as he’s fought through some ups and downs in the final stretch of his rookie season.
Connor McGovern: C
McGovern got overpowered on a pair of run stops but was otherwise solid in pass pro.
Austin Schlottman: D
It was a shaky outing for the right guard who immediately drew a false start and was tossed in the backfield for a half-sack by Johnathan Hankins. He was bulled over for a TFL as well, as the right side of the line struggled mightily all day.
Jake Rodgers: D-
Rodgers was overwhelmed by Crosby on multiple occasions giving up big plays. He settled in a bit but was still far from perfect drawing two different fluky penalties that showed his lack of familiarity with the rest of the starters and a run stop.
Noah Fant: F
This was a harsh reminder of how Fant’s current value is tied to his impact as a receiver. His blocking was truly exposed on the day with two awful holding penalties and two different run stops allowed. He also had a boneheaded play running backward and losing yards.
Courtland Sutton: C+
Sutton was engaged in a tough battle with rookie Trayvon Mullen, drawing a couple of huge penalties and making an absurd catch in double coverage. However, Sutton struggled to get open and gain position on the rookie consistently, preventing him from having a bigger game.
Tim Patrick: N/A
Patrick was completely absent as he just hasn’t taken advantage of the additional playing time he was granted in the second half of the season.
Royce Freeman: F
Freeman’s impact was only negative as he couldn’t do anything in the first half and then had a massive fumble ending the day with -4 running yards on two carries.
Phillip Lindsay: C-
Phil ran tough and created extra angles to gain yards here and there but he wasn’t dynamic breaking tackles or making defenders miss running behind a depleted line.
Drew Lock: C
Lock was at his best extending plays with his feet, getting targets open that way while sprinkling in a couple of nice runs. Big plays weren’t there as Lock did his best being a game manager and did just enough to squeeze out the win. His best throws came on a couple of lasers over the middle of the field to Hamilton and Sutton in traffic.
While far from perfect, Lock showed the moment wasn’t too big, always fighting for the next play and giving his guys a chance.
Other noteworthy offensive performances
Andrew Beck did a solid job run blocking until the very last drive where he fell apart allowing a couple of key run stops. He did haul in an easy walk-in TD to break the game open early.
Special Teams: A-
While the Broncos struggled to win the field position battle early, Colby Wadman had a strong showing, punting the Broncos out of danger on multiple occasions.
Brandon McManus was almost perfect until he barely missed a 57 yarder that almost cost Denver the game but he still played a key role in the win.
The other negative play came as Diontae Spencer fumbled a kick return that was recovered by Devonte Booker.
Coaching: C+
Vic Fangio‘s team might not have been the best on the day as the Ol’ Ball Coach is still figuring out how to best stop Jon Gruden’s offense but they certainly were the most resilient as that red zone defense carried the Broncos to victory.
Rich Scangarello‘s offensive plan had issues with a number of backups playing on the line and ultimately was a bit too conservative with a two-score lead. The struggles to beat loaded boxes were clear and must be addressed in the offseason.
