Offense — F
It’s a unit that starts slow — eight consecutive opening-drive punts to end the season. It’s a unit that saw their running game crumble even before ’s wrist injury last week. needed 17 carries to gain 60 yards on Sunday. And the offense is a unit that didn’t score a touchdown until 10:10 remained in the game. Even when the Broncos did reach the end zone, threw an interception that was returned for a two-point defensive conversion. Where to start with the offseason issues? Once general manager makes a call on the head coach, the next critical decision is finding a play-caller (if not the new head coach) who can wake up the Broncos from their offensive slumber that is now four years long.
Defense — C
The Broncos produced first-half interceptions by rookie Isaac Yiadom and , but the offense didn’t cash in. The pass rush was unable to harass quarterback — the only sack was when was finishing up the game. The pass rush overall ran out of steam. The Broncos had only six sacks over the final four games. Trailing by seven points (16-9) and needing a stop to make things interesting, the Broncos again came up short. Austin Ekeler gained 41 yards and then Denver let the Chargers out of a second-and-19 by allowing consecutive completions of 14 and 21 yards to set up the game-sealing touchdown.
Special teams — D
The Broncos started the game with a surprise onside kick that was easily recovered by the Chargers. But the story for the special teams this season will be a lack of a return game and penalties that impacted the field position. They averaged a measly 4.4 yards per punt return and it never felt like the kick return was going to produce a big play. made all 35 extra-point attempts and was 20 of 25 on field goals this year. Combined with emerging punter Colby Wadman, maybe the Broncos are set at those two spots.
Coaching — F
has led seasons of 5-11 and 6-10 that included losing streaks of eight, four and four games. Unacceptable. Against the Chargers on Sunday, the first offensive play was a pass to tight end that lost one yard. Thatap what they worked on all week? On defense, as mentioned above, the pass rush slowed down and the coaches seemed stubborn to mix up their pressure looks and was moved around too much instead of staying at free safety.
