OFFENSE – D
A letter grade’s grace here for the way injuries have piled up and to show some modicum of patience for a system that features a new coach and new quarterback learning each other and the rest of their personnel.
Overall, though, the first eight games are a clear failure for the offense. If this experiment came together fast enough to be even league average, Denver’s probably got at least two more wins. If Russell Wilson played near the standard he set over the first decade of his career, probably the same. Itap not all on him, of course. Two fumbles at the goal-line against Seattle set up the bungled end-of-game sequence. One more play here or there from others paid to make them and maybe Denver beats Indianapolis. What if Melvin Gordon’s fumble isn’t returned for a touchdown against the Raiders? The team went touchdown-less with Brett Rypien at the helm against the Jets. So on and so forth.
Bottom line: The Broncos have been bad on offense, historically so by the franchise’s lofty standards, through eight games and it must change if they are to salvage 2022.
DEFENSE – A
There are nits to pick if you insist. Las Vegas running back Josh Jacobs ran roughshod over this group during an afternoon when the Denver offense was uncharacteristically perky. Matt Ryan, since perma-benched by the Colts, led an anemic offense 67 yards in crunch time when one more stop would have won the game. This 3-5 start, though, is not on Denver’s defense and neither is the loss to Indy. That drive came after the second of two terrible Wilson turnovers in the fourth quarter.
Overall, this group has been splendid. One of the best in recent franchise history. They get after opposing quarterbacks. They have a playmaking defensive line. They have perhaps the finest cornerback in the game in second-year man Pat Surtain II. General manager George Paton’s offseason additions of nickel K’Waun Williams, defensive tackle D.J. Jones and linebacker Alex Singleton are all winners.
Bottom line: Maintaining through a rugged second half and the trade of Bradley Chubb will be difficult, but this defense has a chance to do it.
SPECIAL TEAMS – D+
Perhaps one of the evaluations made over the bye week will be how Denver handles decisions on long field goal attempts going forward. Brandon McManus is 12-of-13 inside 50 yards (his only miss a block by the Colts) and 3-of-6 beyond 50. McManus is a reliable, veteran kicker who also hasn’t shown the ability to regularly knock down the long ball.
Corliss Waitman has been steady in his first year as Denver’s full-time punter. Rookie return man Montrell Washington has flashed his electric skill set but also put the ball on the ground too often.
Bottom line: This group needs to make more plays and commit fewer penalties to give the flagging offense a boost.
COACHING – D
To Nathaniel Hackettap credit, he addressed a clear game management problem decisively and the operation has smoothed out since the early season.
There is still plenty of room for criticism with this young coaching staff, however. Denver is the most penalized team in the NFL by infractions (70) and yardage (600). It is the worst situational offensive team in football between the red zone and third downs.
Lose games in the NFL and second-guessing follows. The Broncos have veterans Dom Capers and Bill Kollar on their defensive staff to aid first-time coordinator Ejiro Evero, who looks like a star in the making. On offense? No such voice. Hackett said this past week he’s not planning any staff changes or major structural adjustments.
Bottom line: Hackett and his staff have a pathway to right the ship, but also have provided plenty of reason for skepticism that it will actually happen. He and they have a lot to prove.
