Offense — B
The Broncos broke a couple of trends in the first half, not only converting twice in the red zone but both times finishing the drive with a rushing touchdown. They finished the first half with more yards rushing (101) than the stingy Browns allowed per game (99.6) entering Sunday. In the second half, they mostly kept it rolling after a slow start to the third quarter, finishing with a season-high 169 yards on the ground. It was their best rushing output of the season. Russell Wilson finished with 134 yards passing, his seventh time in 11 games this season under 200. Nobody will be complaining, though, if Denver keeps stringing together wins.
Defense — B+
Three more takeaways and another high-flying outing for Vance Joseph’s defense. The Browns ran the ball too much, but they’re one of the best in the league in that department. Denver’s defense was on its heels when Cleveland mounted consecutive drives of 57, 67 and 79 yards to get within 14-12. The Broncos’ second of three takeaways was a critical one, though, when D.J. Jones recovered a fumble early in the fourth quarter on a botched trick play. They capped this one off in style with a late safety on a Zach Allen sack. Still plenty to iron out against the run, but Joseph’s group is playing with the belief that, when they need a big play, they’ll make one. They’ve logged 15 turnovers in the past four games and have allowed just 16 points per game over their five-game win streak.
Special teams — C+
Pretty quiet day for special teams work. Wil Lutz hit two short field goals and all three of his extra points. No kick returns and only a catch-and-step-out-of-bounds punt return from Marvin Mims, Jr. Riley Dixon continues to be in a bit of a rut. His first punt was a 43-yarder that stayed low enough for a 9-yard return. That kind of net is not going to cut it down the stretch as games get more important. Much better on his second (48 yards net, hang time north of 4.5 seconds) and his final (for some reason fair caught at the Browns’ 5-yard line). Overall, the punting unit is the one among the Broncos’ special teams groups that is perhaps the biggest question mark. But Denver’s special teams are vastly improved from a year ago.
Coaching — B
Payton and company had some wrinkles in store for Cleveland, including using Perine more in the backfield – the big running back looks fresh as the season wears on – and running the ball more in the red zone. Defensively, the Broncos continue to tinker with personnel groupings and limited P.J. Locke’s snaps some by playing big against the Browns. Perfect challenge by Sean Payton on Adam Trautman’s sliding touchdown grab, which was initially ruled incomplete. And an assist to the scoreboard operator, who showed about a dozen angles in rapid succession on Empower Field’s massive end zone video board.
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