Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos: Week 7 Position Grades

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Denver Broncos spoiled Brock Osweiler’s return by suffocating the passing lanes and a punch-in-the-mouth running game.

Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) reacts with defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) and nose tackle Darius Kilgo (98) after a play in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

It was imperative for the Denver Broncos to play physical at the point of the attack in every phase of the game. The offensive line protected Trevor Siemian all game, not allowing a sack. Whether it was the passing attack or the ground-and-pound dosage, it was the best game up front since facing the Carolina Panthers on opening night.

Siemian played better than in the game Thursday night at San Diego where he was not healthy to say the least. There were times in the game where he played slow, especially in the fourth quarter. Siemian did enough yet again to win another game by limiting the turnovers and making quicker decisions after his tough first quarter.

The Orange Rush defense failed to sack Osweiler, all but once, but the No Fly Zone limited where he can throw the entire game. Despite not sacking Osweiler, Wade Phillips became creative on designed third down blitzes to make him uncomfortable all night long. It was the secondary that suffocated the DeAndre Hopkins and the rest Houston Texans wide receivers the entire night.

Aside from the woes of the first quarter, the offense responded with a vengeance. The dynamic duo of CJ Anderson and Devontae Booker will be a force for opposing front sevens to face. The offensive line deserves as much credit in protecting Siemian as they did in the running game as well. The line forced its will on the Texans, tiring them out late in the game. Once the line tired out the front seven, the aerial attack and ground game beat the Texans to a pulp to end the game.

Let’s get these positional grades started.

Quarterbacks Grade: B-

Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) drops back to pass the ball in the first half against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Trevor Siemian was expected to start after a mini-bye from last Thursday’s game against the San Diego Chargers. The other expectation is for him to play better than his last performance. Siemian played well except for a quarter and a half. The first quarter appeared slow and lack of quick decisions stalled the offense of drives.

Siemian and the rest of the Broncos offense stalled in the first quarter once again. This needs to change for the team to get off to a fast start. He must make quicker decisions out of the gate for them to put the pressure on the other team early and sustain. However, as proven by Peyton Manning last year, the Broncos can win games with this formula. Siemian is the ultimate game-manager and in this offense, he is not afraid to take chances. Because of the struggles in the first quarter and half of the third, Siemian is graded at B-.

If given the opportunity, Siemian can throw the deep ball perfectly in the right situation. All of his chances are taken by what success they make in the running game. The play action game seemed to be successful to Andy Janovich and to Emmanuel Sanders. Timing on the Sanders play action throw was perfect resulting in a huge gain, but should result in a touchdown with a better throw.

Running Backs Grade: A-

Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Devontae Booker (23) celebrates with running back C.J. Anderson (22) after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 27-9. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

If Monday night’s game is any indication of the running attack going forward, sign me up. CJ Anderson and Devontae Booker both ran with purpose and intent after every yard. Any time backs nearly combine for 200 yards in rushing it results in a great day for the offense as a whole. Running game overall receives an A- grade due to penalties on the offensive line. Remember, this is a team game.

During the week, head coach Gary Kubiak made it known he would like to give Booker more opportunities and the rookie delivered. He finished with 83 yards on 17 carries close to five yards per carry, while Anderson totaled 103 yards in 16 touches. Kubiak clearly is making a point of emphasis in balance of the workload in the backfield. This type of equilibrium on offense keeps a defense on their heels, thus giving the play action a chance for a big play. Rocky and Bullwinkle, as Anderson calls the new duo.

Even though this is the running backs section of the position grades, the fullback is still a pivotal part of the Kubiak offense. It was beautiful to see Kubiak open the playbook for Janovich in the run game and in the passing game. Janovich is the Howard Griffith of this offense. He is a much better athlete than people give him credit for and a stellar fullback in run blocking. Better yet, Janovich is a great pass protector. He helps seal the edge and holes for a running back to go through.

Wide Receiver Grade: B-Tight Ends Grade: B

Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) celebrates his touchdown reception with wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) in the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

In the Houston Texans game, the Denver Broncos did not utilize the tight ends in the passing game. However, Virgil Green and John Phillips did a good job sealing both of their sides to create holes in the running game. It is a multi-faceted game. If Siemian saw it necessary to use Green and Phillips in the passing game it would merit a better grade.

Tight ends must develop in the offense as a threat through the air. There are plays in the playbook for them to create separation from a linebacker, but it continues to be frustrating the lack of the usage in the offense. Despite no catches, the blocking in the running game is all the team needed.

With CJ Anderson and Devontae Booker as the focus on the offense, Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas helped extend drives, but did not light up a stat book. The receivers did enough to create production on the offense. Thomas had 40 yards receiving with one touchdown. He is like a Jekyll and Hyde player for the offense: A terrific talent at wide receiver, but the case of the drops remains a problem. Nonetheless, it seems Thomas is playing more physical on his release and finishing the catch better than year’s past. This may explain why the drops are still an issue.

Sanders caught four passes of his eight targets for 86 resulting in a 21-yard average, which is dynamic from a receiver. He almost had a touchdown of his own on Siemian’s play action to Sanders set up a running score for Booker. Sanders is the clear-cut number one receiver on offense and that has to change. He is playing great as a number one, but Thomas needs to stop running with out the ball and catch the pass intended for him. If this happens it should move Thomas back to 1A at receiver.

Offensive Line Grade: B+

Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis (61) talks to quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) in the huddle during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The fans are extra critical of the offensive line play in the season and last year, but during the game last night that group played its best game since Carolina. Early in the first quarter the entire offense looked slow, but they deserve as much credit as any group. Adversity is overcoming bad play with great play when you’re challenged. After Emmanuel Sanders challenged that unit after the first quarter, the group never looked back.

Much like against the San Diego Chargers, there were penalties negating huge plays on offense. This all took place in the first quarter, but Matt Paradis and company responded with a vengeance. Vince Wilfork was a non-factor because of the play by Michael Schofield and Matt Paradis. Max Garcia used his quick feet at times getting to a hole to help stop the linebacker from hitting the gap.

Just to understand how incredible the offensive line played, the unit is giving up 39 quarterback hits on the season. They protected Trevor Siemian all night long not allowing a single sack on their first-year quarterback. One big hit on Siemian came from the tight end group and a miss-assignment. They set the tone for the entire game, by playing angry helping the running game become the physical group. It is imperative the offensive line build off this great performance, as they welcome back the Chargers.

Defensive Line Grade: C+

Yesterday, the defensive line failed to get any sacks on the former quarterback Brock Osweiler, but they did put pressure on him. Broncos despite no heat on him need to find creative ways to get sacks from Derek Wolfe, Sylvester Williams and Jared Crick. The loss of Vance Walker remains a huge one for this team.

Osweiler’s many deficiencies include batted balls at the line of scrimmage. That is an area that cannot happen for a quarterback at six-foot-seven. However, it was a point of emphasis the defensive line knew all too well from Osweiler’s time in Denver. Crick and Wolfe batted the ball down twice in the second half, frustrating Osweiler.

Overall, the defensive line gets a C+, but they need to create pressure some way, some how on quarterbacks. They are too talented to allow a quarterback run through the line extending the drive. Osweiler took advantage of this during the game last night.

Run defense is the issue for that defensive line. Broncos play too disciplined to lose containment on draw plays. Lamar Miller and Alfred Blue gained huge yards on such plays. All these issues can be corrected and adjusted, but mid-season it is a concern.

Linebackers Grade: B-

Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos inside linebacker Todd Davis (51) recovers a fumble against Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) and wide receiver Will Fuller (15) in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The linebackers of the Denver Broncos defense continue to see issues of covering the running back out of the backfield. In the Houston Texans game last night, this was not the case. Brandon Marshall and Todd Davis did a great job sitting in their zone area and tackling the back or tight end. This was better awareness from a group who struggled against Tevin Coleman and Devontae Freeman. Davis was in the right place at the right time getting a fumble recovery in the red zone stalling the Texans drive.

Von Miller and the vaunted pass rush linebackers still miss DeMarcus Ware, but they did their best to put heat on Osweiler all game. Shane Ray hit Osweiler on a critical third down forcing a fourth down field goal. He continues to shine in the absence of Ware, which is a good sign. However, the attitude of the defense misses the leadership of Ware and once he comes back will lift their spirits. Their next opponent is the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers beat them in their overly disappointing Thursday matchup.

This assertiveness can give the team the incentive to play close to the identity of last year. Because of the play of their line and themselves, they still struggled to get a sack on the ex-teammate, but the hits Osweiler took will not be forgotten.

Secondary grade: A+

Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) and cornerback Chris Harris (25) celebrate the win over the Houston Texans in the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Texans 27-9. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The best performance of the night on defense is the No Fly Zone backing up the talk from this week with great play. Aqib Talib and the rest of the Broncos’ secondary held Brock Osweiler’s to a putrid 3.2 yards per attempt. 3.2 yards an attempt is unheard of in this NFL or football period.

DeAndre Hopkins is a top-five wide receiver, but Monday night he ran into the secondary of Talib and Chris Harris. Both Talib and Harris shut down Hopkins on either side holding him 36 yards receiving. Last night, the secondary played like the elite level we saw from last year. This should be bad news for opposing quarterbacks and coaches determining a possible mismatch.

The Broncos secondary got a boost with the return of Justin Simmons, their third round pick. Simmons and Will Parks allow Wade Phillips to be creative in defensive schemes in stopping tight ends or receivers. Phillips plays TJ Ward and/or Darian Stewart in the box, while Simmons and Parks roam the back end of the defense.

Osweiler’s night was stymied by the Broncos secondary, and it got into his head. He became so scared of throwing to an intended target it resulted in a forced fumble by himself. Another turnover happened in a sandwich between Stewart and Ward. The ball would pop out into the arms of Todd Davis giving it back to their run-heavy offense.

Special Teams Grade: B

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus (8) is congratulated by punter Riley Dixon (9) after he made a field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon McManus added field goals to a perfect night and Riley Dixon continues his growth in this season. Both players did a decent job of setting up the opponents in field position. Dixon almost had a punt blocked because the protections failed to keep their intended guy in front them. Overall, they played fine.

Jordan Norwood took the duties of the kickoffs and punt returns, since Cody Latimer is under the concussion protocol. The Texans knocked the ball out of Norwood’s hands on a punt return, but he got it back. Norwood needs to protect the ball better if he intends to keep his duties as punt returner. It did seem Norwood made good decisions to take the ball out on kickoffs, but explosion is still lacking in that department.

Broncos during the week and a half before the Texans matchup showed interest in Michael Campanaro a kick returner/punt returner, but nothing materialized. The team will welcome back Latimer once he is healthy and Norwood to just the punt return duties. This was a great response by the team following the two-game losing streak. A great testament of a Super Bowl caliber is overcoming adversity. Denver Broncos responded with a terrific performance in close to complete production on offense and defense.