The Broncos return to work Monday following their bye week for a seven-game stretch run that begins Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The record is right in the middle (5-5) and how the specific units (offense, defense, special teams and coaching) have performed this year mirror the record: Average.
The Denver Post issues grades after each game. For a 10-game average, point totals were awarded for grades — A (four points), B (three), C (two), D (one) and F (none) — from each game.
Offense
Average point total: 1.6.
Highest grade: A against Dallas in Week 9.
Lowest grade: Fs against Baltimore (Week 4), Las Vegas (6) and Philadelphia (10).
Comment: The Broncos are 23rd in scoring (20.0), 19th in yards (342.1), 17th in rushing (111.5) and 18th in passing (230.6). … QB Teddy Bridgewater has an acceptable touchdown-to-interception total (14-5), but the Broncos are averaging only 10.7 yards per reception (opponents are at 12.5). … The RB tandem of Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams has played out like the coaches anticipated — 118 carries for Gordon and 103 for Williams. … Seven Broncos have at least 19 catches, led by 43 for WR Courtland Sutton (32nd in the league) and having WR Jerry Jeudy (out Games 2-7 with a high ankle sprain) should spark the downfield passing game. … At offensive line, the Broncos have started five combinations in 10 games. LT Garett Bolles, out the last two games (ankle), must play better upon his return; he has been booked for 17 disruptions allowed in pass protection.
Defense
Average point total: 1.9.
Highest grade: A against the New York Jets (Week 3) and Dallas (9).
Lowest grade: F against Pittsburgh (Week 5), Las Vegas (6), Cleveland (7) and Philadelphia (10).
Comment: Entering Week 11, the Broncos were seventh in yards (328.2), 16th against the run (109.9) and seventh against the pass (218.3), but tied for 20th in points (18.3) and 26th on third down (43.5%). … The Broncos have allowed 22 passes of at least 25 yards, up from 14 such plays through 10 games last year. Pat Surtain II has the only interception among the team’s cornerbacks; S Justin Simmons have four, S Caden Sterns two and S Kareem Jackson one. … OLB Von Miller remains the team’s leader in sacks (4 1/2) and he now plays for the Los Angeles Rams. Rookie OLB Jonathon Cooper has been solid (two sacks) and DE Shelby Harris and DE Dre’Mont Jones have 2 1/2 apiece. … The run defense was gashed by Cleveland (182 yards) and Philadelphia (216).
Special teams
Average point total: 1.9.
Highest grade: A against Washington (Week 8).
Lowest grade: F against Jacksonville (Week 2) and Philadelphia (10).
Comment: Not good. Period. Coach Vic Fangio wasn’t fibbing when he said earlier in the season the Broncos made one big special teams error per game. Kickoff return touchdown allowed to Jacksonville. Punt partially blocked by the Jets. Forty-two-yard punt return allowed to Baltimore. Penalty to allow Pittsburgh to score seven instead of three points. A punt blocked by Dallas. A field goal blocked by Philadelphia. … The Broncos rank last in kick returns (17.1) and kick coverage (35.7). … P Sam Martin is 16th in net average (41.6 yards) and K Brandon McManus is tied for 18th in field goal rate (85.7%). … The special teams have eight enforced penalties (one in the last five games).
Coaching
Average point total: 1.6.
Highest grade: A against the New York Giants (Week 1) and Dallas (9).
Lowest grade: F against Pittsburgh (Week 5), Las Vegas (6), Washington (8) and Philadelphia (10).
Comment: A determining factor in this grade was initial drive and the first quarter, when a play-caller’s “openers” (offense/defense) are revealed. The Broncos have been outscored 31-10 on opening drives and 44-26 in the first quarter this year. … Coach Vic Fangio had bright spots against the Giants (3 of 3 on fourth down), Jets (shutout win) and Cowboys (scored first 30 points). … On offense, Pat Shurmur’s opening-drive play-calling hasn’t been productive and we’re still waiting for the first, change-of-pace trick play to happen at any point. … Publicly, special teams coordinator Tom McMahon is the most embattled coach on the staff. The statistics (kick return/coverage, key penalties) are dreary and it seems like every mistake is costly.
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