by The Denver Broncos pulled off another upset by the Jets from New York on the road in a rain shower. The Broncos defense capitalized and made plays while getting some help from the weather.
It took a while for the Broncos offense to get going, but as the rain subsided in the second half, it started to gain more success and some consistent play got going.
The player grades reflect performance on both sides of the ball, with the defense generally performing exceptionally well. The offense’s numbers were much rougher.
Remember, a player must receive a minimum of 20 snaps to qualify for a grade. Each player starts with a score of 50 from which their performance builds.
So, with that said, let’s dive in.
The weather caused Nix serious problems in the first half, and he must take that into account for the next time he inevitably has to play in bad weather. When the rain subsided in the second half he did better, but there were still some problems.
The rookie looked unsettled even when there was no pressure, and his footwork looked worse than it has all season.
The Broncos needed Williams to figure it out, and he did. Instead of being too patient behind the line or trying to let whoever read for the big gain, he went downhill with force and made yards. Williams seemed to be in a mental block dating back to last year, and in this game he broke through it.
McLaughlin has good speed and was able to pick up yards quickly. He did well to take advantage of an aggressive, well-worn defense.
It’s time to discuss Reynolds’ questionable effort this season, which was evident in the game. Humphrey did well, but he is limited to a specific role that the Broncos couldn’t use against the Jets.
Sutton had the big day, with some crucial catches, but he consistently lined up at the edge as a blocker.
The Broncos need help at the position. They lack a threat at receiver, and the blocking is inconsistent at best. Trautman and Adkins should see that consistency as blockers, and Sean Payton should consider a change in Dulcich.
Bolles again played an excellent match, even with two pressure points and a penalty. This was one of his best games as a run blocker of his career.
Palczewski played a cleaner game in pass protection, with no pressure allowed, which is a good sign. However, he struggled as a run blocker on the right side. It was the best game for the Broncos tackles this season.
Wattenberg had issues with the tough interior of the Jets line led by Quinnen Williams. Powers and Meinerz had their best game as a duo in their 20 games together. Both allowed no pressure and were paving stones on the ground.
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There needs to be a discussion about getting Roach on the field more and Jones less, because the defense performs better with the former. Jones has struggled, returning to last season’s mediocre form despite playing his best game since his first season in Denver.
Jones was unable to capitalize on those around him, as Allen and Franklin-Myers (against his former team) bullied the Jets’ offensive line, one of the NFL’s better pass-protecting units entering the game, especially on the interior.
Elliss played well as a pass rusher and run defender. He shows improvement in his arsenal and develops his ability to link moves together.
While Cooper destroyed the game with his pass rush, recording seven pressures per Pro football focushe had a number of miscues against the run, which dropped his grade. Bonitto had an unblocked pocket and picked up only one other pressure. He was also exploited with his run defense.
There were concerns about how the Broncos defense would handle the loss of Alex Singleton, but Strnad started the game with a bang when he sacked Aaron Rodgers. In the first ten plays, Strnad played a crucial role in the outcome of six of them.
Strnad lasted the entire match. Barton performed well against the run, but his coverage issues, especially his depth in zone coverage, were exploited by the Jets
The rain helped, of course, but the Broncos’ corners were sticky in coverage and made the throws even more challenging to complete. McMillian and Moss were exceptional at getting in against the run, and Surtain scored the goal of the day on a short throw outside, running into the formation.
Jones has been a find for the Broncos. While there were concerns about him moving from a sub to a starting role, he put those to bed.
The Broncos are getting solid play from Locke, where he has had some great moments. They need him to be more consistent, but his speed in reading and reacting leads to a big play.
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