Broncos Grades

Offense

BThe

Broncos started poorly ( again) when quarterback Drew Lock threw an openingseries interception and followed with a threeandout. From there, though, the offense finished the first half by going touchdown, field goal and field goal for a 13- 10 lead. The run game showed its long- awaited burst ( having a lead helped). Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay had rushes of 25 and 20 yards, respectively, in the first half, and the story of this game offensively was the running game. The Broncos carried 33 times for a season- high 189 yards. Gordon kept Miami in it with a fourth- quarter fumble at the goal line. Lock overcame the early interception to complete 18- of- 30 passes for 270 yards. The third- down work wasn’t great ( 4- of- 12), but the offense was ignited by Lock’s 15- yard pass to KJ

Hamler on third- and- 10 during the third drive. That led to Gordon’s touchdown and settled the whole unit down.

Defense

AThe

Broncos tied a season high with six sacks, set a season high by forcing five three- and- outs and capped the game with safety Justin Simmons’ end- zone interception with 1: 03 left. Miami had only 105 yards offense through three quarters and Dolphins coach Brian Flores turned to Ryan Fitzpatrick after rookie Tua Tagovailoa took a big hit from outside linebacker Bradley Chubb ( although Flores said the decision was performancerelated). Miami’s only touchdown capped a 22- yard drive after Lock’s interception. An iffy holding penalty on A. J. Bouye negated Simmons’ interception on that possession. The Dolphins, though, found the going difficult. Miami had four three- and- outs in the first half as the Broncos created three sacks. The Dolphins’ third drive elapsed 7 minutes, 21 seconds ( second- longest allowed by Broncos this year), but Miami settled for a field goal. The Dolphins had only 56 yards rushing. Miami reached the Broncos’ 15 before Simmons’ interception.