Broncos Grades: Fill-ins on defense, field goal block team save offense, coaches

DSeventeen points against a Washington team that entered Sunday having allowed a league-high 210 points? Bad. Going fumble (recovered)-incompletion-fumble (lost) on the last offensive draft? Really bad. The Broncos’ offense couldn’t even take advantage of a defense that was allowing 406 yards per game, gaining only 273 on 51 plays. The bright spots were the return of Jerry Jeudy (teamhigh four catches) and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (three catches) and decent work on third down (7 of 13). The first two drives showed promise before they were derailed by penalties and a sack. Just one mistake per possession will derail this offense.

DEFENSE

BA little leaky against the Washington run game, which gained 112 yards on 24 attempts, but allowing one touchdown in a game is solid work. The Broncos had only one takeaway during their four-game losing streak, but got two interceptions from safety Justin Simmons on Sunday, albeit on an endof-the-first-half Hail Mary pass and a fourthdown desperation throw in the final minute. The pass rush had five sacks, tied for the most this season, and defensive end Dre’mont Jones, held without a sack in the first seven games, had 1K against Washington. Credit the defense, so disappointing during the losing streak, with winning this game twice.

SPECIAL TEAMS

ATwo blocked field goals in the same game will always earn the Broncos an “A.”

Shelby Harris blocked his second field goal in as many games and Dre’mont Jones blocked a Washington attempt. Sam Martin averaged 41 yards net on three attempts, including backing Washington inside its 10-yard line on two punts. Brandon Mcmanus was wide right from 52 yards, his first miss on a field goal or extrapoint attempt this season. New punt returner Kendall Hinton had a 15-yard return.

COACHING

F

Give up 10 points and block two field goals in a win and still get a failing grade? Absolutely. The final offensive drive was so mishandled, it nearly allowed Washington to force overtime or win the game if it had went for a two-point conversion. This would have been a miserable loss for coach Vic Fangio to try and overcome, heading to Dallas carrying a five-game losing streak. As the defensive playcaller, Fangio overcame not having several players and then losing cornerback Bryce Callahan late to make two final stands.