Grading the Broncos>> Solid, unspectacular outing more than enough vs. Arizona

OFFENSE — B

No. 2 quarterback Brett Rypien was sacked six times on 21 drop-backs in the first half and seven times total as the Broncos’ makeshift offensive line struggled to protect him. That didn’t stop Denver’s ground game from producing. Latavius Murray rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown. Rypien didn’t help the game-control element with two turnovers — a JJ Watt strip sack and an interception on what he thought was a free play — but he guided three touchdown drives in the second half, which was more than enough. Murray and Marlon Mack, Denver’s makeshift running back duo, finished with 205 total yards and two touchdowns.

DEFENSE — B

The Cardinals’ three field goal drives covered 45, 38 and 11 yards. Denver’s defense didn’t let up much else against the quarterback combo of Colt Mccoy and Trace McSorley until the middle of the fourth quarter. Justin Simmons continued his interception barrage with two more — he’s now got four in the past three games and five this season. The Broncos have eight interceptions in the past three weeks after logging six in the first 11 outings of the year.

Deshawn Williams logged 2.5 sacks for the Broncos as he continues a solid season. Denver needed a good outing from this veteran group and got it.

SPECIAL TEAMS — C

Brandon Mcmanus missed a 38-yard field goal and Montrell Washington muffed a punt that nearly set the Cardinals up inside the Denver 10-yard line. Neither ended up costing the Broncos in a major way, and Washington did, for the second straight week, do some positive things in the return game. His decision-making is still shaky. He let a short punt turn into 57 net yards when it rolled 25 yards after Washington decided not to try to field it. Punter Corliss Waitman dropped a perfect boot on the Arizona 3-yard line and had overall perhaps his best day since Denver’s bye week.

COACHING — B

Outside of an inconsistent second quarter, Denver’s offensive staff for the most part did a nice job with its gameplan for Rypien. In the second half especially, they relied on the run game and got the ball into Jerry Jeudy’s hands in easy situations. It wasn’t perfect by any stretch — the sacks and a pair of turnovers speak to that — but the Broncos took control in the second half and didn’t look back. Say this about the Broncos: They haven’t stopped playing hard even in losing nine of their past 10 games. Regardless of result, the decision to sit Russell Wilson was a prudent one and the franchise got a win on the field to boot.