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Denver Broncos: Week 5 Position Grades

By Cameron Parker

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) is sacked by Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley (44) in the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) is sacked by Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley (44) in the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Defensive Line Grade: D

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) and outside linebacker Shane Ray (56) in the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) and outside linebacker Shane Ray (56) in the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The Denver Broncos defensive line had the best grade out of any position group last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earning an A+. In the loss against the Atlanta Falcons, the defensive line failed to put pressure on the Falcons. Alex Mack is a Pro-Bowl caliber center that gave Sylvester Williams problems along with Derek Wolfe and Jared Crick.

Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman ran past the defensive line due to the manhandling going on in the trenches. Just about every play, the Broncos were pushed three-to-four steps back. The strength of the Falcons proved to be too much for Derek Wolfe, Sylvester Williams, Jared Crick, and the rest of the defensive line. They now have a short week to prepare for the San Diego Chargers Thursday night.

There is not a cause for concern necessarily for the Broncos defensive line, but they have struggled this season in stopping the run. Freeman and Coleman gave them all they could handle, but the Broncos will not face a running game that dynamic for the rest of the season. The defensive line needs to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks as well, to force those third and long situations to let their pass rushers eat.

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