Defensive Line Grade: C+
Yesterday, the defensive line failed to get any sacks on the former quarterback Brock Osweiler, but they did put pressure on him. Broncos despite no heat on him need to find creative ways to get sacks from Derek Wolfe, Sylvester Williams and Jared Crick. The loss of Vance Walker remains a huge one for this team.
Osweiler’s many deficiencies include batted balls at the line of scrimmage. That is an area that cannot happen for a quarterback at six-foot-seven. However, it was a point of emphasis the defensive line knew all too well from Osweiler’s time in Denver. Crick and Wolfe batted the ball down twice in the second half, frustrating Osweiler.
Overall, the defensive line gets a C+, but they need to create pressure some way, some how on quarterbacks. They are too talented to allow a quarterback run through the line extending the drive. Osweiler took advantage of this during the game last night.
Run defense is the issue for that defensive line. Broncos play too disciplined to lose containment on draw plays. Lamar Miller and Alfred Blue gained huge yards on such plays. All these issues can be corrected and adjusted, but mid-season it is a concern.