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Denver Broncos: Week 7 Position Grades

By Cameron Parker

Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Devontae Booker (23) celebrates with running back C.J. Anderson (22) after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 27-9. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Devontae Booker (23) celebrates with running back C.J. Anderson (22) after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 27-9. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Secondary grade: A+

Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) and cornerback Chris Harris (25) celebrate the win over the Houston Texans in the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Texans 27-9. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) and cornerback Chris Harris (25) celebrate the win over the Houston Texans in the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Texans 27-9. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The best performance of the night on defense is the No Fly Zone backing up the talk from this week with great play. Aqib Talib and the rest of the Broncos’ secondary held Brock Osweiler’s to a putrid 3.2 yards per attempt. 3.2 yards an attempt is unheard of in this NFL or football period.

DeAndre Hopkins is a top-five wide receiver, but Monday night he ran into the secondary of Talib and Chris Harris. Both Talib and Harris shut down Hopkins on either side holding him 36 yards receiving. Last night, the secondary played like the elite level we saw from last year. This should be bad news for opposing quarterbacks and coaches determining a possible mismatch.

The Broncos secondary got a boost with the return of Justin Simmons, their third round pick. Simmons and Will Parks allow Wade Phillips to be creative in defensive schemes in stopping tight ends or receivers. Phillips plays TJ Ward and/or Darian Stewart in the box, while Simmons and Parks roam the back end of the defense.

Osweiler’s night was stymied by the Broncos secondary, and it got into his head. He became so scared of throwing to an intended target it resulted in a forced fumble by himself. Another turnover happened in a sandwich between Stewart and Ward. The ball would pop out into the arms of Todd Davis giving it back to their run-heavy offense.

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