Denver Broncos: Grading week two game versus Jaguars
Denver Broncos Offense grade, B
You could argue this should be a B+ and that’s fine. Putting up 20+ points is a huge positive for this team when they’ll face the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs in the division who score at will. The Denver Broncos must show on a regular basis they can score at will also to be competitive and steal wins with those two teams.
Unfortunately what brings this grade down to a B grade is the lack of success on third downs in this game. For the Denver offense to be one of the best in the NFL, it must be successful on this down. The best way they achieve is winning first and second down. It does not matter if it is Jacksonville Jaguars or if Alabama Crimson Tide became a pro team, you will not win many games with a 2/11 clip.
On the other hand, the reason it is brought to a B is because the Broncos found a way to regularly get the big play and the deep play at that. We mentioned up top that Denver is now a league leader in 20+ yards passing attempts this season. A lot of these passes came from the Jaguars game. Despite the lack of third-down success, Teddy Bridgewater showed the willingness to push the field with Courtland Sutton who had a career day Sunday.
Sutton’s presence will help be a security blanket with the loss of Jerry Jeudy.
The running game did struggle again against the Jaguars in large part due to Jacksonville selling out to stop the run making Teddy Bridgewater beat them through the air. Bridgewater made them pay when they dared him to throw, but the running still did not have many running lanes to speak of. However, Javonte Williams showed that a small crease can be created by simply keeping his legs moving.
The offensive line has to show out in both pass and run block areas as well. There have been times this season early where a few linemen have gotten beat off the snap. Bridgewater has help negate that making them better due to his surprising mobility outside the pocket.
Still, the Broncos line must make sure to stay upright and not get complacent when they might get a free pass rusher.