Broncos Player Grades From Massive Upset Win Over Bills

The Denver Broncos have thrust themselves into the playoff hunt after defeating the Buffalo Bills and extending their winning streak to three games. Though they sit at 4-5, the Broncos are right in the thick of the eight teams sitting with four or five wins in the AFC.

The Broncos are far removed from the speculation about drafting positioning. There's still a tough road ahead for the Broncos, and they need to find more balance in the team and consistency on offense.

It's hard to sustain success with how the Broncos have won their last two games. Nine takeaways is a great mark, but having scored just 16 points off of them? Not so great. The Broncos need more from their offense to balance out how great the defense has been.

If this defense breaks, the Broncos' offense must show it can go out there and take care of business consistently. While Denver's offensive style works when the defense is excellent, it can be problematic if and when it isn't working.

The Broncos haven't been a balanced team all season, with their offense starting well but the defense being terrible, and then a flip of those circumstances. If the Broncos can get balance on the team and consistency on offense, they could be a playoff sleeper.

That doesn't mean everything has to be perfect, but things can improve. There's still a lot of potential with this Broncos team that it hasn't been able to fully realize. If the Broncos can begin to grasp at those limits, they can be dangerous. A more efficient running game and more explosive plays to their passing game will be required.

Why is that important? Over their last eight games, the Broncos will face four teams currently holding a playoff spot, and three of them are against two teams ahead of them in the playoff hunt.

With that said, let's dive into the player grades from the Broncos' upset win over the Bills.

Offensive MVP: Quinn Meinerz | OG

Grade: 74.6

Meinerz has emerged as a top guard in the NFL over the past few weeks. There were lapses in technique and discipline early on, but it has been corrected.

Meinerz has been a mauler in the run game and is holding his own in pass protection. He should be in the All-Pro conversation if he keeps playing at this level.

Defensive MVP: Ja'Quan McMillian | CB

Grade: 84.6

It's safe to say the Broncos found themselves a long-term answer at nickel corner. McMillian has been outstanding since he took the starting job, and he hasn't looked back.

His play improves each week, and his instincts have been outstanding. What's great to know is that McMillian is only scratching the surface.

Quarterback: Russell Wilson

Grade: 69.7

The Broncos' quarterback has kept things clean and efficient in the passing game. Denver needs that, but it also needs Wilson to find more explosive plays. The issues achieving that aren't just on him, though he does have a bad habit of panicking in the pocket and dropping his eyes or looking off a deep shot to check it down.

Denver needs to find a way to score quickly, which, again, was something it showed in the first few games. The opportunities are there, but Wilson needs to accept some risk to try and hit them, and when he does, he needs to throw a good ball. There was a chance for a walk-off touchdown to close the game, but the throw was short. Fortunately, Jerry Jeudy drew a pass interference flag.

The Broncos need to find more balance with their passing game, starting with Wilson. He is playing good enough football to complement what the Broncos have done defensively, but they need more from him, especially with what they're paying him.

The flashes of brilliance are there, and Wilson made one of the best throws of his career against the Bills on that touchdown to Courtland Sutton, which was a risky throw. Denver needs Wilson to take those calculated risks more often. He had only four passing attempts of 10-plus yards against the Bills, including that touchdown.

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The Positive

Zach Allen | IDL | Grade: 81.8

Allen has been killing it after the Broncos switched things up defensively. He's been a wrecking ball against opposing offensive lines, wreaking so much havoc.

D.J. Jones | IDL | Grade: 79.3

Denver needed Jones to get back to this level of play. He's had a hard go of it this season, but he finally stepped up in a big way. Multiple big defensive plays were made because of Jones, even if he wasn't the one making the tackle.

Garett Bolles | OT | Grade: 71.3

Bolles has been playing good football all season, and this was one of his better games. It wasn't perfect, but his number of true losses can be counted on one hand, including only two pressures allowed.

Mike McGlinchey | OT | Grade: 67.8

Finally, a good game from the big-ticket right tackle. It started rough with a false start and a pressure earlier in the game, but he allowed only one other pressure and zero sacks. He also had a big game as a run blocker.

The Negative

Delarrin Turner-Yell | S | Grade: 31.3

There isn't much to say here. Turner-Yell was terrible when starting earlier in the season, and he hasn't improved. It might be time to try someone else out instead of him when Kareem Jackson and/or P.J. Locke aren't available.

Josey Jewell | LB | Grade: 36.5

This was the worst game from Jewell in a while. He was caught out of position multiple times, and his tackling was off all night.

Adam Trautman | TE | Grade: 40.5

Trautman has brought nothing to the passing game, and his blocking has not been good enough consistently to make up for it. He was named the starter because of his versatility, but his play has been that of a fourth-stringer. The problem is Denver doesn't have other options.

Marvin Mims Jr. | WR | Grade: 41.2

Mims played the most snaps he has all season, including 20 as a run blocker. It wasn't a good showing, and it revealed the limitations of his game. Also, can Denver do away with the reverses to Mims?

Other Noteworthy Grades

Alex Singleton | LB | Grade: 71.9

When Singleton can react and go, good things happen, and the Broncos have enabled that more over recent weeks. Singleton flies to the ball and consistently makes plays.

Justin Simmons | S | Grade: 67.7

The changes to the defense can't be overestimated with how much of an impact it has had on the players' ability to execute. Simmons seems to be playing more freely, relaxed, and confidently, which is reflected in his play against the run.

Jerry Jeudy | WR | Grade: 66.3

Maybe the trade stuff before the deadline did Jeudy some good because he seemed more focused, but beyond that, there was a lot more effort. There were 15 plays he was tasked with run blocking, and while they weren't great, it was the best showing from an effort perspective he's had all season.

Ben Powers | OG | Grade: 43.1

This was a rough one from Powers, who showed more consistency in recent weeks. He struggled in pass protection, allowing six total pressures, and wasn't as good as usual as a run blocker.

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