NFL
HomeScoresDraftRumorsFantasyB/R 99: Top QBs of All Time
Featured Video
Non-Playoff Teams That Dominated NFL Draft
Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Broncos vs. Lions: Denver Grades, Notes and Quotes

Travis WakemanSep 27, 2015

David Bruton has made a nice career for himself as one of the best special teams players in the NFL. But on Sunday night, he made the biggest play of his career for the Denver Broncos (3-0), intercepting a pass from Matthew Stafford to help the Broncos pick up a key road win on Sunday night.

It was just the second interception of Bruton's career, but it was a game-changing play against the Detroit Lions (0-3) that may have meant the difference between a win and a loss.

For the third week in a row, it was the defense that made a play that turned the tide, but Peyton Manning likely silenced many of his critics as well, playing a terrific game.

The Broncos return home in Week 4 to face the Minnesota Vikings (2-1). But first, let's take a closer look at this game, which was Denver's first win over the Lions since September 2003.

Positional Grades for Denver

1 of 7
Broncos CB Aqib Talib
Broncos CB Aqib Talib

Position                                                                                  Grade

QBA
RBC-
WRA
TEB+
OLC+
DLA
LBB+
DBA-
Special TeamsA
CoachingA

Quarterback: You can't ask for much more out of a 39-year-old quarterback than the Broncos got out of Manning on Sunday night. He completed 31 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns. He made some difficult throws, including two deep balls that helped decide the outcome.

He hit Demaryius Thomas for a 45-yard touchdown with just five seconds left in the first half. Later in the fourth quarter, he connected with Emmanuel Sanders for a big 34-yard gain. Each time, he attacked Detroit defensive back Darius Slay to make the completion.

Finally, with Denver clinging to a 17-12 lead in the fourth quarter, Manning made a perfect pre-snap read and found Owen Daniels in the end zone for a touchdown to put the game out of reach.

No one should be questioning Manning this week.

Running Back: The Denver running game was again a mess, as the team gained just 41 yards on 19 carries. C.J. Anderson, who had just 18 yards on the ground, left the game early to be evaluated for a concussion. Later, a neck injury knocked Juwan Thompson out of the game.

Wide Receiver: Thomas and Sanders combined for 15 catches, 179 yards and one touchdown in this game. The team also got a big boost from Bennie Fowler, who saw extensive time in this game. He made four catches for 50 yards. 

Tight End: Daniels finally started to make the impact that many fans felt he could when he came over from the Baltimore Ravens. He finished with five catches for 28 yards and a touchdown. Virgil Green showed his athleticism on a 26-yard reception. 

Offensive Line: The Broncos allowed just one sack on the night, but the line is just not getting the job done in the running game. It's hard to determine how head coach Gary Kubiak can fix that, but 2.2 yards per carry isn't going to get it done.

Defensive Line: For as bad as Denver's running game was, Detroit's was even worse. The Broncos allowed just 28 yards on the ground, and the Lions averaged just 1.5 yards per carry. In addition, DeMarcus Ware and Malik Jackson were able to apply pressure regularly on Stafford. 

Aside from a poor decision that resulted in a 15-yard personal foul when he hit a sliding Stafford, Sylvester Williams also played a strong game.

Linebacker: Brandon Marshall was beaten badly on a play by Theo Riddick early in this game, but he made up for it by leading the team with 12 tackles. Shaquil Barrett came into the game and made a massive play, knocking the ball out of the hands of Stafford. 

Detroit contended that Stafford's arm was moving forward and the play should be ruled an incomplete pass, but the call on the field stood.

Von Miller is as destructive to opposing offenses as any player in football, but he gets too eager at times and is penalized a little too often.

Defensive Back: Though Calvin Johnson made eight catches for 77 yards, Aqib Talib played well against him. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips showed great confidence in Talib, leaving him one-on-one with Johnson for much of this game.

Talib's tackling on Johnson was particularly impressive. He prevented Johnson from making any big plays after the catch.

Special Teams: Brandon McManus continues to be an important piece of this year's team. McManus booted a 48-yard field goal and blasted each of his kickoffs out of the end zone.

Coaching: Following last week's dramatic win over the Kansas City Chiefs, it seemed evident that Manning and Kubiak would have to find a happy medium on offense. That happy medium could be the pistol formation.

It allows Manning to line up a few yards behind center, where he is clearly more comfortable, and it gives Kubiak the opportunity to call running plays the way he prefers.

Important Note No. 1: Juwan Thompson Leaves with Injury, Doesn't Return

2 of 7

With Anderson already out of the game being checked for a concussion, Thompson was also knocked out after taking a shot while lowering his head against the Lions.

The two injuries looked eerily similar, and while Anderson was able to return, Thompson did not. Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reported that it was a neck injury for Thompson, but the seriousness of the injury was not revealed.

The significance of the injury to Thompson could be huge. The Broncos only have three running backs on the main roster. If Thompson is going to miss time, the Broncos will need to have a backup plan.

Kapri Bibbs is still on the practice squad, and he'd likely be the first option.

Important Note No. 2: C.J. Anderson Has No Room to Run

3 of 7

In relief of an injured Montee Ball last season, Anderson did more than just fill a void; he excelled in Denver's backfield.

Anderson played so well that he was selected to the Pro Bowl as an alternate, so hopes were high for him this season. Whether it's Kubiak's scheme, the offensive line or the fact that Anderson just isn't the same player, he has struggled mightily this season.

Through three games, Anderson has 74 yards rushing on 32 carries. That is a paltry 2.3 yards per attempt. In addition, Hillman appears to be a better fit for the current offense.

This is something the Broncos must address at some point, though while they're winning games, they may not see it as a big issue.

TOP NEWS

5-Year Redraft
Titans Camp Football

Important Note No. 3: Still No Sign of Cody Latimer

4 of 7

It's hard to say why 2014 second-round draft pick Cody Latimer has failed to make an impact of any kind to this point in his career, but he hasn't. He still has yet to catch a pass in 2015, and he barely ever sees the field.

But the situation surrounding Latimer became even more curious on Sunday night when the Broncos turned to Fowler. The former Michigan State star, who went undrafted, looked good when Denver gave him the opportunity.

The four passes Fowler caught on Sunday night are more than Latimer has had in his entire career. So when will fans ever see Latimer? Is Denver trying to ease him onto the field, or does the team just have another big second-round draft bust on its hands?

Quote No. 1: David Bruton on His Interception

5 of 7

Bruton made arguably the biggest play of this football game, but he chalked it up to a team effort in this video posted on the team's official website following the game.

"They were in a formation that we knew what was coming, and when the back chipped, I knew what was coming with the dig," Bruton said.

Just before the play, Detroit tight end Eric Ebron beat Bruton over the middle of the field for a 29-yard gain.

What a way to redeem himself.

On the play, Bruton knocked the ball out of the air, tipping it to himself. He then showed great concentration by catching the ball and getting a small return to knock the wind out of Detroit's sails.

It was a good thing Bruton was in the right spot. Replays showed that if he didn't make the play, Stafford likely had Johnson for what could easily have been a touchdown.

Quote No. 2: Owen Daniels on His Touchdown Catch

6 of 7

In this video posted on the team's website, Daniels took interview questions following the game. Prior to the game Sunday night, Daniels had caught just five passes for 24 yards in the team's first two games.

Manning seemed to look his way a little more often in this one, and that could be an encouraging sign. Prior to talking about his touchdown catch, Daniels addressed the offense to this point in the season.

"It's been a little frustrating offensively in general," Daniels said. "We want to score more points, stay on the field longer and get into the end zone a little more."

On Sunday, he did get into the end zone, catching his first touchdown as a member of the Broncos.

Asked about the play when Manning threw it up to him, Daniels replied: "I was thinking he might, just the defensive look they gave us and the route we had set up...got my release and I looked, and the ball was in the air and I had to go get it."

On the play, Manning diagnosed the defense perfectly before snapping the ball and knew he had the matchup he wanted with Daniels. Though the tight end made a tough catch, it was a relatively easy score based on Manning's decision to go there and his placement of the ball.

Quote No. 3: Gary Kubiak on Using the Pistol Formation

7 of 7

During his postgame press conference, Kubiak was asked about the pistol formation, via the team's official website, which Denver featured prominently on Sunday night.

"Obviously I want to get Peyton as comfortable as I possibly can in what we're trying to do, and obviously we're still trying to maintain some balance," Kubiak said.

Using the pistol formation is likely something he didn't envision doing when he took over as head coach of the Broncos, but Kubiak is playing to Manning's strengths rather than forcing his system on the 39-year-old.

With the Broncos having their best night offensively of the season to this point on Sunday, the pistol is something we can probably expect to stick around going forward.

Non-Playoff Teams That Dominated NFL Draft

TOP NEWS

5-Year Redraft
Titans Camp Football
49ers Eagles Football

TRENDING ON B/R