Denver Broncos Report Card Week 8: Grading Each Unit

Week 8 vs. the Lions, Broncos fans. 

Would the Broncos build on last week's win over the Dolphins?

Or would they crash back to earth against a vastly-improved Detroit team?

The Broncos lost at home on Sunday to the Lions 45-10 on Sunday on Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium on Sunday afternoon in a game that wasn't nearly as close as that score indicates.

Lets take a look at each unit and see how they graded out.

Quarterbacks: D

Tim Tebow started off solid.

He hit Eric Decker on his first pass for 14 yards. Later in the same drive, he hit Eric Decker for what looked to be a 21-yard touchdown completion.

The referees ruled Decker didn't have control of the pass while his feet were still inbounds.

The Broncos settled for a field goal to make it 3-0.

Tebow struggled in the first half following the initial drive. He was 4-of-13 at halftime.

In the second half, he had a fumble returned for a touchdown and an interception returned for a touchdown.

He did hit some passes late to finish the game 18-of-39 for 172 yards passing with one touchdown. Tebow also had 63 yards rushing.

Tebow's grade might have been lower, but he had very little help all day.

However, Tebow must improve his footwork, and his progressions must be quicker.

The offensive line struggled, the running game struggled and the coaching staff rarely put him in situations to be successful.

Running Backs: D

Remember when the Denver Broncos could plug any back in and get 1,000 yards?

Me neither.

That was long ago.

Knowshon Moreno spins and dances but rarely gains tough yards.

Lance Ball works hard but isn't nearly as skilled.

Tim Tebow is your best running back. And it really isn't close.

This group misses Willis McGahee like a fat kid misses dessert.

Offensive Line: D-

This group may not be able to protect their quarterback—but hey they can't run block, either.

Games are won in the trenches, as we all know.

Watch the line of scrimmage and you'll see our offensive line go backwards. And that's on a running play.

Tackles Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin struggled to keep the Lions defensive ends off of Tim Tebow for much more than three or four seconds.

On the fumble by Tebow that went for a touchdown, there were literally four Detroit Lions defensive linemen around him by the time he dropped back in the pocket.

Center J.D. Walton and guards Chris Kuper and Zane Beadles were better against the pass-rush but aren't able to open much in the way of running lanes.

Wide Receivers: B

This grade was nearly an incomplete.

Besides Eric Decker, can anyone name a wide receiver who even participated on Sunday?

I would have thought Eddie Royal was traded to St. Louis with Brandon Lloyd if not for his first-half catch of two yards—on 3rd-and-3.

Royal caught three more passes late in the game. And Matthew Willis snared a grab over the middle late as well.

Demaryius Thomas was MIA most of the day.

To be fair, this unit was barely used until late, as quarterback Tim Tebow struggled to even get a pass off.

Tight Ends: Incomplete

Another group that was just not used.

Daniel Fells had one reception for five yards.

Julius Thomas had a drop in the second quarter.

I know tight ends are supposed to block as well. But I didn't see evidence of any blocking by the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Defensive Line: D-

Playing against a Lions team that came into the game ranked No. 22 in rushing offense, the defensive line allowed nearly six yards per carry.

The Lions had 113 rushing yards.

Detroit quarterback Matt Stafford isn't extremely mobile, and even less so when injured, like he was on Sunday. The Broncos registered two sacks that were due to great coverage.

Stafford had all day to pass. He went 21-of-30 for 267 yards and three touchdowns.

Sacks are overrated. Hurries and hits make quarterbacks gun-shy.

This defensive line rarely got hurries or hits—and when they did it was usually the linebackers.

Linebackers: D

This group is also responsible for the Lions' running game averaging nearly six yards a carry.

Von Miller had a bright spot or two. Wesley Woodyard plays hard, if not always well.

DJ Williams and Joe Mays were rarely spotted unless they were riding on the back of running back Maurice Morris.

Defensive Backs: C+

This group played better early than any other group on the team. 

There was a miscommunication between cornerback Andre' Goodman and safety Brian Dawkins that resulted in an easy Detroit touchdown in the first quarter.

They wore down late, but Champ Bailey and Goodman actually played a very good Lions receiving corps very tough.

They were forced to cover for way too long and for too many plays.

Special Teams: C

Matt Prater hit a 39-yard field goal in the first quarter.

Quan Cosby returned a kick for 26 yards early in the game.

He had a player blocked into him on a punt, forcing the ball to get loose, where it was recovered by Andre' Goodman.

Punt coverage gave up 10 yards per return.

Yawn.

Coaching: F

Is there a grade lower than F?

Can I give this unit a G? Or an H?

There is no game plan. If there is—I can't see it and would love to hear it.

You have a young, inexperienced quarterback, and you do nothing to put him in successful situations.

Short passes and wide receiver screens weren't thrown until the game was completely out of hand.

Bet you never thought you'd miss Josh McDaniels, huh?

Eric Studiesville had better game plans than this staff.

Did anyone see how Philadelphia slowed down the Dallas pass-rush on Sunday night? They threw short passes and screens. Quite a concept.

Throw this loss on Tim Tebow if you want, but this is a game that was lost before he set foot on the field.

Oh, but John Fox is a defensive coach, right? So his defense is where we will really see a solid game plan.

You are facing a Detroit team that struggles to run the football and has an immobile quarterback.

So let's allow the run and give the quarterback plenty of time to pass. In fact, on 3rd-and-long situations, we only rush three defensive linemen.

John Fox, when you walked out onto the field, what was your plan?

I'm not sure I believe there was one. In fact, I believe this coaching staff wants to lose right now.

John Fox, give yourself an "A" for mission accomplished.