Broncos Report Card: Everybody did their part in win over Chargers

Offense — B

The Broncos went 8 of 11 on third down and running backs Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams combined to rush 31 times for 137 yards. This would have an “A” except for quarterback Drew Lock’s debacle-of-a-relief appearance, lowlighted by an interception, which semi-forced coach Vic Fangio to re-insert a hobbled Teddy Bridgewater in the second half. The offense contributed nothing (three plays) in the third quarter, but the Broncos still led 14-7. A key drive was a 10-play, 80-yard march behind a makeshift offensive line to take a 21-7 lead after cornerback Pat Surtain II’s end zone interception. The Broncos allowed only one sack and Bridgewater showed his guts in the second half.

Defense — A

The Chargers gained 357 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per snap, but forget about the numbers crunching for a day. Against one of the NFL’s best offenses, the Broncos allowed only 13 points and their mostly consistent pass rush created problems for quarterback Justin Herbert, who stepped up in the pocket on Surtain’s first interception, a woeful underthrow to the end zone. Surtain’s 70-yard interception return touchdown when a pass went through running back Austin Ekeler’s hands sealed the game. Herbert was sacked three times and the dynamic Ekeler was held to 31 yards on 12 carries (long of six).

Special teams — B

The special teams had one of their best plays of the year in the first quarter when Nate Hairston downed Sam Martin’s punt at the Chargers’ 1-yard line. Los Angeles went three-and-out, the Broncos started at midfield and scored a touchdown. Martin ended with a solid 41.7-yard average on three attempts. It looked like punt returner Diontae Spencer left some yards on the field with quick hang-time kicks by the Chargers and ended with 13 yards on two returns. All five of Brandon McManus’ kickoffs were touchbacks.

Coaching — A

Credit offensive line coach Mike Munchak for preparing his backups to play and that work showed up when left guard Dalton Risner (back) was replaced by Netane Muti and left tackle Calvin Anderson (knee) was replaced by Quinn Bailey. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur had two specific great play calls. Against a five-man box on third-and-goal from the 9, he called for a Javonte Williams run (touchdown). And on a third-and-10 in the fourth quarter, he called a screen to Williams that gained 14 yards. Coach Vic Fangio had a poor challenge that didn’t come back to haunt the Broncos, but was clearly doing something with the coverage looks to confuse Herbert.