The Broncos managed to bounceback from an ugly performance against the Chiefs, with a dominating defensive performance against the Lions.

For much of the game, the Lions’ attack couldn’t muster a first-down conversion, and Lock looked clean as the running game had one of its best outings of the season.

Who were the biggest stars and biggest disappointments for Denver’s 27-17 win over the Lions? Let’s take a look:

3 Up

Phillip Lindsay

After an down performance in Kansas City, Phillip Lindsay bounced back against the Lions.

Lindsay eclipsed 90 yards for the first time since the Broncos’ game against the Browns and crossed the 100-yard threshold for just the second time this season.

Lindsay also punctuated the game with a 27-yard touchdown late, bringing the score to its final of 27-17. He totaled 109 yards with one score while he caught two passes for nine more yards as well.

DaeSean Hamilton

DaeSean Hamilton has been one of the Broncos’ most disappointing players, undeniably, but he showed a glimpse of what the Broncos have been hoping to see from him throughout his career.

At the end of the first half, Hamilton had already tied his season-high for catches and was just 17 yards behind his season-high for yards. By the end of the third quarter, he had new season-highs in each category.

In the fourth quarter, he gave the Broncos a 20-17 lead with his first touchdown of the season, which came on a shovel option close to the goal line. Performances like this are valuable to Hamilton who may be in search of a new team this summer.

Broncos Defense

The Broncos’ defense came to play on Sunday, though the stats don’t reflect just how excellently the unit played.

Outside of allowing 148 yards and 10 points combined on Detroit’s first drive of each half, they were nearly perfect, allowing 0 points and 43 yards

Denver’s pass rush also came through with five sacks despite being down Bradley Chubb, Derek Wolfe, Adam Gotsis and Demarcus Walker. It was all thanks to Malik Reed, Dre’Mont Jones and Jeremiah Attachou. The youngsters and backups really balled out all Sunday long.

3 Down

Offensive Line

The offensive line continues to be the Achilles Heel of the Broncos.

Through the game’s first quarter it seemed that every time the Broncos got anything going offensively, it would be called back by holding penalty.

The total for the first half was three such penalties, with two going to Elijah Wilkinson, who also missed time with injury, and one going to Garett Bolles. In the second half, they cleaned things up, though Lock was still pressured consistently and was forced to take some unnecessary hits.

Special Teams

Denver’s special teams unit is easily one of the worst in the league, ranking 23rd in DVOA and 21st in Pro Football Focus’ team grades.

In this game, the special teams continued to hamper the Broncos, allowing a huge punt return touchdown that allowed Detroit to put Denver in a 10-point hole.

Also, as Colby Wadman continued to serve up punts that seemed like they were fired from sea level, the Lions’ punter took full advantage of the Mile-High air, propelling beautiful spirals into the sky.

Devontae Booker

Devontae Booker has one responsibility on this Broncos team: Being a good third-down back occasionally, and he couldn’t even do that on Sunday.

Booker dropped one of his two targets of the night, a perfectly thrown rainbow from Lock that hit him directly in the hands, and didn’t add much as a blocker either.

Plus, Lindsay and Royce Freeman had stellar games. It’d be stunning if the most boring back in the league found himself on Denver’s roster next season.

At the end of the day, the Broncos earned their sixth win of the season and are trending upward as the year comes to a close.