The Denver Broncos’ season opener couldn’t have gone much worse. After sweeping their division rivals last season, Denver came out flat, and were embarrassed in a 31-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Given the team’s struggles, it’s hardly surprising that no Broncos player earned a grade above 80 from Pro Football Focus (PFF) in its Week 1 grades.

Here’s a closer look at Denver’s best and worst individual performances from the loss.

Offense

Best Players

  • G Quinn Meinerz: 79.9
  • TE Evan Engram: 75.8
  • LT Garett Bolles: 70.1
  • RT Mike McGlinchey: 69.2
  • FB Adam Prentice: 68.8

There was a brief glimmer of hope when Engram found the end zone in the first quarter to temporarily tie the game. J.K. Dobbins (56.0) and RJ Harvey (60.2) combined for just 11 carries, but they made the most of them, totaling 54 yards and averaging 4.9 yards per carry. That production was reflected in three of the Broncos’ five highest grades going to offensive linemen.

Worst Players

  • QB Bo Nix: 33.4
  • TE Adam Trautman: 43.1
  • WR Troy Franklin: 44.7
  • WR Jaylen Waddle: 46.9
  • TE Nate Adkins: 46.9

Nix had, easily, the worst game of his NFL career. He was sacked four times, fumbled three times, and threw an interception on the very first drive of the game. To make matters worse, neither of his two biggest weapons, Jaylen Waddle (46.9) or Courtland Sutton (45.5), provided much help. The two wide receivers combined for just three catches on eight targets for a measly 13 yards.

Defense

Best Players

  • DL Zach Allen: 74.8
  • OLB Que Robinson: 70.9
  • CB Pat Surtain II: 65.4
  • OLB Dondrea Tillman: 60.6
  • OLB Nik Bonitto: 59.1

There wasn’t much to celebrate on the defensive side of the ball, but Allen managed to provide a few bright spots. He finished with five tackles, three quarterback hits, and two sacks. According to PFF, Surtain was targeted just once, allowing a single catch for six yards. He was docked for missing a tackle, however – more on that in a moment.

Worst Players

  • DL D.J. Jones: 27.9
  • LB Justin Strnad: 33.4
  • DL Eyioma Uwazurike: 36.7
  • LB Alex Singleton: 51.0
  • CB Jahdae Barron: 51.0

By the eyeball test, it looked like the Broncos’ defense forgot how to tackle during the offseason. PFF backed up that observation, crediting the entire unit with 24 missed tackles. Those missed tackles proved especially costly against the run, as Denver surrendered 220 rushing yards and allowed Kenneth Walker to look like a superstar in his first game as a Chief. PFF lists Singleton and Ja’Quan McMillian (54.0) as the biggest offenders, with each missing four tackles.

Special Teams

  • ST Pat Bryant: 74.7
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 72.6
  • KR Marvin Mims Jr.: 62.0
  • P Jeremy Crawshaw: 68.7
  • K Wil Lutz: 62.2 (FG) 60.0 (KO)

Denver will have a chance to put its disastrous season opener behind it this week, but the Jacksonville Jaguars won’t make it easy. Jacksonville is coming off a dominant Week 1 victory, setting up another tough test for the Broncos. Kickoff is set for Sunday at 2:25 p.m. MST.