The Denver Broncos continue to quiet the naysayers after a thrilling, 41-32 Monday Night Football victory over the Browns. The game was a rollercoaster, ultimately decided by not one, but two, Denver pick-sixes. Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) Week 13 grades highlight several Broncos players with season-high marks on both sides of the ball.
Offense
Best Offensive Players
- TE/FB Nate Adkins: 89.2
- G Quinn Meinerz: 82.2
- QB Bo Nix: 76.5
- WR Marvin Mims: 76.0
- WR Courtland Sutton: 74.2
Worst Offensive Players
- RB Javonte Williams: 45.2
- TE Adam Trautman: 50.3
- OL Matt Peart: 55.1
- OT Garett Bolles: 55.6
- OL Luke Wattenberg: 57.9
Bo Nix (76.5) and Courtland Sutton (74.2) have quickly emerged as one of the NFL’s most dynamic duos. Though Sutton had an early drop, he quickly bounced back and became the go-to guy on third downs. Meanwhile, the chemistry between Nix and Marvin Mims (76.0) has ignited, culminating in a jaw-dropping 93-yard touchdown pass that could be the league’s best throw of the year.
For the first time since Week 14 of 2016, the Broncos had two players with 100+ receiving yards in the same game.
Courtland Sutton & Marvin Mims Jr. just made history. 🏈🔥 pic.twitter.com/44W5W3BRIt
— Moody (@EricNMoody) December 3, 2024
Jaleel McLaughlin (71.0) has solidified his position as the starting running back. He outperformed Audric Estimé (70.5) with 14 carries for 84 yards. Meanwhile, Javonte Williams’ (45.2) usage continues to dwindle. Excluding the Falcons game, Williams has gained zero rushing yards on his last 14 carries.
Garett Bolles’ (55.6) low grade is perplexing, especially considering his strong pass-blocking performance (71.8) against Myles Garrett, who failed to record a sack. However, his run-blocking grade (55.6) was much lower, contributing to his overall score.
Defense
Best Defensive Players
- OLB Nik Bonitto: 92.3
- CB Ja’Quan McMillian: 91.6
- CB Damarri Mathis: 77.6arroi
- DL John Franklin-Myers: 76.5
- OLB Jonathon Cooper: 76.3
Worst Defensive Players
- CB Levi Wallace: 32.0
- DB Brandon Jones: 35.8
- CB Kris Abrams-Draine: 37.6
- DL Malcolm Roach: 47.5
- DB P.J. Locke: 53.4
Nik Bonitto (92.3) continues to dominate on defense, solidifying his legitimate candidacy for Defensive Player of the Year. His game-changing pick-six in the third quarter shifted the momentum of a tightly contested game. With 11.0 sacks, he’s currently second in the NFL and on pace for 14.5.
Nik Bonitto introducing himself to the country. pic.twitter.com/QmGboqAqCR
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 3, 2024
Denver’s defense turned the tide with not one, but two pick-sixes. Ja’Quan McMillian (91.6) provided the game-clinching interception late in the fourth quarter. While PFF has graded McMillian critically most of this season, they awarded him the third-highest grade amongst all cornerbacks in Week 13.
Levi Wallace (32.0) had one of the roughest performances of any player this season. Tasked with covering Jerry Jeudy in the absence of Riley Moss, Wallace struggled mightily, allowing six receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns, according to PFF. In hindsight, placing Wallace in such a critical position may have been unfair.
Special Teams
- ST Jonah Elliss: 73.6
- R Marvin Mims: 60.6
- K Wil Lutz: 66.3 (FG) 52.0 (KO)
- P Riley Dixon: 69.9
Riley Dixon’s (69.9) ball placement provided a much-needed boost for Denver’s struggling defense. Wil Lutz (66.3) was again perfect on all seven of his kicks.
After a thrilling primetime win, the Broncos head into their bye week with a comfortable two-game lead as the seventh seed. Their playoff hopes are firmly in their own hands. The final stretch of the season will see them battle the Colts, Chargers, Bengals, and Chiefs.