The Denver Broncos playoff push may be over with a 15-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. In a season primed with hope and a very talented, well-constructed roster, with only three weeks left in the regular season this group appears to be fighting their largest uphill battle yet.
Every game from here is a “must-win” if Denver wants any chance to sneak into the playoffs and that is still statistically unlikely.
The Broncos will need key performances from their starters with the season on the line.
Best Offensive Performance- Quinn Meinerz- 79.5 (6th of 74 guards)
Quinn Meinerz has been a revelation since being inserted into the starting lineup and has played with unmatched physicality. Since week 10 Meinerz has had only one grade below 69.3 and, in the previous two weeks finished with a top-two offensive grade before scoring top marks this week.
The mauler from Wisconsin-Whitewater has been especially effective in the run game where he graded out at a strong 78.0, second highest on the team only behind Bobby Massie (79.9)
Quinn Meinerz gonna be a perennial Pro Bowler
— Bryan (@bryan_k215) December 19, 2021
“The Gut” appears to be a big hit for George Paton as part of his first Denver draft class and could burgeon into a regular Pro Bowl caliber interior offensive lineman. His spot in the rotation at this point should be guaranteed.
Worst Offensive Performance- Lloyd Cushenberry- 44.7 (34th of 36 centers)
This offensive line group has had it’s ups and downs throughout the season and Lloyd Cushenberry is no exception. Coming out of the gate with a strong showing, Cushenberry slipped lower and lower down the list and now has found himself at rock bottom.
Cushenberry had a tough assignment against the potent Bengal’s defensive line on Sunday and was battered pretty much the whole way. Cincinnati was able to slow the Bronco’s running attack significantly and more often than not, the young center was unable to finish his blocks in order to create lanes.
D.J. Reader just ate Lloyd Cushenberry. Like literally ate him up.
— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) December 19, 2021
As a second-year player nobody should be ready to make a call on his career as an NFL-er but his position is one that you could see Paton add personnel to in order to foster competition moving forward.
Best Defensive Performance- Jonas Griffith- 81.4 (8th of 107 linebackers)
Seeing the top linebacking duo go down with injury early is a huge blow for most teams but having young depth that can step up in their absence makes that pain ease. After Josey Jewell and Alexander Johnson’s seasons ended prematurely, Jonas Griffith, a special team acquisition made in August, was called in to start against the explosive Bengals offense.
Griffith was more than game and had an immaculate showing in his first start as a Denver Broncos. He flew all over the field and ended with 8 solo tackles to lead the team.
Final numbers in @jonasgriffith 1st NFL start:
9 Tackles
8 Solo
1 Tackle for Loss
2 QB HitsGREAT!!! @IndStFB #GoSycamores
— That Syc Fan (@btisu22) December 20, 2021
If he continues to play with the same intensity and attitude, Denver may have a very easy time forgetting about the likes of Jewell, Alexander and Kenny Young, all free agents at the years end. The pairing of Baron Browning and Jonas Griffith could become the new mainstay in the middle of the Broncos defense for the next few years.
Worst Defensive Performance- DeShawn Williams- 39.7 (135th of 147 defensive linemen)
Another week finds a Denver defensive lineman scoring the worst grade with DeShawn Williams falling short against the Bengals. Williams, who has impressed over the course of the season, had a lackluster showing in a spot start against a beat-up Bengals line.
DeShawn Williams gets the start in place of Dre'Mont Jones (foot). There is hope Jones can return next week vs. Raiders. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) December 19, 2021
Joe Mixon and company were able to rush for a total of 113 yards, many of those coming up the middle. Especially in regards to some deft scrambles by Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow.
The defense cannot be held responsible for the loss against the Bengals only allowing 15 points, but the trend of defensive linemen grading out as the lowest for multiple weeks in a row now may shed some light about where the Broncos should be looking to improve in the off-season.