Broncos at Chargers grades: An average day for Denver in 23-20 loss

The Broncos dropped to 1-2 after another last-second loss on Sunday, this time to the Chargers. Here are the grades from the 23-20 loss:

Offense

There were still way too many three-and-outs for this group. Quarterback Bo Nix and the offense had nothing going until hitting Courtland Sutton on a 52-yard touchdown pass right before halftime to cut the lead to 10-7. They seemed to find a groove with J.K. Dobbins, who needs the ball more, on the first drive of the second half and took the lead, but just two field goals after that were not enough. Nix also missed three deep balls that could have changed the game for the Broncos.

Grade: C

Defense

It’s hard to give a unit that only gave up 23 points in an NFL game an average grade, but the expectations of the Denver defense are higher. And they don’t come up clutch. The pass rush was great on Justin Herbert, and Brandon Jones got the team’s first pick of the season. But with the game on the line, Herbert and the Chargers went right down the field to tie then eventually win the game.

Grade: C

Special teams

There was a bad Nik Bonitto penalty on a punt that gave the Chargers a first down early in the game, but that was the only blunder. Marvin Mims is electric in the return game and seems poised to break one and go the distance soon.

Grade: B

Coaching

Ten penalties for 90 yards are too many for a team with dreams of making the playoffs. The flags were ranging from costly personal fouls, erroneous alignment and numerous pass interference calls. Sean Payton must get his team more disciplined. On the play-calling front, it seemed like Payton wanted to get RJ Harvey involved early, but it set the offense back in the early going.

Grade: C-minus