Broncos Player Grades for Chiefs Win Reveals Brand-New MVP

How do the Broncos players grade out from their latest win that brings them to 3-5 on the season?

Not even two weeks removed from losing to the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football, the Denver Broncos pulled out their second consecutive win. That victory ended the Chiefs' 16-game winning streak over the Broncos.

Denver displayed an excellent defensive and special teams performance vs. Kansas City in Week 8, and the offense did enough. Many things went the Broncos' way for once, including the lack of respect the Chiefs exhibited in their first meeting. 

The Broncos took that to heart, while the Chiefs overlooked the second matchup as they looked past their opponent to a game against the Miami Dolphins in Germany. Ultimately, the Broncos made the Chiefs pay for disrespecting and overlooking them.

Now, it's time to get into the Week 8 player grades. I had to skip Week 7's grades due to traveling for the Mile High Huddle Meet and Greet, but they will be mentioned here. Today's focus is on this victory over the Chiefs, however, and the analysis below each grade is solely for Week 8. 

A player starts with a score of 50 and gets graded for each play based on how he impacts the overall play. Remember that some players qualify for a grade but go unmentioned in these articles because I aim to emphasize the noteworthy performances each week, for better or worse.

Offensive MVP: Quinn Meinerz | OG

Grade: 75.3 

There was so much energy from Meinerz, who loved the bully ball the Broncos committed to. He consistently executed his blocks, but he carried that to making the needed second and third blocks. While there were a couple of pressures allowed, they were not entirely Meinerz's fault. 

Week 7: 52.8

Defensive MVP: Ja'Quan McMillian | CB

Grade: 82.7 

When the Broncos put McMillian in the starting lineup, the team's defensive performance improved. He's done an excellent job against the run and has played well in coverage since his first start. 

There was a sequence of three plays that McMillian made that kept the Chiefs out of the end zone and forced them to kick a field goal. Denver may have found an undrafted gem here. 

Week 7: 72.5

Quarterback: Russell Wilson

Grade: 57.4 

There were still issues with Wilson's play, mainly in his reading of the defense and holding the ball too long. Multiple sacks he took fell on him as he had an open receiver but looked off of them. The worst was when he felt pressure and climbed in the pocket with the defender touching him, only for him to stop and be strip-sacked. 

Wilson has been a fine quarterback this season, but has he been worthy of his $250 million contract? That's the question, as the Broncos have to decide if they want to commit to him financially for 2024 and 2025. 

Week 7: 64.8

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The Positive

Zach Allen | IDL | Grade: 81.5

Allen was a monster for the Broncos and was so disruptive. What makes it even more impressive is the Chiefs have one of the best interior offensive lines in the NFL, and Allen dominated from start to finish. It took Allen some time, but the past couple of games are why the Broncos signed him. 

Week 7: 69.4

Baron Browning | OLB | Grade: 75.6 

The Broncos' pass rush was solid, but it got even better when Browning returned. He has played in two games and picked up 10 total pressures, the fourth-most on this team. What Browning brings to the pass rush is a different element compared to the other Broncos rush linebackers.  

Week 7: 62.7

Courtland Sutton | WR | Grade: 74.7 

Sutton has done a good job for the Broncos this season overall, though there have been some bad moments. His ability to make contested catches was forgotten for a while, but Wilson and the Broncos have remembered, leading to multiple big plays and even some drawn penalties. 

Week 7: 71.8

Garett Bolles | OT | Grade: 73.1 

Bolles has been having a good season, where penalties haven't been a significant factor. The issue has always been consistency for Bolles and putting bad plays behind him. Neither has been an issue this season. 

Week 7: 54.2

The Negative

Marvin Mims Jr. | WR | Grade: 47.3

Those explosive plays from Mims were nice, but some fumbles have hurt. Against the Chiefs, he played 28 snaps, 15 of them as a receiver, where he was targeted once. His play as a run blocker has been rough, and with Jerry Jeudy having issues there as well, Denver is stuck trying to find ways to get Mims more involved. 

Week 7: Did not qualify

Jonathan Harris | IDL | Grade: 47.4 

While the Chiefs offensive line struggled, none of their issues were because of Harris. They controlled him from start to finish, basically. It has been a rough season for the starter. 

Week 7: 52.1

P.J. Locke | S | Grade: 48.7 

Locke got the start for the suspended Kareem Jackson. Locke did well in coverage, but it was his first start and only the second time he played more than 15 snaps in a game. 

Locke's run fills are a work in progress, but the defense was cohesive. Could he remain the starter after Jackson gets done with his suspension? 

Week 7: Did not qualify.

Adam Trautman | TE | Grade: 52.1 

Trautman is extremely hit-or-miss from play to play. He will have a great block on one play, only to be put on the ground on the next. He also has not found a way to make himself useful in the passing game. 

Week 7: 41.1

Other Noteworthy Grades

Nik Bonitto | OLB | Grade: 72.9

This was the most complete game from Bonitto in his career. He was excellent at getting after the quarterback but held up exceptionally well against the run. 

Week 7: 40.2

Lloyd Cushenberry III | OC | Grade: 72.5 

This was the best game in Cushenberry's career and the first game this season that made one think he should be extended. Denver still gives him help in pass protection, but they could ease back on that, as the line was more effective. 

What stood out was Cushenberry's work as a run blocker, making those second and third blocks, as well as his awareness. 

Week 7: 62.9

Ben Powers | OG | Grade: 70.8 

The Broncos' interior offensive line is getting it together as a unit. Cushenberry and Meinerz had a great game, and Powers was there with them. Powers' play as a run blocker has been strong all season, and he looked good in pass protection. If the three interior blockers keep it up, Denver's run game can become excellent. 

Week 7: 62.6

Foster Moreau | CB | Grade: 54.2

The defense was noticeably better in Week 7 with their play in coverage, and Moreau taking the starting job from Damarri Mathis had a part in that. While it wasn't as good a game against the Chiefs, Moreau was still solid in that starting role opposite Patrick Surtain II. 

Week 7: 70.9

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