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How to Read this Chart

If any player name listed in the chart below is italicized, a team's grade will be expressed as a range instead of a single definite number. Italics indicate I have doubts about whether that player actually justifies inclusion within whatever category he's being associated with. Credible cases can be made for and against that player with respect to the criterion of the particular category where his name has been listed.
If a team's grade is expressed as a range, that range represents the worst-case scenario and best-case scenario. In the worst-case scenario, NO italicized player will be included in the scoring. In the best-case scenario, ALL italicized players will be included in the scoring.
Quarterbacks are evaluated either as a liability, adequate, or elite. The "adequate" label implies some measure of competence whereas the "liability" label implies that the quarterback is unable to play dropback football with any degree of competency.
Premiere Offensive Weapons are defined as high-performing skill players who add dimensionality on offense. The more ways a team can matriculate the ball downfield, the more names you will likely see listed here.
Elite Defensive Linemen are defined as truly dominant defensive linemen who can consistently control the line of scrimmage and consistently create havoc in the offensive backfield. Consistency of production is the main criteria used to evaluate pass rushers. Sacks, quarterback hits, tackles, batted passes, and turnovers are also considered here when assessing whether a given lineman can be considered elite.
Elite Coverage Defenders are defined as elite defensive backs or inside linebackers who excel at their particular role. Linebackers needs to show range in the flat, be able to cover flat receivers, and show up consistently in run support. Safeties need to show range and engineer turnover opportunities. Cornerbacks have to demonstrate an ability to shutdown most receivers that line up opposite them. It would also help if any of these coverage defenders have a knack for rushing the passer.
A successful comeback is defined as a game where a team mounted a scoring drive beginning in the fourth quarter to retake the lead and win the game OR a game where a team rallied back from a double-digit scoring deficit to eventually win the game.
Home field advantage is self-explanatory. In any postseason game between two teams from the same conference, the higher seed will always have home field advantage.

Denver Broncos
Passer Evaluation	Bo Nix (Liability)
Premiere Offensive Weapons 1 point for the first player 2 points for the second player 4 points for each successive player	Jaleel McLaughlin Courtland Sutton Bo Nix (Mobile QB) Marvin Mims Jr.
Elite Defensive Linemen 4 points per player	Zach Allen Nik Bonitto Jonathan Cooper
Elite Coverage Defenders 2 points per player	Pat Surtain II
Number of Successful Comebacks 2 points if the team successfully staged exactly 2 comebacks 3 points if the team staged more than 2 comebacks	4
Number of Comebacks Surrendered 2 points if the team surrendered exactly 2 comebacks 3 points if the team surrendered fewer than 2 comebacks	2
Tactical Edges Lost Only impacts a team's grade when that team is facing against another club listed here. The more teams listed here, the worse a team's odds of advancing	OffenseDefense
Tactical Edges Gained Only impacts a team's grade when that team is facing against another club listed here. The more teams listed here, the better a team's odds of advancing	OffenseDefense Chiefs Chargers Ravens Chiefs Chargers Ravens
GRADE	14 - 30

The Broncos are an interesting team to me. On both sides of the ball, I find them to be a bit of a black box.

Offensively, Bo Nix has experienced highs and lows in his level of quarterbacking play. Lately though, it does seem like when the games matter more, his quarterbacking ability tends to suffer, which in turn hurts the passing game. It's this inconsistency that makes me cautious when assigning vector status to any of the wide receivers. Marvin Mims and Courtland Sutton have been incredible at points in the season...but if consistency is the primary indicator used to judge skill players, than only Sutton merits designation as a definitive vector for the offense given his EPA numbers.

Defensively, that same lack of consistency surfaces yet again along their defensive front. Granted, the Broncos have the league's most successful defensive front if you judge them by the raw metrics. But on tape, only Zach Allen shows up on a consistent basis as a disruptive force. Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper have demonstrated flashes as true edge rushers, but there's not enough tape to support their assignment as definitively elite pass rushers.

The reality is that they're going up against a very tough opponent in the first round. Denver has potential, but Buffalo is too good for them.

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