CRIME — A-

Bo Nix easily chalked up his best professional performance to date, scoring four goals in total. The rookie quarterback stood in the pocket and threw darts down the field with virtually no pressure to worry about. This marked the second time the Broncos had scored an offensive touchdown in a game under head coach Sean Payton and the fourth time they had scored an offensive touchdown in the last three seasons. If you want to argue, Denver didn’t have much of a running game for most of the early portions of the contest. It didn’t really matter though. After a fumble and punt on their first two drives, Nix and company scored on four of their next five possessions.

DEFENSE — A-

The Broncos defense got off to a rough start, giving up four first downs, missing several interceptions and surrendering a touchdown to the anemic Panthers offense on its first drive – albeit one set up by Lil’Jordan Humphrey’s fumble. But from there, Vance Joseph’s group did its part. They allowed just one first point from 6:24 of the first quarter until late in the third. The Panthers did not score again until the closing seconds. Pat Surtain II and Ja’Quan McMillian pinned Bryce Young. It was the kind of quarantine performance expected from this group.

SPECIAL TEAMS — B

Another week, another quality outing for the Broncos’ punting team. Riley Dixon hooked a nice punt that Tremon Smith tipped to Lucas Krull. Krull was able to keep the ball out of the end zone and the Broncos fumbled the ball at the 1-yard line. This is the fourth time they have done so in seven games this season.