Broncos vs. Steelers grades: Offense fails to produce touchdown in loss

The Broncos fell in their home opener, 13-6, against the Steelers at Empower Field.

Here are game grades from The Denver Gazette:

Offense

Things didn’t get much easier for rookie quarterback Bo Nix in his second NFL start. He stretched the field more with completions of 26 yards and 49 yards in the third quarter. Nix also threw two picks (one in the red zone) and turned the ball over on downs. The Broncos failed to establish the run (3.4 yards per carry) while chasing points late in the game. The offense is still searching for its identity with just one touchdown scored over their first two games.

Grade: D+

Defense

Holding your opponent to fewer than 14 points is usually a recipe for NFL success. Not for these Broncos. Their defense was mostly solid, forcing eight Pittsburgh punts, and holding their total offense to 251 yards. But Denver also failed to create any turnovers in a game where they felt necessary to win. Cornerback Pat Surtain didn’t have the best outing, either, with two defensive holding penalties. The Broncos created two sacks from defensive end Zach Allen and outside linebacker Jonah Elliss.

Grade: B

Special teams

Punt coverage might be the Broncos greatest team strength after two games. In the second quarter, Riley Dixon booted the football 51 yards near the Steelers end zone. Fullback Michael Burton caught it on a bounce at the 1-yard line. Will Lutz went two-for-two on field goal attempts (long of 35 yards). The new kickoff rules have yet to produce a big play from return man Marvin Mims. The Broncos also did not give up any big returns.

Grade: A-

Coaching

Denver went for it on fourth-and-seven from the Pittsburgh 39-yard line before halftime instead of punt or long field. Nix threw a pass intended for rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin, well before the sticks, that was nearly intercepted at the line of scrimmage. The Broncos once again struggled to run and Nix still regularly operated from empty shotgun sets. It felt like Sean Payton got outcoached (again) to start the season 0-2 (again).

Grade: C-