Broncos vs. Chargers grades: Slow start dooms Denver in 23-16 loss

The Broncos' three-game winning streak was ended on Sunday by the Los Angeles Chargers.

Here are the grades for the 23-16 loss:

Offense

It's hard to score when you don't have the ball and when you do, you give it back to the other team. That is exactly what the Broncos did in the first half. The Broncos started to get things going in the fourth quarter but it was too little, too late. Receiver Courtland Sutton made another unreal touchdown catch and after a bad three quarters, Bo Nix got it going late.

Grade: D

Defense

Vance Joseph's group was on the field for the whole first half and looked tired. They also lost Patrick Surtain II on the defense's first play which changed everything. The Chargers were 11-for-18 on third downs as Denver could not get off the field. They kept the Broncos in it but were on the field just way too much.

Grade: C

Special teams

Tremon Smith had a 31-yard kickoff return. Wil Lutz hit his only extra point. Punter Riley Dixon pinned the Chargers inside the 20 three times in the loss.

Grade: A

Coaching

Sean Payton's first 15 plays are not hitting. The Broncos are slow out of the gate in every game. The coach needs to find a way to get Nix going early so the Broncos don't fall behind so quickly. Denver seems to be at its best when they go up-tempo but don't do it enough.