ATTACK — F

Early on, the Broncos didn’t move the ball. When they finally did, rookie quarterback Bo Nix threw a brutal interception in the end zone in search of Courtland Sutton in the third quarter.

The Broncos ran the ball on their first two plays, but gained zero yards. Denver mustered just 62 yards and three first downs on 20 snaps in the first half, while Pittsburgh carried a shutout into the fourth quarter.

Denver didn’t have a completion longer than 8 yards in the first half, and Nix’s seven completions resulted in just 39 yards over the span. Denver went 1-of-5 on third down, recorded two sacks and didn’t create a red zone opportunity until the third quarter — one that ended in a turnover.

DEFENSE — B

The Broncos defense did what it could to keep the team within reach. Through the first three quarters, Pittsburgh averaged 4.2 yards per carry and Justin Fields had 117 passing yards. The Steelers put together one long touchdown drive in the first half, and their two field goals after that came on a turnover on downs and Nix’s interception in the second and third quarters, respectively. The Broncos didn’t take the ball away early in the game, and Pat Surtain II had a rough day at the office — three penalties and a couple of tackles by George Pickens. Overall, though, this group did more than enough to win.

SPECIAL TEAMS — B

This group has been Denver’s best so far. They haven’t generated much in the return game — not much with the NFL’s dynamic kickoff rule a dynamic failure so far — but the coverage units have been really good. Justin Strnad helped a punt from the 1-yard line and Riley Dixon averaged 52.3 yards per punt. On a tough offensive day, the unit did its job of consistently forcing Pittsburgh to drive the length of the field instead of letting the field position battle tilt too far.

COACHING — V