Pro Football Focus: Analysis and Grades for New Orleans vs Denver
 

DEN-NO GRADES: DARIAN STEWART, BRONCOS’ DEFENSE IMPRESS IN WIN OVER SAINTS
Highest-graded players and top takeaways from the Broncos' Week 10 win over the Saints.

KIERNAN HOGAN | 13 HOURS AGO
Denver Broncos 25, New Orleans Saints 23

Here are the top-graded players and biggest takeaways from Denver’s 25-23 win over the Saints in New Orleans.

(excerpts)

New Orleans Saints
Quarterback grade: Drew Brees, 52.6

Brees excellent under pressure, but comeback falls just short

Saints QB Drew Brees had trouble finding open receivers against an excellent Broncos’ secondary. He threw a pair of interceptions, both of which were the result of forcing passes into tight coverage. Even his game-tying touchdown pass to WR Brandin Cooks was an underthrown deep pass into double coverage. Brees also made some excellent throws in this game, and was at his best under pressure (8-of-12 for 149 yards, two touchdowns, 149.0 QB rating).

Top offensive grades:

WR Brandin Cooks, 81.6

WR Willie Snead, 76.8

LG Senio Kelemete, 73.2

TE Coby Fleener, 72.4

C Max Unger, 72.3

Young receivers lead New Orleans offense

Saints wide receivers Willie Snead and Brandin Cooks led the offense in overall grading after combining for eight catches, 145 yards, and three touchdowns. Rookie WR Michael Thomas was at the other end of the spectrum, fumbling twice in the fourth quarter and finishing with a 39.8 overall grade. The offensive line had a tough time holding up in pass protection against Denver’s pass-rush. RT Zach Strief (39.7 pass-blocking grade) struggled against Von Miller and earned his first below-average grade of the season after allowing two QB hits and two QB hurries.

Top defensive grades:

DE Cameron Jordan, 90.0

LB Craig Robertson, 84.3

CB Sterling Moore, 83.7

LB Dannell Ellerbe, 81.6

DT Nick Fairley, 80.3

Jordan takes full advantage of Denver’s right tackles

Saints DE Cameron Jordan was dominant on nearly every snap in this game, finishing with one sack, one hit, seven hurries, and six run stops for a game-best 90.0 overall grade. Jordan currently ranks fourth among all NFL edge defenders in overall 2016 grade, excelling both in run defense and as a pass-rusher. DT Nick Fairley also had a solid game, recording one sack, one hit, two hurries, and a pair of run stops. Rookie safety Vonn Bell had three run stops and earned an 80.6 run-defense grade. Bell currently ranks fifth among all NFL safeties in run-defense grade, and has missed just one tackle in 2016.

PFF Game-Ball Winner: Cameron Jordan, DE, Saints

Re: Pro Football Focus: Analysis and Grades for New Orleans vs Denver
 

Again, not surprised by Cam Jordan's performance as a 10mil/year defensive end should dominate reserve-level right tackles...

Fairley earned a good grade and the defensive line as a whole played well especially Davison and Rankins in short yardage...

We were awfully thin at linebacker, and they even had some linebacker get a sack with an Ellerbe jersey on...

Re: Pro Football Focus: Analysis and Grades for New Orleans vs Denver
 

I like the grade of Vonn Bell too, I'm guessing the one tackle he missed was the long TD vs san diego in his first start.

Great game by Cam once again, his pressure led directly to Kenny's interception.

Re: Pro Football Focus: Analysis and Grades for New Orleans vs Denver
 

I will be honest. I hate that people acted like Thomas had a matchup he could exploit. That's just premature thinking. If this defense can shut down AJ Green what makes anyone think Thomas was anything special. Just wish the saints would not have thrown his way. We don't throw to those based on being open but designed route plays unfortunately that can be costly.

And also Brees........needs to work on his anxiety problems when first faced with competition.

Re: Pro Football Focus: Analysis and Grades for New Orleans vs Denver
 

Those two picks were forced throws? Couldn't find open WR? If im not mistaken he only had 6 or 7 in-completions including the picks...Bradley Roby kicked the ball out Michael Thomas hands not intentional but aye

Re: Pro Football Focus: Analysis and Grades for New Orleans vs Denver
 

The ball was kicked out in the process of him bringing the ball in....you cant account for that Michael Thomas is for real just had a bad game...just like Colston Henderson Meachem have ALL had some bad games ...Some plays are designed SPECIFICALLY for certain players to get the ball the Saints have some if not the best ball distribution in the NFL...

Re: Pro Football Focus: Analysis and Grades for New Orleans vs Denver
 

One of the long-needed adjustments that should be made to football statistics - forced and unforced interceptions...sometimes it really shouldn't be on the passer...

Re: Pro Football Focus: Analysis and Grades for New Orleans vs Denver
 

Zach struggled ? I'll have to re watch but I thought he was far better than his pass block-rating. Von Miller was quiet virtually the entire game & so was D Ware...

Re: Pro Football Focus: Analysis and Grades for New Orleans vs Denver
 

Yea this game he impressed me for sure have a new respect for him up until those last 2 drives I forgot about Von Miller

Re: Pro Football Focus: Analysis and Grades for New Orleans vs Denver
 

He allowed some pressure but that was expected going up against players like Miller an Ware.
The Broncos really have a good D at all levels.