Sometimes you only get one shot. And while Week 7 was far from the only starting opportunity experienced by Fabian Moreau in his career, who’s to say it would be part of a lingering chance with the Broncos?
Denver signed the seven-year veteran during training camp. He stuck on the roster. But until last Sunday, almost all of his repetitions came on special teams.
The struggles of Damarri Mathis necessitated the change to Moreau. And he flourished.
“Amazing,” safety Justin Simmons said when asked to describe Moreau’s performance Sunday.
Targeted five times, he allowed just two receptions for 7 yards, according to the data compiled by SportRadar.com. Moreau also broke up a pass down the sideline.
“I thought Fab did a heck of a job, man,” Simmons said. “And the biggest thing — communication is always the No. 1 thing when we’re out there. And there’s so much that we do defensively that requires that.
“… Seamless transition. He made a couple of really great plays in the back end, contested deep balls, pass breakups. He was a heck of a player back there.”
And Moreau was a significant reason why the Broncos defense got high marks.
DEFENSE
OVERALL GRADE: B
PASSING DEFENSE: B
It was all about containing Jordan Love and plastering Packers receivers, and for the first two-thirds of the game, the Broncos neutralized both. Moreau stepped in for Damarri Mathis and provided an immediate improvement on the left flank. P.J. Locke also showed outstanding range on his game-sealing interception; now he’ll get at least a two-week look at safety in the wake of Kareem Jackson’s two-game suspension.
No Broncos defensive back missed a tackle against the pass, although Alex Singleton did have a pair of misses from his inside-linebacker position. But the pass rush wasn’t consistent; the Broncos mustered just three hits on Packers QB Jordan Love — one each by Zach Allen, Jonathon Cooper and Ronnie Perkins.
RUSHING DEFENSE: C
This is two-consecutive games in which the Broncos largely contained the damage on the ground after being gashed by the Dolphins, Bears and Jets in Weeks 3-5. But Green Bay’s ground attack got stronger as it pounded the Broncos in the second half. The Packers were largely steady, forced a handful of missed tackles and managed to average 4.7 yards per carry despite not having a single run beyond 15 yards.
OFFENSE
OVERALL GRADE: B
If the Broncos are to flourish this season on offense, this is how it needed to look. They had persistence on the ground, allowing the team to control the tempo.
PASSING: B
Sean Payton and Russell Wilson opened wisely, targeting fill-in Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine on the game’s third play. The 33-yard Wilson-to-Courtland Sutton connection that ensured put the Broncos near field goal range not even 60 seconds into the game. But from there, the Broncos opened for control; the pass to Sutton was the only gain of more than 20 yards for the entire Denver offense Sunday.
Protection of Wilson held up well; Green Bay hit the 12-year veteran QB just three times.
The Broncos still need to involve Marvin Mims Jr. more often as a receiving target, but if the ground game can continue flourishing, opportunities to hit Mims over the top will arrive. Still, just one target for Mims remains a bit perplexing.
RUSHING: B-plus
Javonte Williams recaptured his pre-injury form for the first time this season. Both Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin each had an explosive run of more than 20 yards, and with Samaje Perine chipping in 10 yards on a pair of carries, the Broncos’ three running backs averaged 6.2 yards per attempt. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey also had a particularly strong game in blocking support; Denver averaged 7.0 yards per carry rushing off of his spot.
SPECIAL TEAMS
OVERALL GRADE: A-minus
Wil Lutz hasn’t missed a placekick since Week 1, and Sunday was his apex performance since joining the Broncos.
The return game wasn’t much of a factor. If there is a frustrating spot, it is in the punting game. With opportunities for field-flipping punts, Riley Dixon has yet to capitalize to the maximum effect so far this season.
