DENVER BRONCOS-PASSING OFFENSE: D — After a strong start to the season, the Broncos’ aerial offense has slipped, bogged down by its inability to contain opposing pass rushes and its predilection for turnovers. Trevor Siemian and Brock Osweiler have combined to throw 12 interceptions, including eight in the Broncos’ last four games, and the Broncos’ team-wide passer rating of 73.5 is the third-worst in the league. Denver is one of just three teams with a negative touchdown-to-interception ratio. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas needs to be a huge part of the offense, but hasn’t been, and didn’t even score a touchdown until garbage time of the Broncos’ Week 9 loss at Philadelphia.-RUSHING OFFENSE: B-minus — When the Broncos run the ball, their offense generally works; it’s not a coincidence that they are 3-1 when they rush for at least 125 yards. Denver ranks a respectable 14th in yardage per carry and 13th in first-down rate; both are substantial improvements over last year’s rankings. But the Broncos struggle to run the football out of three-wide receiver formations and go away from the run when they fall behind, as has been the case for most of the time during their four-game losing streak.-PASS DEFENSE: B-plus — The Broncos have generally defended the pass well, limiting big plays for most of the season. But Carson Wentz gashed the Broncos for four touchdown passes in a 51-23 Week 9 thumping in Philadelphia, and the Broncos have struggled to cover tight ends throughout the season as teams typically avoid throwing at Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. The quick throws to tight ends also help keep their edge rushers from being as much of a factor as they would hope.-RUSH DEFENSE: A-minus — Philadelphia battered the Broncos on the ground in Week 9, but the Broncos’ performance over the course of the first half of the season has been stellar, thanks in large part to the presence of veteran Domata Peko at nose tackle and the steady development of second-year defensive end Adam Gotsis, who have won most of their battles at the line of scrimmage, allowing the linebackers to attack the gaps and prevent many runs from getting to the second level.-SPECIAL TEAMS: C-minus — A strength last year has become a weakness this season. Kicker Brandon McManus went through an early-season slump, missing five field-goal attempts in the first five games of the season, although he has gotten out of it with five consecutive successful attempts in the last two games. Isaiah McKenzie has shown some electric potential on punt returns, but has also fumbled four times. The team’s insistence on returning kickoffs out of the end zone remains baffling, and has rarely resulted in good field position. Punter Riley Dixon’s net average is down by 1.3 yards from last year. New special-teams coordinator Brock Olivo tried to justify the decision to return kickoffs from the end zone by citing hang time, but the Broncos’ overall special-teams issues have torpedoed their hopes.-COACHING: C — Denver’s issues have been more about execution than preparation. But the Broncos hit the season’s midway point on their longest losing streak since the Josh McDaniels era, and Joseph and his staff appear to be struggling to find answers. In recent weeks, Joseph has pointed to strong practices that have not translated to solid performances on game days, so something is being lost in the translation. If they can’t find a remedy for this disconnection, the Broncos will have their first losing season in seven years.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS-PASSING OFFENSE: A-minus — Quarterback Alex Smith posted among the strongest first halves of his career, completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 2,444 yards and 18 touchdowns in the team’s first nine games. All those numbers put him well on pace for career highs. Tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill remain on pace for 1,000-yard receiving seasons, and rookie running back Kareem Hunt provides the team with a dual-threat option out of the backfield. The Chiefs lead the league at 6.2 yards per play, and Smith and the passing game are the biggest reason why.-RUSHING OFFENSE: A-minus — The run game behind rookie Kareem Hunt deserve an A-plus for the first five games of the season, but the last four weeks bring down the average a bit. Hunt leads the league in rushing and yards from scrimmage, piling up 800 yards on the ground and adding 331 more through the air along with six touchdowns in total. Few running backs in recent weeks bolted out of the gates faster than Hunt. But with just 48 yards rushing per game the last four weeks, Hunt must find a way to make adjustments as the league seems to be solving the riddle he poses.-PASS DEFENSE: C-minus — The Chiefs rank 28th in passing yards allowed per game. The secondary missed two starters most of the first half of the season. Safety Eric Berry went to injured reserve with an Achilles tendon rupture following Week 1, and starting right cornerback Steven Nelson missed the team’s first eight games with a core muscle injury. Perhaps most distressing, the Chiefs’ pass rushing ranks tied for 16th with just 19 sacks through the first nine games. The team’s defense relies on a strong pass rush to disrupt the passing game. When the Chiefs get to the quarterback, the defense can play lights out. When they cannot, opposing quarterbacks have big days.-RUSH DEFENSE: D-minus — Even when teams don’t rush the ball particularly well, they still seem to find ways to pile up yards against the Chiefs. The teams ranks 30th in the league with 131.1 rushing yards allowed per game. They also allowed nine rushing touchdowns, showing signs that the bend-but-don’t-break defensive philosophy needs repairs quickly. The Chiefs seem to have the pieces to be better against the run, especially with the addition of defensive tackle Bennie Logan and linebacker Reggie Ragland. The team again misses the expertise of safety Eric Berry against the run.-SPECIAL TEAMS: B-plus - The kicking game has been close to perfect with rookie kicker Harrison Butker connecting on his last 19 straight field-goal attempts. Punter Dustin Colquitt carries a less than stellar 39.4 net punting average but his ability to put the ball inside the 20 remains among the best in the league. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub normally hangs his hat on the return game, but the Chiefs have struggled in that area. The Chiefs rank eighth in kickoff returns with a 23.3-yard average. Teams normally avoid punt returner Tyreek Hill, leaving the Chiefs 17th in the league with an 8.2-yard return average.-COACHING: B - Head coach Andy Reid and his staff deserve much of the credit for the team’s 5-0 start, but it also holds significant ownership in the 1-3 slump leading to the bye week. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton finds himself the target of much of the criticism with the team ranking 28th against the pass, 30th versus the run and 20th with 23.1 points allowed per game. The Chiefs have a Super Bowl offense and a No. 1 overall draft pick defense. Finding a way to improve the defense in the second half stands between the Chiefs and postseason success.LOS ANGELES CHARGERS-PASSING OFFENSE: B — Philip Rivers has been far from perfect. Just like he’s far from finished as he’s midway through his 12th season in the NFL. Rivers has cut down on his turnovers, especially in the last four games in which the Chargers have won three. His receivers have been solid and Melvin Gordon has proven to be a great option out of the backfield. Keenan Allen is back to his Pro Bowl-caliber play and tight end Hunter Henry has been rediscovered of late. The protection has been pretty good, with the pressures being limited because of steady play from the rebuilt offensive line and Rivers’ knack for getting rid of the ball quickly.-RUSHING OFFENSE: B-minus — Melvin Gordon has found his mojo, even if some of it is coming from the passing game. But Gordon has been the bell cow that Lynn envisioned as he paces the team with seven touchdowns (four rushing) and 526 yards. The run blocking has been up and down as the team still gets everyone on the same page with a rebuilt line. Now with Matt Slauson (biceps) out, the line will have to prove it can keep plugging along with rookie Dan Feeney at right guard. Rookie Austin Ekeler has the team’s only other rushing touchdown as he went 35 yards with his first NFL carry,-PASS DEFENSE: A — The secondary is pretty good with Casey Hayward and Trevor Williams at the corners. But what makes the back end so efficient is what is happening up front as Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa continue to live life in rivals’ backfields. Ingram and Bosa each have 8.5 sacks as they’ve become one of the most prolific pass-rushing tandems in the game. Tre Boston has played well at free safety and Jahleel Addae continues to provide the physical presence that others feed off. The Chargers’ pass defense is No. 8 in the league, with Ingram and Bosa being a big reason why.-RUSH DEFENSE: F — There are 32 teams in the NFL and all but one is better than the Chargers in stopping the run. A problem that was especially evident early in the season has helped lead to many of the Chargers’ defeats. Denzel Perryman, probably the team’s best tackler, has missed the first eight games with an ankle injury that has led to the poor play here. But all the blame can’t go there as there has been shoddy tackling and a lack of purpose at the point of the attack that has allowed teams to gain an average of 135 rushing yards per game. But there’s hope here as in the last three games, the Chargers have allowed 92 rushing yards and 3.8 yards per carry. Combined with the return of Perryman, the run defense could continue to trend upward.SPECIAL TEAMS: D-minus — Travis Benjamin returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown and that is what kept this unit away from a F grade. Otherwise, it has been blown opportunities from the kicking game — rookie kicker Younghoe Koo was replaced — and the coverages have been spotty, too. Penalties? The Chargers got one for lining up offsides on a kickoff. Nick Novak has provided some stability with field goals and extra points, but his leg strength is such that converting a field goal from 45 yards and out is considered a long shot. Punter Drew Kaser is averaging about 50 yards and produced a career-high 69-yard punt this season.-COACHING: C — Being a first-time NFL head coach is a tough gig and head coach Anthony Lynn is learning on the run. What’s encouraging is how he didn’t lose the locker room when the squad started 0-4 and there were whispers whether Lynn was up to the task. But Lynn has provided a steady hand, not panicking when things go wrong or doing cartwheels when plans fall into place. He’s been a tad conservative with his play-calling and time and again elects to punt when at midfield or even just in enemy territory. But he’s also keeping everyone accountable as he declines to give free passes for mistakes. Lynn has had a full plate in coaching a team for the first time, especially one that left its home of 56 years for the crowded L.A. sports landscape. Sure he’s made mistakes. But overall, he’s been decent and that’ll get you a 3-5 mark in your first eight games.OAKLAND RAIDERS-PASSING OFFENSE: C - So much was expected, and very little delivered. Quarterback Derek Carr is completing 65.2 percent of his passes, but has already exceeded his 2016 interception total (he has seven) and has probably only looked like last year’s MVP candidate in two games. Tight end Jared Cook leads the Raiders in receptions (39) and yards (499). Michael Crabtree remains Carr’s go-to guy in the clutch (six touchdown receptions). Amari Cooper has one big game and has been MIA. Lots of drops across the board, with Cooper (10) the main culprit.-RUSHING OFFENSE: D - An anemic 87.6-yard average that ranks 26th in the NFL as the Raiders have struggled to assimilate Marshawn Lynch (323 yards, 3.8 average) to the system. Weeks 1 and 9 were basically it as far as Lynch contributing to a win. The yards per carry are also down for Jalen Richard (4.3) and DeAndre Washington (2.9), the second-year change-of-pace backs. Offensive line hasn’t been the same in terms of pushing other teams back.-PASS DEFENSE: D - Nine games without an interception is unprecedented since the 1970 NFL merger. What little decent play the Raiders have had has come during times when they rally up and make the tackle to get up off the field. David Amerson has been injured and inconsistent, and Sean Smith, who has played better of late, probably would have been cut if rookie Gareon Conley was healthy — which he isn’t. Veteran free safety Reggie Nelson is too often a step late. Not nearly enough from the pass rush, with even Khalil Mack disappearing for stretches, mostly because of double teams.-RUSH DEFENSE: C-plus - It’s pretty much a middle-of-the-pack effort so far. The grade dropped from low-B status the past two weeks, after LeSean McCoy gained 151 yards and Miami’s non-existent running game averaged 4.8 yards per carry. Strangely enough, those games came after the trade for veteran LB NaVorro Bowman, who is already climbing the charts in terms of 2017 tacklers. Nose tackle Justin “Jelly” Ellis has been a bright spot in his fourth season as an anchor and Mack remains one of the NFL’s top run defenders.-SPECIAL TEAMS: B - Punter Marquette King has a 50.3 average, a 45.5 net and has placed 17 punts inside the 20-yard line with only two touchbacks. He is one of the NFL’s best. Giorgio Tavecchio may just keep the job for the rest of the season after nailing a 53-yard attempt before halftime against Miami that ended up being the winning points. Sebastian Janikowski is on injured reserve. Coverage has been decent and Cordarrelle Patterson (30.8 average on kickoff returns) has provided good starting points, but Jalen Richard has gotten nowhere in punt returns (5.4 average with a long of 13 yards).-COACHING: D - The Raiders have already exceeded last year’s loss total through nine games and are another bad game away from being out of the playoff chase. Lots of blame to go around from the top down. The Raiders have come out flat in some games, have looked unprepared in others and offensive coordinator Todd Downing has struggled to put together a system that can get the best out of Carr and incorporate Lynch. Head coach Jack Del Rio says the buck stops with him, and he’s right.
