In Focus: Denver Broncos 19, Baltimore Ravens 13

The Denver Broncos opened up their 2015 season by hosting the Baltimore Ravens this past Sunday. They defeated the  Ravens by the score of 19 to 13 to improve to 1-0 on the season. It was a tough hard fought game dominated by the defenses and special teams for both teams.

So with all that said let us take a look at the top performers from the Broncos during their 19 to 13 victory over the Ravens according to Pro Football Focus.

Top performers on offense:

Guard Louis Vasquez +1.3:

Vasquez was the only Broncos offensive player to earn themselves a green rating from PFF. Vasquez had a +1.3 run block rating, a +0.8 pass blocking rating. He was only credited with one quarterback hurry during the game.

Center Matt Paradis +0.1:

Paradis was the Broncos next best-rated offensive lineman with a +0.1 grade from the guys over at PFF. Paradis earned a +1.1 grade in the pass blocking department but had a -1.1 run blocking grade. He wasn't credited with any quarterback hurries, hits, or sacks.

It wasn't an awful first start for the young Paradis against one of the better nose tackles in the game.

Other notable offensive players:

• Tight end Owen Daniels: +0.7
• Receiver Emmanuel Sanders: +0.3
• Running back Ronnie Hillman +0.3

Offensive players who need to improve:

Quarterback Peyton Manning -3.1:

It was a rough showing for the Broncos veteran quarterback. He had a -1.7 passing rating and a -1.4 penalty rating.

According to Pro Football Focus's Jordan Plocher, Manning struggled under pressure. With no pressure, Manning's stat line was 20/31 64.5% 152 yards, 76.3 rating, -2.2 PFF rating.  Under pressure, his line was 4/9 44.4% 23 yards, 12.0 rating, -0.5.

Other notable players who need to improve:

• Guard Evan Mathis: -3.3
• Tackle Ty Sambrailo: -2.6
• Running back C.J. Anderson: -1.5

Top performers on defense:

Denver Broncos outside linebackers Von Miller(+6.5), DeMarcus Ware(+10.9), and Shaq Barrett(+3.6):

DeMarcus Ware had a +10.0 pass rushing grade and was credited with 7 quarterback hurries, 3 quarterback hits, and 1 sack. Von Miller had a +5.1 pass rushing grade and was credited with 4 quarterback hurries, and 2 quarterback hits. Shaq Barrett continued his success  getting a +2.7 pass rushing grade, and 2 quarterback hurries in 14 snaps.

Denver's 4 OLBs combined for 19 total pressures against Baltimore. NINETEEN pic.twitter.com/nj4fupYgrB

— PFF (@PFF) September 14, 2015

Rookie linebacker Shane Ray earned a -0.1 grade, but it appeared at least to me he was doing well too.

These four players will be key to the Broncos success going forward. It's good to see that Barrett is continuing his success from the preseason into the regular season.

Linebacker Brandon Marshall +5.4:

It was a great game for the Broncos starting inside linebacker. He totaled 7 tackles and recorded one sack.

Marshall is a complete linebacker. He eanred positive grades all three fronts. A +1.4 run defense grade, +2.4 pass rush grade, and a +1.5 pass coverage grade.

Defensive linemen Antonio Smith(+2.1), Vance Walker(+2.1), and Malik Jackson(+2.0):

Smith is known for his pass rushing ability, but he graded out positively in run defense(+1.7). Walker did well in pass rushing(+2.0)

It's great to see this unit do well without starter Derek Wolfe in the mix.

Other notable defensive standouts:

• Safety Darian Stewart +3.4
• Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. +2.4
• Cornerback Aqib Talib +3.0
• Cornerback Bradley Roby +1.6