TE · Los Angeles Rams vs Denver Broncos · 77 graded snaps
Replacement
Higbee proved dependable as a short-to-intermediate receiver and red-zone weapon, but fourth-quarter run-blocking breakdowns held his grade to high replacement level.
Higbee earned a 71 receiving facet grade by consistently moving the chains, highlighted by an uncovered 5-yard leak-out touchdown reception (Q1 05:00) and crisp two-minute drill out routes (Q2 00:51, Q2 00:20). His run blocking showed early perimeter edge success for Kyren Williams (Q1 01:19, Q3 07:01), but faltered late when he missed key assignments on outside zone runs (Q4 10:06, Q4 06:24). An early shed block surrendered on kickoff return coverage (Q1 15:00) also dinged his special teams mark, keeping his overall score at 68.6.
Strengths
Zone coverage awareness
Chain-moving sideline receptions
Initial perimeter edge sealing
Weaknesses
Second-level lead blocking
Kickoff return sustained blocks
Plays that moved the grade
+1.5Q1 05:00, 2nd & 5Motioned into the flat off play action to haul in an uncontested 5-yard touchdown catch.
+1Q1 07:07, 1st & 10Settled into soft zone coverage and powered through contact for a 13-yard first-down pickup.
-0.5Q4 10:06, 2nd & 5Failed to anchor or redirect safety Talanoa Hufanga as a lead blocker, leading to a stop for no gain.
Every graded snap · 14 wins or losses, 63 routine
-0.5Q1 15:00 · Special teamsEngages Tillman near the line of scrimmage but loses control as Tillman sheds to make the tackle.
+1Q1 07:07 · 1 & 10 · ReceivingFinds the void in zone coverage, makes the clean reception, and powers forward for 13 yards to convert the first down.
+1.5Q1 05:00 · 2 & 5 · ReceivingMotions across the formation before the snap, slips into the right flat completely uncovered off the play-action fake, and secures the catch at the 2-yard line before crossing the goal line for a touchdown.
+0.5Q1 01:19 · 1 & 10 · Run blockEngages Nik Bonitto on the perimeter to set the edge on the initial zone path.
+0.5Q2 01:07 · 1 & 10 · Run blockEngages on the second level out wide to keep the edge clean.
+1Q2 00:51 · 2 & 3 · ReceivingSecured the pass near the sideline, turned upfield for extra yardage to gain 10 yards, and stepped out of bounds cleanly to stop the clock.
+1Q2 00:20 · 2 & 10 · ReceivingCreates separation on his route break, makes a clean hands catch away from his frame, and turns upfield for a 10-yard first down.
+0.5Q3 07:01 · 2 & 1 · Run blockEngages Nik Bonitto on the edge, working hard to seal the perimeter and giving Williams room to turn the corner.
+0.5Q3 01:32 · 2 & 4 · Pass blockDelivers a solid down block inside on the edge defender to secure the front side of the pocket for the bootleg.
+1Q3 01:26 · 3 & 4 · ReceivingRuns a shallow crosser from detached alignment, catches the ball in stride past the first-down marker, and secures the catch through contact.
+0.5Q4 10:44 · 1 & 10 · Run blockWidens the boundary edge effectively, walling off secondary support long enough for Williams to gain the corner.
-0.5Q4 10:06 · 2 & 5 · Run blockMotions across into the backfield to lead the outside run but fails to anchor or redirect safety Hufanga as he crashes downhill.
-0.5Q4 06:24 · 1 & 10 · Run blockFails to pin down or climb to Singleton, allowing the linebacker a clean path into the ball carrier.
+1Q4 00:26 · 1 & 10 · ReceivingBreaks crisply toward the sideline, cleanly secures the low catch, and gets out of bounds to stop the clock for a 14-yard gain.