As far as losses go, it doesn’t get much worse than the one the Denver Broncos just experienced.
The Broncos thoroughly outplayed the Kansas City Chiefs throughout the contest. They put together a complete game where the offense, defense, and special teams made big plays and Bo Nix delivered another good performance.
Or so we thought.
As the Broncos attempted a game-winning field goal, the Chiefs tore through the left side of Denver’s line, and blocked the kick off of Will Lutz’s foot, leaving the Broncos with a devastating 14-16 loss.
The Denver Broncos now head back to Mile High with a 5-5 record, but the loss did teach us a lot about these Broncos.
The Denver Broncos defense bounces back in a big way
Following the beatdown the Baltimore Ravens put on Vance Joseph’s unit, many wondered whether the team’s defense was simply a product of their schedule and not as good as it had first appeared to be. It was important to see how they responded to another test against an opponent that, while struggling on offense, still features Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Andy Reid.
Denver passed the test with flying colors.
Although the Chiefs were able to move the ball, the Broncos defense made opportunistic plays seemingly whenever they needed to keep Mahomes and Co. out of the endzone. Big sacks and third-down stops in the red zone prevented what could have been a much higher output from Kansas City’s attack.
The area where the unit impressed the most was along the defensive front.
Vance discombobulates the Chiefs offensive line with this stunt on 3rd down. pic.twitter.com/xw6KvP9Zml
— Frankie Abbott (@FrankiesFilm) November 11, 2024
While the Chiefs lack pass-catching options, even with the acquisition of Deandre Hopkins, the team still features one of the best offensive lines in the NFL and that presented a big test for this Broncos front.
Denver’s pass rush answered this test to the tune of four sacks on Patrick Mahomes, while also putting the superstar QB under constant duress and holding leading rusher Kareem Hunt to a measly 35 yards on 14 carries.
While it wasn’t enough for a win, it was nice to see the unit answer resoundingly after last week’s matchup raised major questions.
Bo Nix continues to impress
After last week’s game, where Bo Nix played a great first half and an equally awful second half, it was imperative to see Nix put together a complete game if the Broncos were to escape Arrowhead with a victory.
Nix did this and then some, as the rookie continues to flash and seems to improve week by week.
The rookie signal-caller opened the game on fire, leading two touchdown drives in the first half including a number of key throws that we haven’t always seen him hit this season.
No play is this more true for than Nix’s second touchdown toss to Courtland Sutton. On 3rd and 1, Nix bypassed a shorter throw to get the first down to air it out deep to Sutton, and it was a perfect pass that resulted in six points.
Throughout the season, whether it be drops, missed throws, or something else, Denver has not been able to hit on that type of pass. To see them do it against one of the better defensive teams in football was a bright spot in the loss and hopefully a sign of things to come.
While they had their fair share of struggles moving the ball in the second half, the Broncos had a chance to win the game with six minutes left and down by two points with the ball.
The result? Nix led a perfect six-minute drive that milked all of the clock, against an elite defense, and should have resulted in a win.
Too often have we seen teams leave Mahomes time on the clock and he makes them pay. Against the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs, Mahomes showed even 14 seconds is too much time for him.
The Broncos and Nix executed the drive perfectly and it should have been enough to seal the game for Denver.
One of the most impressive plays of Nix’s young career occurred on that crucial drive.
BO NIX LEGACY DRIVEpic.twitter.com/cxUQnD1ziL
— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) November 10, 2024
It’s 3rd and 6, and if you get it you have the chance to end the game with no time remaining, and if you don’t you give Mahomes around 90 seconds to get a field goal.
A swing play no doubt. It felt like the outcome of this game hung in the balance of the next five seconds, and that would’ve rung true if not for a wildly unfortunate final play in regulation.
Nix dropped back, stepped up in the pocket, and delivered a dime to Courtland Sutton on the move for a first down. The throw should have iced the game and should have made Nix only the second time a rookie quarterback that had beaten Patrick Mahomes since 2019.
We all know what happened next. It sucks, but it’s okay.
The growth and progress we’ve seen from Nix in only ten games is the type of staff that can get you very, very excited for the future in Broncos Country.
