November 10th 2024.
After the Broncos' heartbreaking 16-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10 at Arrowhead Stadium, there are a few thoughts that come to mind. Let's break it down and see what we can learn from this game.
First off, kudos to Broncos coach Sean Payton for utilizing quarterback Bo Nix's strengths and implementing a no-huddle approach. However, some of the play calls in the second half left us scratching our heads. One particular instance was on a second-and-10 at the Kansas City 43 with just 57 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Payton decided to call a reverse to Marvin Mims Jr., which ultimately went nowhere and resulted in a third-and-long situation. This played right into the hands of Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who sent a blitz that resulted in a 16-yard sack. The Broncos' first four first-down runs in the second half were successful, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. But their next four second-down plays only gained a total of 11 yards. Luckily, Payton switched things up in the final minutes of the game, giving the ball to powerful rookie Audric Estime on a crucial third-and-1 play that resulted in a 6-yard gain and put the Broncos in field goal range. However, as we all know, the game did not end in their favor. Oy vey.
Now, onto Nix's performance. Was it perfect? No. But was it progress? Absolutely. In front of one of the most hostile home crowds in the NFL, Nix showed resilience and composure. A standout moment was on a crucial third-and-6 play with just under two minutes remaining, when Nix evaded the Chiefs' pass rush and connected with Courtland Sutton for a 13-yard gain that helped the Broncos run down the clock. Nix also made a statement in the second quarter with a 33-yard touchdown pass to Sutton, showing that he can connect on deep throws as well. As he continues to develop, his ability to stretch the field will open up opportunities for his teammates. Nix was named AFC Offensive Rookie of the Month, and with more weapons at his disposal, the possibilities are endless.
Let's talk about Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and his dominance over Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Over the past 11 quarters against the Chiefs dating back to last season, Joseph's defense has sacked Mahomes nine times. For comparison, Mahomes had only been sacked eight times in the previous three seasons combined. Joseph's defense averages 3.3 sacks per game against Mahomes, while he typically only gets taken down 1.79 times per game. These numbers speak for themselves and show that Joseph has a solid grasp on how to disrupt Mahomes' game.
And finally, a rare occurrence in the Chiefs' favor - an illegal formation penalty. With 10:48 left in the first quarter, Chiefs' right tackle Jawaan Taylor was flagged for being lined up improperly. This is a rare sight, as Taylor is usually a step or two behind the line of scrimmage to give himself a head start on blocking the pass rush. Luckily for the Broncos, this penalty was called in the red zone and ultimately resulted in a field goal instead of a touchdown. It's moments like these that can make all the difference in a close game.
In the end, the Broncos fell just short of a victory, but there were certainly some positives to take away from this game. Nix showed progress, Joseph's defense kept Mahomes on his toes, and even the Chiefs had a rare mistake with the illegal formation penalty. As the season progresses, let's hope the Broncos can learn from this loss and continue to improve.
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