Denver, CO

State of the Broncos at the Quarter Pole

Published

3 months ago

September 30, 2024

State of the Broncos at the Quarter Pole

After starting the season 0-2, the Denver Broncos found a way to get back-to-back victories on the road. Against the New York Jets, it wasn’t pretty and it could have gone the other way, but the Broncos still came out with the win.

An 0-2 start would give plenty of teams reason to panic, but the Broncos are now .500 for the season and have faced three quality defenses (Tampa Bay was without several starters and isn’t among the top units). Things could get interesting as the Broncos face some teams who aren’t as strong defensively, though they will face some quality offenses.

What do we know about the Broncos after the first four games? Let’s look at each of the four aspects of this team and how they’ve measured up thus far.

Against the Jets, the Broncos offense was terrible in the first half. Bo Nix’s passes were off, likely because of the rain, and the running game wasn’t there. But the Broncos played in the second half, running the ball well, and Nix had more zip to his passes.

Again, the Broncos have faced three quality defenses in the first four weeks. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks, in particular, rank among the top defenses in the NFL. The Broncos won’t face a unit as strong as those two for at least a few weeks.

But the potential is there for the Broncos to be a solid offense, even a good offense. Nix is doing better with his decision making, the offensive line is doing well even with Mike McGlinchey’s absence and, while the Broncos lack an elite playmaker, they have the players who can get the job done.

It will be interesting to see how the Broncos do against the Las Vegas Raiders, who do not have a good defense. The Broncos need to have a good showing on offense, but if they do that in the Week 5 matchup at Mile High, there will be room for more optimism with the unit.

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Going into the season, there were plenty of concerns about how good the Broncos defense would be. Some wondered if this unit would be the downfall of the team.

After four weeks, it’s clear this defense can get the job done and then some. For the first four weeks, the defense has been the main reason the Broncos have stayed in games and, the past two weeks, they’ve held two quality offenses to just 16 points.

Consider Baker Mayfield, who has been playing well this season, but got just one touchdown pass agains the Broncos. Or Aaron Rodgers, who threw five touchdowns in the first three weeks but didn’t get a single scoring pass against the Broncos.

Despite not having a lot of elite playmakers other than Patrick Surtain II and perhaps Zach Allen, the Broncos defense is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. The Week 6 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, who are doing well on offense despite injuries, will likely test the Broncos defense, but if they come up big, then this unit could find itself among the best in the NFL.

It wasn’t that long ago that the Broncos struggled on special teams. Sure, they had a reliable kicker but they lacked a quality punter and had a coverage unit that was mediocre at best, but often bad.

That’s changed in the past two seasons. The Broncos punt coverage unit has been great, not allowing opponents to get much in the return game. And several times, the punt coverage unit has pinned opponents inside the 5-yard line, making it tough on opposing offenses.

Wil Lutz did miss a 50-yard field goal near the end of the Jets game but he’s been a steady performer otherwise. Riley Dixon did shank one punt against the Jets but he’s been consistent when it comes to his punts.

The Broncos are also getting quality work from Marvin Mims Jr., who has done a good job with fielding punts and knowing when to attempt a return and when to call for a fair catch. While Mims has yet to return a punt for a touchdown, he’s still getting the results you want to see.

Sean Payton hasn’t necessarily done the best job with play-calling, but give him credit for this: He’s not allowing the players to let mistakes get the best of them. The players continue to get after it, no matter the situation, and that’s what you want to see.

And what more can be said about Vance Joseph? He has silenced his critics by getting the most out of the defense.

The Broncos may not have an elite pass rusher, but they have 15 sacks in four games. The secondary, thought to be a weakness going into the season, is doing a good job, and when players have exited the lineup with injuries, others have stepped up.

Let’s not forget the job done by special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica. Since he has come to the Broncos, he has worked wonders with a unit that was among the worst in the NFL. After an abysmal 2022 season, the special teams showed improvement last year and, this year, ranks among the NFL’s best.

There’s always room for improvement, of course, but the coaching staff has these players believing they can win games. That can do a lot for a team that may lack experience in some areas, but has shown it has the talent to come through.

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Denver, CO

Biggest Winners & Losers from Broncos’ 38-0 Blowout of Chiefs

Published

6 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

Biggest Winners & Losers from Broncos’ 38-0 Blowout of Chiefs

The Denver Broncos are heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2015, and they made it happen emphatically with a 38-0 dismantling of the Kansas City Chiefs. Facing a depleted Chiefs squad, the Broncos showed no mercy, dominating both sides of the ball and solidifying their place in the postseason.

This victory showcased the Broncos’ growth, resilience, and readiness for playoff football. Who were Denver’s biggest winners and losers from this playoff-clinching victory?

Let’s dive in.

Bo Nix | QB

Nix was flawless, completing 26-of-29 passes for 321 yards and four touchdowns while adding 47 yards on the ground. His command of the offense was masterful, resulting in a 152.4 passer rating. Nix’s ability to stretch the field and keep the chains moving was the driving force behind Denver’s offensive explosion.

Marvin Mims Jr. | WR

Mims continues to ascend, catching all five targets for 51 yards and two touchdowns. He displayed excellent footwork on his second touchdown, leaving defenders grasping at air in the corner of the end zone.

Courtland Sutton | WR

Sutton was a reliable target again, recording 98 yards and a 47-yard touchdown on five catches. His chemistry with Nix has made him the team’s go-to option in critical situations.

Devaughn Vele | WR

Vele had a highlight-reel moment, hauling in a double-tipped pass for a three-yard touchdown. His four catches for 50 yards showcased his ability to make clutch plays when called upon.

O-Line (Pass Protection)

The offensive line was a fortress, allowing no sacks and giving Nix ample time to pick apart the Chiefs’ secondary. The unit’s dominance upfront also created rushing lanes for Nix to scramble effectively.

Nick Bonitto | OLB

Bonitto continued his breakout season with two sacks, three tackles, and multiple pressures. His speed and relentless pursuit were too much for Kansas City’s offensive line to handle.

D-Line

The Broncos’ defensive line feasted on Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz, sacking him five times and limiting him to 98 passing yards. Their ability to collapse the pocket and clog running lanes completely stifled Kansas City’s offense.

Sean Payton | HC

Payton called a near-perfect game, blending aggressive play-calling with methodical clock management. His preparation and focus on execution were evident as the Broncos dominated every phase of the game.

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O-Line (Run Game)

While the Broncos’ offensive line excelled in pass protection, its run blocking left much to be desired. Denver’s running backs combined for just 104 yards on 34 carries, averaging a meager 2.9 yards per attempt.

The Broncos’ playoff drought is over, and they’re entering the postseason with momentum and confidence. Nix’s development has been extraordinary, and the offensive balance created by Payton’s system gives Denver a dangerous edge.

Defensively, the Broncos look like they have gotten back to center and are ready to take on any challenge, as their pass rush and secondary are firing on all cylinders. However, the run game remains a concern. Denver’s inability to establish consistent rushing lanes could become an issue against more balanced defenses in the playoffs.

Next up for the Broncos: a wildcard clash against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park. While the challenge is daunting, this team has shown the grit and growth necessary for a sliver of hope for a deep playoff run.

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Denver, CO

Broncos-Chiefs inactives for Week 18

Published

13 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

The Denver Broncos are being gifted a berth into the AFC playoffs by the Kansas City Chiefs today. As you can see from the below inactives list, they will be resting all of their best players and likely will limit the snap counts of those that remain active for this game.

There is literally no excuse for Sean Payton in this game. The Broncos should win by double-digits, but I don’t care how they win as long as they win. It has been a long nine year wait for Broncos Country.

Here are your gameday inactives for the Broncos-Chiefs game in Week 18.

Broncos inactives

Player	Position
Player	Position
Zach Wilson	QB
Blake Watson	RB
Levelle Bailey	ILB
Frank Crum	OT
Matt Henningsen	DL
Eyioma Uwazurike	DL

Chiefs inactives

Player	Position
Player	Position
Patrick Mahomes	QB
Isiah Pacheco	RB
Chris Jones	DT
Travis Kelce	TE
Jawaan Taylor	OT
George Kaarlaftis	DE
Trent McDuffie	CB

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Denver, CO

How to watch the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos – NFL: Week 18 | Channel, stream, preview, prediction

Published

21 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

How to watch the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos – NFL: Week 18 | Channel, stream, preview, prediction

DENVER — An AFC West rivalry clash to end the 2024 NFL regular season has a lot riding on it for at least one team, as the Denver Broncos fight for their playoff lives when they host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Watch the NFL on FuboTV (7-day free trial) and Paramount+

Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) vs. Denver Broncos (9-7)

When: Sunday, January 5
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Where: Empower Field at Mile High (Denver, Colo.)
Channel: CBS
Stream: FuboTV (Free Trial), DirecTV Stream, Sling, Paramount+

The Broncos have battled hard this season. With a rookie quarterback and a stout defense, the team has played good enough to keep them in postseason contention. They have had opportunities to clinch their fist playoff spot in nine years. However, losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals put them in a bind heading into the final week of the season.

The task heading into the game is rather simple on paper: do not lose to the Chiefs. A win or a tie puts Denver into the postseason for the first time since 2015, the year they last won the Super Bowl. If they lose, they will need the Miami Dolphins to lose.

It might not be that hard, as Kansas City is resting some of its top stars, such as Patrick Mahomes. That’s because the team has already locked up the first seed in the AFC, getting a bye of the Wild Card round. The team has certainly been an interesting team, as their numerous one-score wins lead many to wonder if this team has the ability to make a run to a third Super Bowl in a row.

The first time these two teams met, the Broncos fell short thanks to a blocked field goal. The Chiefs have won 17 of the last 18 meetings with Denver, with KC holding a 73-56 record against their rivals.

MY PICK: Broncos win, 24-21