Your AFC West-leading Denver Broncos did it again. They trailed the Chiefs 24-13 at one point late in the game but would go on to have another thrilling fourth-quarter comeback and score 15 unanswered points to take the lead. Mahomes and the Chiefs attempted to lead a game-winning comeback and got very close, but the Broncos’ defense tightened, and Malcolm Roach had a game-ending/winning sack.
It was a wild roller coaster of a game against a hated divisional rival, but the Broncos worked their Mile
High Magic once again.
As for winners and losers, it was a tale of two games (when isn’t it?) with the Broncos. The offense kinda sucked at times, and the defense could not stop Mahomes or rookie Emmett Johnson. Yet, in the end, the Broncos made enough plays to win.
My blood pressure and heart rate still haven’t returned to normal.
WINNER – QB Bo Nix
Was it perfect? No. He had some good plays, stretches of bad plays, some passes batted at the line, a few misthrows, but at the end of the day, he came up big in the end. He led the offense to 15 unanswered points, converted a two-pointer, and had yet another 4th quarter comeback and added another victory against Mahomes and the Chiefs.
He finished the game going 20 of 32 for 222 yards and 2 touchdowns.
At the end of the day, Nix went head-to-head with Patrick Mahomes and once again came out on top. Led his team to yet another 4th quarter comeback, and now the Broncos are 6-2 and at the top of the AFC West.
Has it been pretty? No. Has it been perfect? No, but here we are again. Despite all the doubters, the Broncos and Nix are simply winners, and they proved that once again tonight.
WINNER – RB Jonah Coleman
While trade rumors continue to swirl, Jonah Coleman announced himself in a big way on the national stage. All eyes were on the Broncos-Chiefs game, and Coleman came up clutch late in the game to give the Broncos the lead and eventually, the win.
He finished the game with 11 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 4 catches for 63 yards, which included the game-changing 51-yard reception late in the game. That’s 15 touches for 104 yards and a touchdown for the Broncos rookie running back.
The Broncos are among the teams in the Jonathan Taylor sweepstakes and could be tempted to go all in after this big win. If they do, Coleman will be a very good 1B to Taylor or whoever, but if not, Coleman proved he can be the guy in the biggest game and come up big in the biggest moment.
WINNER – DL Malcolm Roach
The big man called game.
Roach has been excellent for the Broncos this season and came up big on the final play of the game. This will be one of those plays you look back on once the season is over as one of the Broncos’ biggest moments of the season.
This sack gave the Broncos the lead of the AFC West. A loss would have been devastating and likely ended all hope of winning the AFC West.
Big-time play.
WINNER – S JL Skinner
His contributions might be overlooked, but he stuffed Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker on 3rd down. Walker, the back who they couldn’t tackle at all in Week 1 and the back who was making defenders miss once again in this game.
This stop brought up 4th down and the rest was history.
On top of that, Skinner came in late after Brandon Jones left the game with a hamstring injury. The Broncos were down both starting safeties, and Skinner, who is primarily a special teams player, made one of the biggest run stops of the season.
Big play in a big moment.
WINNER – Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle
The stat lines will not wow you, but both of the Broncos’ wide receivers made impact plays in this game. Sutton had 4 catches for 53 yards, which included a circus catch off a deflected pass, while Waddle had 3 receptions for 39 yards, 1 touchdown, and a 2-point conversion.
Again, neither player had a big WOW game, but they both left their mark on the game, and Waddle scored a touchdown and had a clutch 2-point play.
WINNER – LB Alex Singleton
Does Singleton have issues with coverage? Sure, but we cannot deny how good he has been playing lately. He has been excellent in the run game, making big hits each and every game and hasn’t been missing many tackles.
Like Skinner’s big play, Singleton’s big play is likely lost in the shuffle, but he had a big impact on the outcome. He sacked Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes late in the 4th quarter and put the Chiefs in 50+ yard field goal range.
Well, Harrison Butker, a not-so-good person, was put in a big spot to extend the Chiefs’ lead. Well, he continued his struggles and shanked the kick and put the Broncos in GREAT field position to attempt a comeback. Jonah Coleman would go on to score the go-ahead touchdown, and none of this would have been possible without Alex Singleton.
He is also my star IDP player in fantasy football. His 14 tackles extend his league-leading tackle numbers (not an important stat, but he’s on pace for 200+, so that’s kinda cool).
WINNER – AFC WEST LEADERS
With this win, the Broncos are now at the top of the AFC West and are currently the number 2 seed in the AFC.
More notable Winners and Losers
- LOSER – RB JK Dobbins: It’s over. Dobbins had 7 carries for 13 yards and saw Jonah Coleman take 90% of the snaps in the second half. Rumors are swirling about an addition at running back, and if that does happen, Dobbins days in Denver could be numbered.
- LOSER – Broncos coverage of Emmett Johnson – If they did not win this game, the plays they allowed to Emmett Johnson would be the talk of the game. They could not tackle him, and he had multiple chunk plays.
- LOSER – Offensive struggles: They went cold for a period of time and had 3 or 4 straight three-and-outs. Nix and the offense went nuts in the 4th quarter; still, the inconsistencies and poor play are there.
- LOSER – Deflected passes: I lost count, but at least 4 of Nix’s passes were deflected at the line. Can’t have that.
- LOSER – Special teams: They nearly gave the game away when they allowed a long kick return on the final drive, where the Chiefs started at midfield
- WINNER – TE Nate Adkins: Caught yet another touchdown!
- WINNER – Run defense vs. Kenneth Walker: Walker embarrassed the Broncos in Week 1, but they held the talented back to 21 carries for 69 yards and a yard per carry of 3.3. Big time improvement!
