What a great win for the Denver Broncos on Sunday. They had to overcome some questionable calls and no calls and some legit ones to take down Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in a 22-19 victory.
Denver really did it in all three phases. They got some outstanding special teams play, big plays on offense, and a suffocating defensive effort that force Mahomes and the Chiefs offense off the field in their final two possession in just six plays for a grand total of negative three yards. We’ve got plenty of guys to shout out in this week’s game balls awards.
Here are Mile High Report’s game balls for the Broncos’ 22-19 victory over the Chiefs!
Ja’Quan McMillian
Ja’Quan McMillian has made some splash plays here and there but is mostly just a steady, reliable defender. He doesn’t let too much get by him but also doesn’t stand out. Not today. Today he made not one, not two, but three splash plays and it couldn’t have been at a better time. When you play Patrick Mahomes, you need game-changing plays. With two sacks and an interception, he was making game-changing plays all over the place. Especially in Pat Surtain’s absence, it’s great to see guys not just doing their jobs but going above and beyond. – Laurie Lattimore-Volkmann
Bo Nix
Bo Nix gets my game ball. Nix had a lot of weight on his shoulders without having J.K. Dobbins to help bolster the team’s rushing attack against the Chiefs. But guess what? He rose the occasion when it mattered most. He had multiple big time throws to various receivers and did a great job keeping poised when things got tough. The second-year signal caller wound up going 24-of-37 for 295 passing yards. Sure, they aren’t any touchdowns, but he was accurate and really hit his stride in the second half. His performance just might be the confidence boost he and the rest of the offense needs to finish the final stretch of the games on a high note. I was really happy with what I saw from the passing attack today. Well done! – Chris Hart
Marvin Mims Jr.
Marvin Mims was a game changer for the Broncos. In a game that felt like riding a roller coaster sitting on a seesaw, Mims had 3 punt return for 101 yards. When field position is a premium, having a dynamic playmaker like Mims is a definite bonus. On his first return, Mims received the Matt Araiza punt at the 9 yard line. A fair catch puts Bo Nix and the offense in a tough spot. Instead he took it 70 yards and set up the offense to put points on the board. The second punt Mims fielded he took 24 yards to the Denver 45. Again, switching the field allowed the offense to kick a field goal. And for good measure, the last points of the game came after Mims shortest return of 7 yards. His returns always lead to points. Give that man a gameball! – Adam Malnati
Vance Joseph
Vance Joseph gets my game ball this week. Andy Reid is the best offensive mind in the NFL and Joseph had his defense dialed in to shut down the Chiefs. He called two corner blitzes at perfect times for big plays. The pass rush kept throwing curve-balls and creating pressure which forced inept throws by Mahomes. This team goes as far as their defense goes and VJ deserves all the credit in the world for this win. – Sadaraine
Courtland Sutton
If not for Mr. Third down, Denver may not win this game. Sutton entered Sunday’s contest against the Chiefs as the No. 1 third-down receiver in the NFL. And he showed why again in the biggest win for the Broncos since Super Bowl 50. Of his four catches for 59 yards, three receptions came on third down to keep drives alive for Nix and the Denver offense. None were bigger than Sutton’s two third-receptions on the game-winning drive. The first came on third-and-15 at the Broncos 21-yard line that picked up 20 yards and the first down. The second came on third-and-5 at the Denver 46 that picked up just enough to get the first down. Mile High Salute to Sutton for the clutch, reliable gene he’s bringing to this offense, and helping his team pick up a monster win. – Ian St. Clair
Troy Franklin
The last guy I would have considered a game ball for heading into the final quarter was Troy Franklin. His critical drops earlier in the game cost the Broncos points and I was beyond frustrated with the constant looks Franklin would get. It seems just when I was on the cusp of being done with the guy, he made the plays necessary to ensure a Broncos win. Aside from the most important catch below, he also setup another score with a long pass from Nix in a previous drive. Franklin absolutely redeemed himself. He certainly has work to do, but in this game he gets my game ball for making the decisive plays to help the offense secure victory. – Tim Lynch
Wil Lutz
BIG. NUTS. LUTZ.
The whole team was clutch today, but one especially was none other than the man who accounted for 15 of Denver’s 22 points. Will Lutz has been a machine this season, and for most of his run with the Broncos. There are few kickers in this league you can rely on when you need them most. – Ross Allen
Justin Strnad
Justin Strnad gets my gameball for the game he had taking over for Alex Singleton who is still recovering from surgery. He had 10 total tackles with 6 solo. While he didn’t fill up the other stat columns, he led a defense which would have held the Chiefs to well below their season scoring average if the refs had called the game evenly. – Joe Mahoney
Adam Prentice
It’s not often a fullback jumps off the broadcast tape multiple times but Prentice popped all afternoon. Some of my favorites: He had a perfect blitz pickup on a big play from Nix to Franklin that was one of the best plays of the game, in my opinion, and he caved in the right side of the line on a nice run in the red zone. – Jeff Essary
Frank Crum
I have to do a second game ball. This blocked extra point by Frank Crum likely won the game in all honesty. If they make that kick, then Sean Payton probably goes for it over kicking a field goal on their next drive. If they failed then it would have been game over. Instead, they kicked the field goal to tie which then setup one last drive for the walk-off win. Crum made it all happen with this play. Have a game ball! – Tim Lynch
