The Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs squared off in a gridiron battle that would determine the AFC West leader. After four quarters of back-and-forth football, the Broncos reigned victorious after an incredible goal line stand to earn them a 28-24 victory. Here are some instant reactions from today’s game.
Broncos’ offense rallies in fourth quarter, Jonah Coleman makes a big impact
Last week against the Arizona Cardinals, the Broncos had a handful of game-changing splash plays on offense. That was a big reason they were able to earn their third victory in a row. It’s
been an up and down year for the Broncos on offense, so finding a way to have a few more big plays was a must to win this afternoon.
With RJ Harvey out, the Broncos relied heavily on J.K. Dobbins and Jonah Coleman. Both struggled on the ground in the first half with Steve Spagnuolo’s defense swarming to the ball. However, Coleman was able to heat up in the second half and was a huge boost for Denver’s offensive attack.
Coleman finished with 104 all-purpose yards. He had 11 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown and added four receptions for 63 yards—including a key 51-yard reception late in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Bo Nix was able to help lead another comeback victory. Nix finished the game going 20-of-32 for 222 yards and 2 passing touchdowns.
It wasn’t pretty for the first three quarters, but the Broncos’ offense made the right adjustments and came up clutch when it mattered most. I’m pleased with the way they finished and am really optimistic to see what they can do moving forward. There is no doubt Coleman deserves a big role in the second half of the season.
Broncos’ defense had issues, but the goal line stand made up for it
After what transpired in Week 1, finding a way to shut down running back Kenneth Walker was an absolute must. For the most part, Denver’s defense did just that. They halted Walker to 26 rushing yards on seven carries in the first half . He would finish the game with just 69 rushing yards total.
However, rookie running back Emmett Johnson was sensational for the Chiefs in the first half. He had multiple big plays and notched 119 receiving yards on 3 catches in the first half—including a 73-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown in the second quarter. The rookie also made an impact for them on special teams. Denver didn’t have an answer for his speed when he was on the field.
Moreover, the missed tackles continued to be an issue for the Broncos’ defense in this matchup. The Broncos weren’t tested deep, but Patrick Mahomes was able to find success in the short game and over the middle of the field most of the evening.
Nevertheless, they rose to the occasion and were able to stop the Chiefs on an epic goal line stand to win the game. It certainly wasn’t a great performance overall, but Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph and the players executed when they need it the most. They have a lot to clean up before next week’s matchup, but I’m thrilled with how they came up clutch at the end of the game.
The Broncos are now the top team in the AFC West
Had the Broncos lost this game, they would have been in a multi-game hole in the AFC West and lost important ground in the playoff race. Now? They’re at the top of the division and will ride a four-game winning streak into their Week 9 battle against the Carolina Panthers.
If Denver is able to take care of business next weekend, they will be 7-2 going into their bye week. I certainly didn’t think that was possible given their slate of opponents to start the season. It’s great to see the team respond and come away with a huge victory. On a side note, congratulations to Head Coach Sean Payton on his 200th victory as a Head Coach—quite the accomplishment and a great game to earn it in.
