The Denver Broncos gave all they had and nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2024 NFL season, but came up just short against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. A blocked field goal doomed the team on the final play of a 16-14 loss.
We take a look at the studs and duds of the heartbreaking loss.
Stud: QB Bo Nix
Nix came into the game not having played his best game against the Baltimore Ravens, but Sunday, Nix did his part to win this game. Nix went 22-of-30 for 215 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions. Nix led the final Broncos drive (13 plays, 43 yards) to the Kansas City 17-yard line, where Denver lined up for the final kick.
Dud: RB Javonte Williams
Williams only had one rush for one yard in the Denver loss along with two catches for six yards, as coach Sean Payton decided to lead with the rookie, Audric Estime, who had the bulk of the carries against Kansas City. This week will be telling to see if Williams remains in the dog house or if the Broncos have decided to go forward with Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin leading the way.
Stud: RB Audric Estime
Estime, who has had a fumbling problem early in the season, got the bulk of the rushing attack against the Kansas City Chiefs. Estime rushed for 53 yards on 14 carries, good for 3.8 yards per carry. Estime held onto the ball and he could be the lead back going forward.
Stud: Red zone defense
The Broncos’ red zone defense buckled down against the Chiefs and only allowed one touchdown to the reigning champs. KC made four trips inside the Denver 20, kicking three field goals and the lone touchdown. The Chiefs’ red-zone woes were a massive credit to Vance Joseph’s defense. Joseph’s unit put Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on the ground several times during the game, sacking him four times for 23 yards.
Stud: WR Marvin Mims
Mims might have finally found his groove in Payton’s offense. Mims was used at running back at several points in Sunday’s game, to some success. Mims rushed three times for 17 yards, caught four passes for 13 yards, and had a game-high 28-yard punt return. To see Mims getting this kind of usage is a positive sign that he’s found his spot in the offense.
Dud: OL Alex Forsyth
With the game on the line, Alex Forsyth was driven back on the team’s last-second field goal attempt, allowing the Chiefs to block the kick and secure a victory. “I have to be stouter,” Forsyth said after the game. It should be noted that while Forsyth is among our duds of the game, there’s no excuse for harassing players on social media.
Dud: K Wil Lutz
The game came down to special teams, where the Broncos came up short. At the end of the first half, the Broncos tried a 60-yard field goal that came up a few yards short. The Broncos could have absolutely used those three points at the end of the game. On the game’s final play, the Broncos’ special teams unit fell apart, and Lutz’s 35-yard attempt was blocked at the gun.
The Broncos gave everything they had and never gave up. Their final drive was nearly enough to put the Broncos over the edge. Know this, Kansas City: We’ll be ready for you in Week 18.
