Three observations from the Broncos loss to the Chiefs in Week 13

The Denver Broncos were embarrassed on prime-time TV by the Kansas City Chiefs. The final score is not a sign of how truly far apart these two teams were on the field. The Chiefs won 22-9 over the Broncos, but it could have been a much larger deficit.

The Broncos defense did a good job, and they got after Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes often on Sunday night. Rookie running back Javonte Williams had more than 170 all-purpose yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs, and he became the first rookie running back in Broncos history with more than 100 yards rushing and 75 yards receiving in a single game.

Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater wet the bed. He was terrible against the Chiefs, and Bridgewater’s play was a large cause for the downfall of the Broncos in this huge game. Bridgewater, generally safe with the ball, threw two key interceptions and could not get the team in the end zone until a garbage time touchdown pass to Williams in the fourth quarter.

After the game, Broncos head coach Vic Fangio talked about the squandered opportunity in Week 13.

“We have to be able to score more points, no matter who you are playing, especially the Chiefs at home. The three turnovers and we were only able to get one. It is going to be hard to do that. I thought we did a lot of good things, offensively. That drive at the end of the first half was really good. We just didn’t finish it and get the last two yards to keep the drive going on third-and-two and fourth-and-two. You are not going to beat many teams, especially the Chiefs scoring nine points and turning it over three times,” Fangio said.

Here are the top-three observations from the Broncos v Chiefs game.

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Chippy Early… and Late

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was pushing and shouting at Broncos defenders early on their first drive. Things were getting chippy early in this contest, so much so I thought we might see a personal foul penalty – on either side.
Guys like Bradley Chubb and Kareem Jackson were getting into the mix with Kelce, and he was shoving his way out of Broncos scrums around him after plays. These teams know each other well, and with the AFC West lead on the line the game was heated from the jump. It was good to see that energy early from the Broncos defense, and they certainly did what they could to stop the Chiefs.

The game got out of hand in the third quarter, mainly because Bridgewater was so bad. However, things remained chippy with some pushing and shoving late in the game when the Chiefs had an insurmountable lead.

After the game, the question about the emotion wasn’t really asked. Instead, guys like Patrick Surtain talked about the team’s mood and intent going forward.

“We obviously know that there’s opportunities out there. There’s a lot of season left. We’re going to see them again later down in the road. There’s a lot of season left and a lot of games to be played. We’re going to keep on playing and keep on fighting and do what we got to do. Correct things in the film room, like we always do and just bounce back,” Surtain said.

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Gutsy Calls… Then, Not So Much

The Broncos are not afraid of going for it on fourth down. In the second quarter, the Broncos went for it on fourth down twice and moved the chains both times. One was a fourth-and-one where a quarterback sneak got the first down. The next fourth down was a fourth-and-seven where a pass to Courtland Sutton was enough to get it done.

On a 20-play drive that started at their own 3-yard line, their luck on fourth down ran out near pay dirt. A fourth-and-two was not picked up by running back Javonte Williams who was stuffed at the line of scrimmage. It seemed like before that play there was some confusion on offense. Williams barely moved into the right position before the snap, received the handoff and didn’t go anywhere.

After a turnover in the third quarter, an interception by Patrick Surtain, the Broncos decided not to go for it on a fourth-and-three. It’s clear after missing the fourth-down conversion before halftime, the Broncos were a bit gun-shy.

Overall, the Broncos finished 3-of-6 on fourth down. It’s a shame they had to go for it on so many fourth downs, but that’s the position they put themselves in with poor play-calling and poor performance by some on the first three downs.

Fangio was asked about the apparent confusion on the fourth-and-two play.

“There was a little confusion. By the time that we knew there was confusion, we didn’t think there was, but obviously there was. It was too late to call a timeout,” Fangio said.

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Special Teams Not So Special… Again

It seems like on a weekly basis the Broncos special team unit is struggling to make a positive impact. On Sunday night, their poor play came through again.

Near the end of the third quarter, the Broncos were returning a punt that was deemed a fumble as Caden Sterns ran into return man Diontae Spencer. The Broncos aren’t good enough to overcome plays like that, especially against a high-powered team like the Chiefs.

Special teams coordinator Tom McMahon should feel lucky to have his job with the Broncos. He could have been replaced by the Broncos after his first season of coaching with the team, but the Broncos kept him around in 2021. After 12 games this season it has become clear – again – that McMahon just isn’t the right man for the job. Outside of one game, last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos specials teams is not so special.
Fangio was a bit flippant when asked about yet another special teams gaffe.

“It is surprising that that does not happen more often. If he was aware that we called fair catch, he could stop doing his block and peel off. It is a tough situation,” Fangio said.

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