Broncos Get Humiliated

Denver Broncos got their butts whooped by Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football to start the season.

Media Talks Elephant in Room

Everybody across the media landscape is talking about the elephant in the room.

Defense Missed Tackles

Denver’s lauded defense missed a whopping 28 total tackles, including eight players who missed multiple tackles, and allowed 247 yards after contact on Monday night en route to a 31-10 shellacking at Arrowhead Stadium.

Missed-Tackle Rate

The Broncos' 29.8% missed-tackle rate was even higher than in the game where they gave up 70 points to the Miami Dolphins in 2023.

Offensive Line Pressure

The Broncos’ offensive line allowed a stunning 45.5% pressure rate from the Chiefs, according to NFL Pro.

Spagnuolo's Blitz Rate

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo called one heck of a football game, including a 30.3% blitz rate, and nearly every punch he threw turned into a haymaker.

Bo Nix Scrambling

Bo Nix was scrambling for his life all night, even when Kansas City only rushed four defenders.

Blitz Play Analysis

On the six blitz plays that generated a pressure, Nix went 0-for-5 with a sack. What I found was execution errors by several players not on the offensive line.

Play 1: First Play

First play of the game. I'm not sure why Nate Adkins didn't kick all the way outside to block Williams here. He should attack the widest threat on a kickout block.

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Play 1: Formation

The Broncos came out in a three-by-one condensed set with Courtland Sutton the lone receiver to the right and tight end Adam Trautman aligned as an attached wing to the left.

Play 1: Adkins' Error

Rather than getting outside, Adkins pinches down to help right tackle Mike McGlinchey in a one-on-one battle with Felix Anudike-Uzomah. He misses the blitzer, allowing cornerback Nohl Williams to run free off the edge to notch a sack to open the game.

Play 2: Second Quarter

Our next play comes on 3rd-and-5 as time is winding down in the first half. Denver had just given up a frustrating touchdown to Rashee Rice and desperately needed points before halftime.

Play 2: Pressure Play

Spagnuolo sends safety Alohi Gilman and linebacker Nick Bolton on a pressure designed to get Gilman through the B-gap as Bolton occupies right guard Quinn Meinerz and center Luke Wattenberg in the A-gap.

Play 2: Nix's Mistake

If Nix stands tall, shifts to his right, steps up, and moves through his progression, he has a wide-open Pat Bryant on a post route. That play would likely have gone for a touchdown.

Play 3: Third Quarter

At this point, Kansas City is up 14 points, and the game is starting to get out of hand. This is one play before Nix would get strip-sacked by Anudike-Uzomah.

Play 3: Dobbins' Whiff

This is a simple whiff from Dobbins, who is the best pass-protecting running back on the roster. It’s inexcusable. Point blank, period.

Play 4: Fourth Quarter

Harvey has to get better in pass protection. There’s no other way around it.