# Chiefs Blitz Exposed Broncos' Weakness

> Broncos' offensive line failed under Chiefs' blitz pressure, costing them a 31-10 win.
- Title: Chiefs Blitz Exposed Broncos' Weakness · Denver Broncos On SI
- Summary: Broncos' offensive line failed under Chiefs' blitz pressure, costing them a 31-10 win. Broncos' offensive line allowed 45.5% pressure rate from Chiefs'…
- Keywords: denver broncos, kansas city chiefs, steve spagnuolo, bo nix, nfl, offensive line, blitz pressure, next gen stats, arrowhead stadium, sports, Chiefs, Blitz
- Source: Denver Broncos On SI — https://si.com/nfl/broncos/onsi/film-room-chiefs-blitz-exposed-a-problem-broncos-must-fix-fast
- Published: 2026-09-16T16:49:03+00:00
- Read time: 3 min
- Topics: denver broncos, kansas city chiefs, steve spagnuolo, bo nix, nfl, offensive line, blitz pressure, next gen stats, arrowhead stadium, sports
## 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.

> pic.twitter.com/Q9w9XehRHJ
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Broncos' offensive line allowed 45.5% pressure rate from Chiefs' blitzes, leading to a 31-10 loss.