Broncos grades: Strong all season, Denver’s special teams fails in critical moment in stunning loss to Chiefs

OFFENSE — B+

Bo Nix and the Broncos offense cooked for a while in the first half. When he threw a touchdown to Courtland Sutton for a 14-3 lead, Nix was sitting at 10 of 13 for 127 yards passing and two scores.

But the group went mostly dark after that. They netted just 10 yards and no points in their first three drives of the second half. When it really, counted, though, they mounted a drive and put themselves in position to win. When Nix calmly hit Sutton on third-and-6, it looked like he was about to author his signature moment as a pro so far. Instead, heartbreak.

Long-term, things look better for Nix and the Broncos by the week. That won’t soften the bruise this game leaves.

DEFENSE — B+

This was a heck of a battle from the start. Vance Joseph’s defense gave Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense fits the entire game. They sacked him four times and harassed him consistently. They played stout in the red zone and held the Chiefs to three field goals and one touchdown. Kansas City mustered just 57 rushing yards on the day. Just about all of the Chiefs’ 300 offensive yards were earned. Simply put, this was one of the best outings yet from Joseph and his group. And even that wasn’t enough in the end.

SPECIAL TEAMS — F

The Broncos had this game won. Except for the kick.

The unit has been a strength for Denver all season. It wilted in the biggest moment of the season to date.

Wil Lutz’s 35-yard attempt at a walk-off winner was blocked when Leo Chenal ran over back-up center Alex Forsyth and got into the kicking lane.

Denver had an up-and-down day on special teams before that ill-fated end. Marvin Mims Jr. ripped off a 28-yard punt return. Lutz gave it a go from 60 yards on a field goal attempt before halftime and Denver nearly gave up a big return when it came up short. Tremon Smith downed a punt inside the 10-yard line but Riley Dixon also miss-hit a couple after what had mostly been very consistent work over the first half of the season.

COACHING — A-

Sean Payton had a bunch of wrinkles ready for the Chiefs defense. He used Mims out of the backfield as a running back. He ramped up rookie running back Audric Estime’s workload. Not only that, but his team stood toe-to-toe with Mahomes and the unbeaten Chiefs on the road and never blinked.

The Broncos navigated their final drive beautifully, bled the clock all the way down and didn’t give it back to Mahomes. It still wasn’t enough. After a heck of a Sunday afternoon, Payton’s challenge now is to not let this one become an emotional crusher on the season.

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