Denver Bronco snaps and analysis for game 10, Broncos at Chiefs

Who played, who didn’t, and how much?

The Broncos lost a heartbreaker in a manner that has not happened this century (having a short FG that would have won the game blocked as time expired).

The players who were inactive for the game were:

Zach Wilson, Kris Abrams-Draine, Keidron Smith, Frank Crum, Calvin Throckmorton, Greg Dulcich, Eyioma Uwazurike

Two players were active that did not play in the game, Jarett Stidham and Zach Cunningham. Cunningham was signed to the practice squad in late September. The veteran inside linebacker was originally a second round pick of the Texans in 2017. He was a starter for the Eagles last season.

Offense

The entire starting offensive line along with the QB played every snap on offense. Matt Peart played 4 snaps as the 6th offensive lineman. Peart also played on 3 of the 4 place kicks on special teams. I would guess he was replaced with a defensive player on the 60-yard attempt to stop a TD return if the kick was short (which it was). Alex Forsyth played on all 4 place kick snaps, but I would guess that he will be replaced in the next game with someone who will not end up on their ass on every kick.

Someone like Frank Crum would avoid being steamrolled like Forsyth. Forsyth is listed as 312-pounds, but he does not have much mass in his lower body. Maybe a stouter guy like DJ Jones (who is only 6-feet tall compared to Forsyth who is listed at 6’-4”) would be a better option. I would guess that Jones would not get ploughed so easily.

Courtland Sutton hardly left the field on offense playing 54 of 58-snaps. DeVaughn Vele was WR2 in this game getting 38-snaps while LJ Humphrey, Troy Franklin, and Marvin Mims got 34, 20, and 13-snaps. Mims got huge number of touches relative to his 13-snaps with 4-catches and 3-carries. Giving him the ball on more than 50% of his offensive snaps removes any surprise for the defense when he is in the game. If Broncos coaches plan to use him on offense, he needs to be in the game more, but I don’t like that idea since he is not making anyone miss right now. His 7-touches gained 30-yards and 14 of that came on one run. His other 6-touches resulted in 16-yards or less than 3 yards per touch. It’s time to let someone else get those touches – maybe Franklin?

Adam Trautman got the majority of the TE snaps with 34. Nate Adkins and Lucas Krull got 21 and 12.

Audric Estime supplanted Javonte Williams as RB1 in the game getting 26-snaps to Williams 17. Estime got 14-carries, while Williams got three touches (1 carry and 2 catches). Jaleel McLaughlin got 7-snaps and Michael Burton played 10 at fullback.

The two active offensive players who only played on special teams were Forsyth and Alex Palczewski.

Defense

Three defenders played every defensive snap – Cody Barton, Riley Moss and Patrick Surtain. Brandon Jones and PJ Locke played all but one. No other safety played on defense.

Zach Allen played 90% of the defensive snaps on the DL. John Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, and Jordan Jackson played 37, 27, 22, and 14-snaps.

Justin Strnad played 42 as the other ILB. No other ILB played defensive snaps this game.

Edge defenders Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss, and Dondrea Tillman played 48, 45, 29 and 20-snaps. That means that the Broncos ran some plays with three edge defenders on the field.

Ja’Quan McMillian played 56-defensive snaps and Levi Wallace played 9. Denver did not run any plays with 4 CBs on the field.

Defensive players who only played on special teams were JL Skinner, Tremon Smith, Devon Key, Levelle Bailey, and Damarri Mathis. Matthis’ star has really fallen. The one-time starter who has 14-games in his career with 100% of the defensive snaps has played a total of 12-defensive snaps this season.