Still feeling the sting.
Sunday’s game feels like the best team on the field walked away with a loss. In what was one of the most competitive and compelling Chiefs rivalry games in recent memory, the Denver Broncos revealed a lot about just who they are over halfway though the season. Here’s what we know:
- Bow nix is maturing before our very eyes. The Nix we saw on Sunday was not the timid, happy-footed rookie that showed up during the team’s last 2-game losing streak. Coach Sean Payton has added plays to Nix’s aresenal that push the ball downfield. Granted, there is still a great deal for him to learn, but you can’t deny that Nix’s game has a subtle sophistication that hasn’t been seen from a Broncos rookie, perhaps ever.
- The Denver defense is nasty. Not since the days of the No Fly Zone has it been this fun to watch the defense beat, badger, and bludgeon opposing offenses. 4 different players rang up 4 sacks and had quelled the Patrick Mahomes threat, enabling Denver to be in a position to win the game with that ill-fated field goal attempt. Vance Joseph called one hell of a game against that most annoying and, according to their record, best team in football. Barf.
- Broncos are turning a corner. Yes, Denver has lost its last two games, but there is a fire in the boiler the likes of which Broncos Country hasn’t seen since the Manning years. The offense and defense are showing growth in leaps and bounds while special teams, though frustrating on Sunday, is not the consistent pain-point it has been. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still tremendous opportunity for growth, but this is the first time in a very long time Broncos Country hasn’t identified a coach or coordinator to run out of Denver on a rail. No heads are being called for on this coaching staff and that’s a huge improvement over year’s past.
Sure, Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs stung. It’s never fun to lose that way. However, the bumbling band of doofuses that have frustrated Broncos Country over these past few years have been replaced by the foundations of what are going to be a competitive and relevant team for years to come. With a full bevy of draft picks and salary cap space unseen since before the Russell Wilson debacle, it looks like the Broncos are going to emerge from the darkness sooner, rather than later.
Headlines
Lutz’s last-second field goal blocked, Broncos lose heartbreaker to Chiefs
A 29-yard-field goal attempt by Broncos kicker Will Lutz was blocked as time expired Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, and the Broncos lost a heartbreaker to the rival Chiefs, 16-14.
‘Games like this are supposed to hurt’: Broncos suffer ‘gut-wrenching’ loss in 16-14 decision vs. Chiefs
“Obviously, a tough loss,” Head Coach Sean Payton said. “I thought we played well on the road. … I felt like we outplayed them, but we didn’t finish.
Broncos fall just short in tough, last-second loss to Chiefs | Analysis
Following the Denver Broncos’ 16-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, lead writer Aric DiLalla gives his takeaways as the Broncos drop to 5-5 on the season.
For Broncos, bitter end doesn’t erase so many signs of progress
For the Broncos, this one hurts badly … and that’s a good sign, because it shows how far this team has come and what’s in front of it.
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto gets a blind-side sack on Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for a loss of 9 yards.
Tough loss to Chiefs shows Broncos’ limited margin for error – ESPN
The Broncos easily could have knocked off the Chiefs, but little mistakes here and there caused them to fall short yet again.
Chiefs block potential game-winning field goal to stop Broncos, keep undefeated streak alive – Yahoo Sports
The Chiefs have now won 15 straight games.
Chiefs block Broncos’ FG to win fourth game on walk-off play – ESPN
The Chiefs won their fourth game on a walk-off play this season after blocking the Broncos’ potental game-winning field goal on Sunday.
Kansas City Chiefs block potential game-winning field goal, defeat Denver Broncos to stay unbeaten | CNN
The Kansas City Chiefs pulled off another unlikely victory on Sunday, blocking a 35-yard field goal attempt by Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz as time expired, to win 16-14 and improve to an undefeated 9-0 record this season.
Kansas City Chiefs win vs. Denver Broncos: Week 10 analysis | Kansas City Star
Kansas City Chiefs blocked a field goal on game’s last play, and QB Patrick Mahomes was just good enough as KC stayed undefeated at 9-0.
Colts CB Kenny Moore: I don’t think everyone is working as hard as possible – NBC Sports
One of the Colts’ captains offered a harsh review of his team after Sunday’s 30-20 loss to the Bills.
Chargers’ toughness, energy under Jim Harbaugh evident in latest win over Titans
Judy Battista examines Jim Harbaugh and his return to the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers. In their Week 10 win over Tennessee, she writes how the team has embodied its head coach’s personality while setting its sights on the postseason.
NFL stats and records, Week 10: Jared Goff overcomes five INTs; Jalen Hurts keeps scoring
NFL Research spotlights the best nuggets from each slate of games. Here are the most eye-popping statistical accomplishments from Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season.
LB Leo Chenal keeps Chiefs’ undefeated season alive with game-winning FG block vs. Broncos
The Kansas City Chiefs remain undefeated after linebacker Leo Chenal blocked Wil Lutz’s field-goal attempt in the final secons on Sunday to hold off the rival Denver Broncos.
Vikings remain ‘100 percent confident’ in Sam Darnold despite 3-INT day in win over Jaguars
The Minnesota Vikings survivved a poor three-INT day from QB San Darnold in Sunday’s 12-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. HC Kevin O’Connell backed his QB following the game.
C.J. Stroud shoulders blame after Texans’ collapse vs. Lions – ESPN
A frustrated C.J. Stroud placed the blame on himself and the offense for the second-half woes that sunk the Texans in their loss to the Lions on Sunday night.
CeeDee Lamb wants Cowboys to block sunlight with curtains after drop – ESPN
In a 28-point blowout, maybe a second-quarter touchdown would not have mattered much, but once again sunlight was a storyline in a Dallas Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium.
Bears to evaluate ‘everything’ after offense sputters again – ESPN
Matt Eberflus said he will evaluate “everything from the top to the bottom,” including playcalling, following Chicago’s third consecutive loss.
Matt Eberflus on changing offensive play caller: We’ll look at everything – NBC Sports
After failing to score a touchdown in a 29-9 loss to the Cardinals in Week Nine, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus didn’t hesitate when it came to saying he would be sticking with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron as the team’s offensive play caller.
Dak Prescott will meet with specialist in New York on Monday – NBC Sports
The Cowboys quarterback has a torn right hamstring, which likely will require surgery.
Cowboys’ Jerry Jones not expected to fire Mike McCarthy during season, reveals criteria for coaching decision – CBSSports.com
Jones appears to be sticking with McCarthy for now despite a 3-6 start
Steelers’ Mike Williams says he never ran route that led to his game-winning TD catch – CBSSports.com
Williams’ admission makes his game-winning score even more insane
49ers’ Jake Moody hits walk-off FG vs. Bucs after three missed kicks, scuffle with Deebo Samuel on sideline – CBSSports.com
From strife to celebration
Lions vs. Texans score: Detroit overcomes 16-point halftime deficit, wins on walk-off field goal – CBSSports.com
Jake Bates nails a 52-yarder at the buzzer as Lions rally from 16-point halftime deficit to win
Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich has grim response when asked about New York’s fleeting playoff hopes – CBSSports.com
Ulbrich has a realistic perspective for his team
NFL Week 10: What We Learned from each Sunday game
Around The NFL breaks down what you need to know from all of Sunday’s action in Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season.