The Kansas City Chiefs faced the Denver Broncos for the first time this season on Sunday, and it was a game that came down to the final seconds. The Broncos had the early advantage over the Kansas City Chiefs with a 14-3 lead, putting Kansas City in their largest deficit of the season. However, the Chiefs did what they always do and fought back scored 13 unanswered points, and ultimately pulled out the 16-14 win.
Bo Nix and the Denver offense proved tougher than expected for Kansas City’s defense. Nix led an otherwise lackluster passing attack with impressive efficiency. Kansas City’s defensive unit faced a different kind of challenge while facing the Broncos’ rookie quarterback, who was only in his 10th NFL game as a starter. Despite a shaky first half, the Chiefs’ defense made the necessary adjustments, and in the second half, they put up a shutout which led to the Chiefs’ eventual victory.
Kansas City Chiefs Defense Overcame First Half Struggles
Bo Nix showed maturity beyond his years, completing 22 out of his 30 pass attempts for 215 yards and two touchdowns. His accuracy on third downs, paired with his ability to take advantage of Kansas City’s occasional lapses in coverage, kept Denver in the game. The Chiefs’ defensive front also struggled to apply pressure on Nix consistently, which forced Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to rely more on blitzes, a strategy that hurt them early on in their defensive coverages.
This is the second consecutive game in which Kansas City’s defense has looked vulnerable early. The inability to consistently reach Nix disrupted Spagnuolo’s plans and allowed Denver’s offense to capitalize on blown assignments for big plays. However, despite all of their faults, the Chiefs’ defense clamped down as the game progressed, and in the second half, they did not surrender a single point to the Broncos offense.
The Kansas City Chiefs held the Broncos to just 53 total yards after halftime, including 43 yards on Denver’s final drive, which ended with the game-sealing blocked field goal. Spagnuolo’s adjustments made it difficult for Denver to find any rhythm offensively, and the Kansas City Chiefs kept their perfect season alive. Kansas City is continuing to showcase its championship pedigree as they find new ways to win.
Standout Defensive Performances
Safety Nazeeh Johnson, returned after missing the Chiefs’ prior game against the Bucs because he was in concussion protocol made his presence felt early and often against the Broncos. Johnson finished the game leading the team with 10 total tackles, including one of the Chiefs’ two sacks. Bolton’s speed and instincts were key factors in limiting Denver’s offense in the second half, as he made multiple plays that forced the Broncos into difficult third-down situations.
Safety Justin Reid also had a strong performance, finishing the game with seven tackles which was second-best on the day, and had a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit to go along with it. According to Pro Football Focus, Reid earned the Chiefs’ highest tackling grade with an 83.2 rating. His presence helped Kansas City maintain discipline in their secondary and limit Denver’s receivers after the catch. Reid’s contributions in run support and pass coverage were also crucial to Kansas City’s shutting out Denver in the second half.
Another standout was Linebacker Nick Bolton, who bounced back from his performance in Week 9. Bolton added six tackles, including Kansas City’s other sack, and earned the top pass-rushing grade of 77.1, according to Pro Football Focus. His relentless energy helped plug up running lanes and limited Denver’s ability to stretch plays. Bolton’s resurgence came at the perfect time, as Kansas City leaned on his tackling to help maintain control of the game.
Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Unit Showed Improvement
Nov 10, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah (97) at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
The Chiefs’ defensive performance marked a significant improvement over the previous week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The entire defense, from the front seven to the secondary, delivered a more balanced effort. Each unit contributed enough to keep Denver from finding a consistent flow offensively after their initial 14 points. Kansas City’s defenders tackled with more precision and discipline, avoiding the costly errors that nearly led to a Week 9 loss.
Another impressive achievement from this game was the Kansas City Chiefs defense holding Denver to just 14 points, which is the second-lowest total Kansas City has surrendered all season. Though Kansas City’s defense bent at times, they refused to break, stepping up when it mattered most. Although the defense was unable to generate constant pressure on the Bo Nix in this game, they were able to adapt to Denver’s offensive game plan the second half reflected that fact.
Each phase of the defense showed improvement, offering promise as Kansas City prepares for arguably its toughest game this season. The Kansas City Chiefs head to Orchard Park this Sunday to face the Buffalo Bills for an opportunity to all but lock up the AFC’s top seed. These two teams have been the AFC’s most consistent over the last few seasons and will look to add another chapter to their rivalry on Sunday.
Final Thoughts
Kansas City’s defensive performance against Denver wasn’t flawless, but it was effective. They overcame early challenges, adjusted well in the second half, and made timely plays that were needed to secure the win. The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense remains the backbone of this team as they continue to make their push for another Super Bowl.
With the Buffalo Bills up next, the Kansas City Chiefs know that this is the time of the year when they will have to start playing their best football. A large part of that happening is being able to maintain their current defensive momentum while shoring up minor gaps. For now, Kansas City can take pride in a hard-fought win and a defense that knows how to deliver in clutch moments.
