The Denver Broncos’ probability of winning today early in the fourth quarter was set at 10.2% according to Next Gen Stats and just before the two-minute warning it was at 11.9%.
Denver just did enough to pull out a crucial win and now lead the AFC West. Here is what it came down to in the Broncos’ 28-24 victory.
Broncos Edge Past Chiefs: Three Takeaways From the 28-24 Comeback
Keeping Kenneth Walker in Check
In Week 1 in the Kansas City Chiefs’ Monday Night Football victory over the Broncos back in September, Kenneth Walker had a monster game. The fifth-year running back ran for 173 yards on 23 carries including a 63-yard rushing touchdown. He also forced 14 missed tackles in the blowout victory.
It was a different story this time around as the Denver defense held the former Seahawk to just 69 yards, with his longest rush set at 10. The real factor out of the running backs for Kansas City was rookie Emmett Johnson. The former Nebraska Cornhusker was a very dangerous receiving weapon Sunday afternoon totaling 128 yards on five receptions leading the Chiefs and it included a 73-yard touchdown.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton was very impressed with Johnson coming out of Nebraska.
“Look, we didn’t just like two, we loved Emmitt,” Payton said. “ We felt this was a good running back draft. Exciting backs that are going to play a long time in this league.”
Johnson was certainly an exciting back out of college and he is someone to keep an eye on for years to come.
Jonah Coleman Was the X-Factor for Denver
Broncos rookie running back Jonah Coleman stepped up in a big way for Denver’s offense. The former Washington Husky rushed for 41 yards off 11 carries and a touchdown. He also totaled 63 receiving yards off of four receptions as well. One of these receptions included a gain of 51 yards, setting up the Broncos’ go-ahead touchdown which also belonged to Coleman.
Payton was very impressed with the spark play that helped the Broncos come out on top.
“Bo recognized when he caught it… everyone was covering someone,” Payton said. “No one had Jonah. There’s nothing like a one-play, two-minute drive that takes you to the two… [It’s} just lessons learned, but a huge play.”
In total the rookie had 104 all-purpose yards and led the Broncos in receiving as well.
Broncos Fourth Quarter “Mile High Magic” Sparks Again
I’m not sure why it has been a theme for the Broncos the last two years to perform bad, decent, or good in the first three quarters and then at times look like a different team in the fourth. Today was no exception, as the Broncos just totaled thirteen points through three quarters. Denver in their first three drives of the second half had three-and-outs all three times, but the Broncos went on to score 15 points unanswered, and quarterback Bo Nix had a 158.3 passer rating while passing for 85 yards in the fourth. Nix may have his struggles, but he sure knows how to step up at the end of games.
Payton noted that the Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo didn’t make it easy, but his team has been exceptional in the fourth as of recently.
“I made a few better calls in the fourth than I did the third,” Payton said. “There’s a little cat and mouse with pressure. Steve does a great job…You just keep pounding; fortunately, we had enough in the fourth.”
However, credit to Denver for not hanging their heads and fighting through a very sloppy first three quarters of offensive play.
There is credit to be given to the Broncos’ exceptional defense as well. Though they allowed the Chiefs to get all the way down to the 1-yard line, they barred down and prevented Kansas City from claiming victory on another last-second heroic drive from Patrick Mahomes. They capped the game off with a sack from defensive tackle Malcolm Roach.
One more factor that may be put under the rug was the crowd energy from the Broncos fans. They have always been one of the loudest crowds in all of football and they definitely left their impact on this game. The crowd may have caused the Chiefs to false start near the end of the game and that may have saved the Broncos from a devastating loss.
If the play wouldn’t have been blown dead, the Chiefs had an easy game-winning touchdown catch from receiver Rashee Rice, but the penalty caused Kansas City to move back and the Denver Defense did not let that opportunity slip sealing the deal on the next play.
Payton is always appreciative and understands the impact that the home crowd in Denver makes.
“It’s a special place,” Payton said. “It’s something else; they won us the game tonight.” (via SportsCenter on X)
Just Keep Pounding
It sounds cliche but it’s all relative, the Broncos are in first place in the AFC West but they have to keep winning games and not let up. It helps that Denver has gotten past the hardest part of their schedule and statistically have the easiest schedule in the NFL remaining and just need to keep getting better and winning games.
The Broncos will travel next week to take on the Carolina Panthers starting at 1 p.m. E.T. The Chiefs will host the New York Jets next week, with kickoff at 1 p.m. E.T.
Main Image: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
