The Denver Broncos defense surrendered 29 points to the Kansas City Chiefs in a demoralizing loss at Sports Authority Field, their second time in as many weeks giving up 27 points or more to an opponent.
But, despite the lopsided score of Denver’s 29-13 defeat, the defense should be holding its head high. (Perhaps with the exception of T.J. Ward.)
Yes, they surrendered their highest point total on the season and will fall out of first place in points per game allowed. And yes, after winning seven straight games to start the season Denver has now lost two in a row. Despite all that, Denver’s defense actually played a very good game.
Let’s look at some of the stats.
Despite a possession difference in the first half of 21:10 to 8:50, the Broncos defense was able to help swing it back to a 33:27 to 26:33 differential for the game. They forced two three-and-out drives in the second half, and a missed field goal on a four-play drive.
On third downs, Kansas City was just 4-for-16 on the day, a huge improvement over their effort from last week that saw Indianapolis convert at a 60-percent clip.
On 14 drives, Kansas City’s average starting position was their own 48 yard line. Yet, Denver allowed just two touchdowns on the day. Seven drives started with Kansas City in Denver territory or at midfield, including three on interceptions.
Denver tallied two sacks, two tackles for loss, four passes defended and six quarterback hits. Von Miller accounted for half the sacks and QB hits on his own.
Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith completed just 54.84 percent of his passes with an average of just 6.6 yards per attempt. Minus the blown coverage that resulted in an 80-yard Charcandrick West touchdown in the fourth quarter, they would have kept the Chiefs out of the end zone in the air and their yards per attempt would have been just 4.13.
But for the third time in as many games, the Denver defense did not generate a turnover. The Broncos entered the game at +3 in turnover margin. After five interceptions by Denver quarterbacks, that number has swung to a -2.
Denver’s defense did more right than wrong, given the circumstances, on Sunday. Perhaps one turnover early in the game could have turned the game in a different direction. Sadly for Broncos fans, that didn’t happen and the defense will have to regroup with a trip to Chicago up next.
Here are some of the highlights from social media as the MHS team and other Denver media personalities noted just what a tough spot the defense was in all night…
The Broncos put KC in (field) position to win…
Fair-catch interference gives KC the ball in DEN territory. Five KC possessions have started at the 50 or in @Broncos territory.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 15, 2015
For an offense that's been on the field basically whole game, with an average drive start on the good side of the emblem, KC kinda stinks.
— Nick Groke (@nickgroke) November 15, 2015
This Chiefs offense is brutally bad. Peyton Manning just gives it to them in field goal range over and over again
— Spano (@BrandonSpano) November 15, 2015
https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/666040612605419520
One guy came to play…
There’s not an “almost sack” category, but if there were, Von Miller would be at the very top of the list…
— Brandon Krisztal (@BKDenverSports) November 15, 2015
Well that's a big sack for Von Miller. Keeps some hope alive for the #Broncos
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) November 15, 2015
Lost in the terrible performance by Manning was the D’s continued ability to keep KC out of the end zone…
Given that the #Chiefs have started nearly every drive in #Broncos territory (or close), you’ve got to give the D some credit #KCvsDen
— Michael Jaycox (@MilkyMike) November 15, 2015