The Denver Broncos made three mistakes on the blocked field goal by the Chiefs.

If you sat through the Broncos versus the Chiefs on Sunday afternoon, you saw a great game. It was competitive throughout, with Denver playing up to undefeated Kansas City’s level. And you watched with bated breath as the Broncos marched downfield to set up a game-winning field goal.

And when the Chiefs blocked the field goal to win the game, the whole thing came crashing down.

Denver Broncos made 3 mistakes on the game-losing blocked field goal

How could this happen?

That was the sentiment by every Broncos fan watching the game on Sunday.

The team fought for 59:59, and with one second left on the clock, they were going to win the game. A 35-yard field goal may not be automatic, but it’s a sure thing. Especially when considering Broncos kicker Will Lutz had only missed two field goals the entire season, including the 60-yarder earlier in the game.

But the Chiefs overwhelmed the Broncos left side of the line and blocked the kick with ease.

So, what happened?

The Denver Broncos made three mistakes on the field goal.

First, Matt Peart, who is lined up on the far left side of the line, blocked out instead of down or inside. One of the most fundamental aspects of field goal or point after touchdown protection is to block down. He should have blocked to his right and allowed the outside guy to get a free run at the kicker.

The reason for that is it’s a shorter distance from the inside of the line to the ball than going around. That’s why on almost every field goal you’ll see a speedy guy running toward the kicker but he almost never gets there on time.

Second, Alex Forsyth doesn’t attack the opponents and gets bowled over. Forsyth has played great at center this year as a fill-in when Luke Wattenberg was injured. But this was probably his worst snap of the season.

Forsyth, second to left on the line, just sits in his stance instead of forcing the contact on one of the rushing Chiefs. Yes, he was overpowered 3-to-1, but there’s no reason he should’ve been run over like that. It was laughably bad play for him, and cost the Broncos the game.

Forsyth was bowled over on the missed field goal before half, too. (Also, H/T to Ross at MHR for pointing out these issues.)

Why are the Broncos lining up like that on field goals?

The biggest of the Denver Broncos three mistakes was how they’ve been lining up for field goals all year long.

I’m sure there are some explanations to be had. But it would be great if Ben Kotwica, the special team coordinator, would explain why the players are lined up as they were.

For one, tackles Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey are on opposite sides of the center from where they usually play on offense. Next, why is Forsyth, the backup center, outside of McGlinchey on the left side of the line?

It seems to make sense that an interior lineman should be further inside rather than outside. And not to pick on him too much, but Forsyth just stands there when the ball is snapped. It’s like he thinks this is a preseason or practice rep, not a potential game-winning rep from the Chiefs.

After going back and looking at previous field goals–specifically one from the Saints game, and a preseason game–the players were still aligned in those same spots.

It seems likely that Bolles and McGlinchey are either more comfortable on the opposite sides of the line than usual, or they’re more effective there.

But why not have McGlinchey lined up outside of Forsyth, at least?

All year long, Sean Payton’s received praise for the improved play of his special teams. They are covering punts, specifically, much better than in years passed.

But coaching should be held accountable for the glaring mistakes made by the field goal protection team. Kotwica should consider lining up his starting tackles on their usual sides, he must coach up Peart for blocking out instead of in, and Forsyth should likely be replaced on those plays.

Chris Tomasson asked Sean Payton about Forsyth not blocking well on the field goal. Payton explained, “They felt like they had an indication relative to how his weight was balanced, all of that is game planning and scouting and then it’s us coaching and looking at the self scout.”

Now, the Broncos sit 5-5 on the season. They have little to no chance of winning the AFC West, but they are still in the playoff picture. Denver sits as the seventh seed in the AFC, with both the Indianapolis Colts (8) and Cincinnati Bengals (9) losing this weekend, and falling to 4-6 respectively.