The Denver Broncos didn’t have many believers (shoutout to Adam Rank), but they proved the doubters wrong with a win over the reigning AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs. Denver now holds a two-game lead in the division and has dropped Kansas City to 5-5. Pro Football Focus (PFF) released its Week 11 player grades, highlighting the best and worst individual performances.

Offense

Best

  • QB Bo Nix: 85.3
  • OT Mike McGlinchey: 72.1
  • OG Quinn Meinerz: 71.7
  • TE Evan Engram: 70.8
  • WR Courtland Sutton: 69.8

Nix outperformed Patrick Mahomes (46.9), and it wasn’t particularly close. He’s now just one blocked field goal away from being 3-0 against the Chiefs. While Nix’s stat line wasn’t gaudy, he played a mistake-free game and led his fifth fourth-quarter comeback of the season. His poise showed on a clutch 3rd-and-15 strike to Sutton, followed by a 32-yard completion to Troy Franklin (61.2) that set up the game-winning field goal.

Worst

  • OL Alex Palczewski: 36.5
  • FB Adam Prentice: 40.0
  • WR Marvin Mims Jr.: 52.4
  • WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey: 55.5
  • RB RJ Harvey: 55.5

Concerns about replacing JK Dobbins weren’t eased, as Denver’s run game was nearly invisible. Harvey managed just 30 yards on 11 carries (2.7 YPC). Jaleel McLaughlin (60.2) got more touches as well, but wasn’t much more effective, recording six carries for just 19 yards (3.2 YPC). Harvey flashed some potential with three catches for 20 yards and delivered a burst of energy on the final drive, contributing key runs that set up the game-winning field goal.

Defense

Best

  • DL Eyioma Uwazurike: 84.2
  • CB Ja’Quan McMillian: 74.2
  • LB Justin Strnad: 74.0
  • DB Talanoa Hufanga: 69.8
  • DB Brandon Jones: 66.9

McMillian was the star of the night. Despite Stephen A. Smith’s incorrect claim, McMillian has been Denver’s starting nickel all season—and he delivered in a big way with defensive stars Pat Surtain II and Alex Singleton both out. Per PFF, he recorded two sacks, four total tackles, and what may have been a game-saving interception. His second sack came on Kansas City’s final drive, stopping their momentum and giving the Broncos the ball back for what ultimately became the game-winning possession.

Worst

  • DL D.J. Jones: 43.5
  • LB Dre Greenlaw: 45.3
  • DL John Franklin-Myers: 48.8
  • CB Kris Abrams-Draine: 52.7
  • DL Zach Allen: 52.7

Low tackling grades dragged down the overall scores for Greenlaw (35.5) and Jones (29.5). According to PFF, both players missed one tackle, and Greenlaw allowed four receptions on four targets. Jones receiving the lowest grade on the team is somewhat puzzling, considering PFF also credited him with a sack, a batted pass, and three stops.

Special Teams

  • ST Frank Crum: 93.2
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 45.7
  • KR Marvin Mims Jr.: 68.2
  • P Jeremy Crawshaw: 69.3
  • K Wil Lutz: 77.3 (FG) 60.0 (KO)

The special teams unit delivered arguably its best outing of the season. Crum blocked an extra point to keep Denver within three. Mims ripped off a 70-yard punt return. Crawshaw pinned three punts inside the 20-yard line. And Lutz was perfect, going 5-for-5 on field goals—including a 54-yarder to tie the game and the game winner as time expired.

The Denver Broncos head into their Week 12 bye with no threat to their hold on first place in the AFC West. When they return, they’ll travel to Washington for a Sunday night matchup against the Commanders, kicking off at 6:20 p.m. MST.