The eight-year playoff drought is finally over! As the seventh seed in the AFC, the Denver Broncos secured their postseason berth with a resounding 38-0 shutout victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. This marked Andy Reid’s worst defeat as Chiefs head coach and their first shutout loss in his tenure. As the Broncos prepare to face the Buffalo Bills this weekend as heavy underdogs, key insights can be taken away from Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) Week 18 grades.

Offense

Best Offensive Players 

  • QB Bo Nix: 90.3
  • G Quinn Meinerz: 87.3
  • WR Courtland Sutton: 83.7
  • WR Marvin Mims: 77.2
  • WR Devaughn Vele: 73.3

Worst Offensive Players 

  • OL Alex Palczewski: 47.7
  • TE Lucas Krull: 50.0
  • RB Jaleel McLaughlin: 54.5
  • OL Alex Forsyth: 55.6
  • FB Michael Burton: 59.2

Nix’s (90.3) record-breaking performance, highlighted by an 89.7% completion rate and 18 consecutive completions, earned him a season-high grade. He finished the 2024 regular season with 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions. Twenty-nine passing touchdowns were the second-most by a rookie quarterback, only behind Justin Herbert’s 31 in 2020. Beyond his passing prowess, Nix showcased his dual-threat abilities, rushing for 430 yards and four touchdowns while also adding a receiving touchdown.

The wide receiver trio combined for four touchdowns and 199 yards. Sutton (83.7) earned a $2 million bonus by surpassing 82 receiving yards, finishing the season with 1,081. Vele (73.3) showcased his athleticism with an impressive touchdown catch, recovering the ball after two deflections. Since his breakout in Week 11, Mims’ (77.2) utilization has been a game-changer for the offense. He scored six touchdowns in the final seven games, including two against the Chiefs.

Defense

Best Defensive Players 

  • OLB Dondrea Tillman: 88.4
  • OLB Nik Bonitto: 87.3
  • DL John Franklin-Myers: 81.4
  • LB Zach Cunningham: 78.1
  • OLB Jonah Elliss: 72.1

Worst Defensive Players 

  • DL D.J. Jones: 29.9
  • DL Jordan Jackson: 54.5
  • DL Malcolm Roach: 55.8
  • DB Brandon Jones: 58.2
  • LB Drew Sanders: 58.2

This was undeniably ‘The Season of Bonitto’ (87.3), as he consistently delivered dominant performances throughout the year. He added two more sacks to his impressive tally, bringing his regular-season total to 13.5. Reminiscent of Von Miller’s playoff heroics that propelled the Broncos to Super Bowl 50 glory and earned him MVP honors, Bonitto’s continued dominance will be crucial if Denver aims to replicate that success in their first trip back to the playoffs.

Zach Allen (71.7) continued his All-Pro level play this week, earning the sixth-highest grade on defense. Despite being snubbed from the Pro Bowl, Allen consistently dominated, generating pressure with two pressures, a quarterback hit, and a tackle in just 24 snaps against the Chiefs. In his second season with Denver, he has amassed an impressive stat line: 75 pressures, 61 tackles, 40 quarterback hits, and 8.5 sacks in 16 games.

Special Teams 

  • ST Michael Burton: 80.6
  • R Marvin Mims: 61.6
  • K Wil Lutz: 65.9 (FG) 56.9 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 59.2

Dixon (59.2) bounced back this week after a disappointing performance against the Bengals. Lutz (65.9) added another field goal to his impressive season, tying Jason Elam’s Broncos single-season record with 31.

While oddsmakers heavily favor the Buffalo Bills, the Denver Broncos possess plenty of reasons for optimism heading into Sunday’s matchup. Though they faced primarily backups in Week 18, the blueprint for success established should be adhered to. The Broncos will need their biggest playmakers to step up and guide the team to a victory that echoes the resounding success of their 2015 season.