The Denver Broncos suffered a heartbreaking 16-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in one of the most agonizing defeats in recent franchise history. Even though Denver didn’t walk away with a win, Pro Football Focus (PFF) revealed some of the silver lining that still exists for the up-and-coming Broncos in its player grades for Week 10.

Offense

Best 

  • TE Lucas Krull: 78.6
  • WR Devaughn Vele: 73.3
  • QB Bo Nix: 72.6
  • OT Garett Bolles: 69.1
  • C Luke Wattenberg: 65.2

Worst 

  • OL Ben Powers: 46.8
  • FB Michael Burton: 51.7
  • TE/FB Nate Adkins: 55.3
  • RB Jaleel McLaughlin: 56.4
  • RB Javonte Williams: (57.6)

Bo Nix (72.6) is rapidly gaining national recognition beyond Broncos Country. Had Denver converted that crucial field goal, handing Kansas City their first loss, Nix could have easily claimed the top spot in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race. His final drive was a masterful display that, unfortunately, was not rewarded.

Devaughn Vele (73.3) scored his first career NFL touchdown to give the Broncos an early 7-0 lead. He had an 82% route participation rate, the second-highest for the Broncos. It’s evident that head coach Sean Payton sees Vele as a key part of the offensive plan.

Though he didn’t receive a grade in Week 10, it’s hard not to put center Alex Forsyth at the bottom of any rankings list. In the two weeks prior to Sunday’s game, Forsyth had been knocked to the ground five times on place-kick protection. It was something the Chiefs were prepared for – and took advantage of on the game’s deciding play.

Defense

Best 

  • DL John Franklin-Myers: 74.4
  • DL D.J. Jones: 72.9
  • CB Pat Surtain II: 72.8
  • OLB Nik Bonitto: 70.5
  • OLB Jonathon Cooper: 70.5

Worst 

  • DB P.J. Locke: 38.9
  • DB Brandon Jones: 48.8
  • OLB Jonah Elliss: 50.2
  • DL Malcolm Roach: 55.2
  • CB Riley Moss: 57.9

Nik Bonitto (70.5) dominated the Chiefs’ offensive line on Sunday, earning his seventh sack in eight games. According to PFF, he also had two QB hits, two tackles, and one defensive stop. A questionable penalty robbed him of an additional sack of Chiefs quarteback Patrick Mahomes II.

Pat Surtain II (72.8) certainly had an eventful day going up against 5-time Pro Bowl wideout DeAndre Hopkins. The battle got feisty between the two players over the course of the contested game. Surtain got the last laugh, however, as he was able to hold Hopkins to just two catches for 13 yards when covering him.

Last week, I predicted that linebacker Kwon Alexander would replace Baron Browning on the active roster. Alexander did suit up on Sunday, but did not take a defensive snap. Fellow linebacker Justin Strnad (59.0) received the sixth-lowest grade on defense in his 42 snaps, and it will be worth watching to see how the Broncos decide to proceed with Alexander.

Special Teams 

  • ST Levelle Bailey: 68.9
  • R Marvin Mims: 59.7
  • K Wil Lutz: 56.4 (FG) 60.0 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 59.8

Wil Lutz (56.4) missed two field goals, though it’s hard to put any blame on him for either.

Now at 5-5 and in the thick of theAFC playoff chase, Denver has an opportunity to climb back over .500 with a victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday; after a taxing, two-game road trip against Super Bowl contenders in the Ravens and Chiefs, expect the Broncos to perform with even more energy in their home environment.