Mile High Sports

Broncos defense was backed into a corner against Kansas City

Nov 15, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith (21) attempts to avoid being tackled by Denver Broncos tight end Owen Daniels (81) and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) after intercepting a pass throw by Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) during the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

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…

https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/666040612605419520

One guy came to play…

Lost in the terrible performance by Manning was the D’s continued ability to keep KC out of the end zone…

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