Broncos aim to clinch playoff berth with Week 18 win over Chiefs in a… read more
Broncos Seek to Clinch Postseason Berth with Win Over Chiefs
The Denver Broncos can secure their first postseason appearance since 2015 with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Head Coach Sean Payton is excited about the prospect of playing a meaningful game at home.
The Broncos are looking to bounce back from a two-game skid and finish the regular season on a high note. Quarterback Bo Nix emphasized the importance of staying focused and playing their best football. “Our goal is to get to 10 wins, and we have another opportunity to do that,” he said.
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton stated that the team’s goal is simple: win the game. “We’ve got to win the game,” he said. “Simple. There’s nothing else that goes into it.”
A win on Sunday would cap off a memorable season for the Broncos and set up a wild-card round matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
CAN BO NIX ADD TO AN IMPRESSIVE ROOKIE CAMPAIGN?
As the Denver Broncos prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs in their regular-season finale, quarterback Bo Nix is poised to deliver another standout performance. Nix has consistently demonstrated his ability to rise to the occasion, as evidenced by his numerous clutch plays throughout the season.
According to Head Coach Sean Payton, Nix has a knack for making big plays when it matters most. “He’s constantly showed up when we needed a big drive or something at the end of the half or a play,” Payton said.
Nix is currently tied with Jayden Daniels for the most passing touchdowns by a rookie this season, and he recently achieved a significant milestone by becoming just the third rookie quarterback in NFL history to post at least 3,000 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, and 300 rushing yards.
If Nix can pass for 200 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, he would set a new standard for rookie quarterbacks since at least 1950. With the Broncos boasting the 10th-ranked scoring offense, Nix and his teammates are well-positioned to find success in their final regular-season game.
The Broncos’ ability to protect Nix has been a key factor in their success, allowing the third-fewest sacks of any team this season. When Nix is sacked no more than once in a game, the Broncos are undefeated, with a 7-0 record.
With several key Chiefs defenders expected to miss the game, Nix may face reduced pressure, allowing him to lead the offense to scoring drives. The Broncos have scored at least 24 points in each of their last six games and have crossed the 30-point threshold on five occasions this season. If Nix can help the Broncos get off to a strong start, it could set the tone for a crucial matchup.
CAN COURTLAND SUTTON AND MARVIN MIMS JR. TAKE ADVANTAGE?
The Denver Broncos’ leading receivers, Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr., are set to face a Kansas City Chiefs secondary that will be without several key players. Sutton and Mims combined for 13 catches, 158 yards, and three touchdowns in Week 17, and they could make another significant impact on Sunday.
With cornerback Jaylen Watson ruled out and cornerback Trent McDuffie and safety Justin Reid listed as doubtful, the Chiefs’ defense may struggle to contain Sutton and Mims. Sutton is just 17 yards away from his second 1,000-yard season as a pro, and a strong performance on Sunday could help him reach that milestone.
Mims has been a versatile threat for the Broncos, lining up in various positions and making a Pro Bowl-worthy impact as a returner. If he can build on his best performance of the season, Denver could use chunk plays to gain an advantage over the Chiefs.
Mims attributed his success to memorization and being a playmaker. “It’s just being a playmaker and making plays in a certain situation,” he said. “It’s never just picture perfect. At the end of the day, you just have to take what’s there.”
If Sutton and Mims can capitalize on the opportunities presented to them, the Broncos could be poised for offensive success against the Chiefs.
WILL DENVER’S PRO BOWL DEFENDERS MAKE IMPACT PLAYS?
Although the Kansas City Chiefs will be without several key playmakers, including Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, they still boast a talented roster that could pose a challenge to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Wide receivers Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, and JuJu Smith-Schuster are all expected to play, as are starting offensive linemen D.J. Humphries, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, and Trey Smith. At quarterback, Carson Wentz has shown he can lead the team to victory, having done so in his lone start of 2023.
Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton acknowledged Wentz’s abilities, saying, “He’s in this league for a reason. He’s big, and he’s strong. He was a first-round draft pick.”
The Broncos defense, which has given up at least 30 points in four consecutive games, will need to step up to slow down Wentz and the Chiefs. Cornerback Pat Surtain II and outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, both Pro Bowl selections, will be key players in this effort.
Surtain has been exceptional in locking down opposing top receivers, while Bonitto has made game-changing plays, including a pair of defensive touchdowns. Defensive lineman Zach Allen, who leads the NFL with 39 quarterback hits, could also play a crucial role in pressuring Wentz.
If the Broncos can generate pressure and provide tight coverage, they may be able to bounce back from their recent defensive struggles and secure a crucial victory over the Chiefs.
