Initial thoughts from Broncos’ 24-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8 at Empower Field at Mile High:
Staying grounded: It was talked about ad nauseum all offseason. This was was supposed to be an offense grounded in the run game — until suddenly it wasn’t. And that’s mostly been because Sean Payton, the play-caller, hasn’t been stubborn enough to stick with it. Now that Javonte Williams appears to be at or near 100% after last season’s torn ACL, Payton has no choice. This offense is at its best when Williams carries the rock — often — with intermittent cameos from Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine. It’s what he did in Denver’s first drive of the game (seven touches, 32 yards, one TD), and it’s what helped the Broncos grind away at the clock in the second half. More of that, please.
Jeudy’s revenge: The last time these two teams met, receiver Jerry Jeudy submitted a three-catch, 14-yard stink bomb after Steve Smith Sr. called him “just another guy” on the Thursday Night Football pregame show. A little more than two weeks later, after Smith apologized for his bizarre rant, Jeudy got a measure of revenge against both the Chiefs and the former Pro Bowl receiver. His 39-yard leaping grab over Justin Reid in the second quarter might be one of his best since getting selected 15th overall in the 2020 draft. And the 11-yard touchdown catch that followed it was punctuated by an emotional spike of the ball against the end zone wall that said everything without saying anything at all. Those might have been Jeudy’s only two catches of the game, but they were plenty.
In defense of the defense: One reason to hold on to Justin Simmons at the trade deadline? The Denver defense … might be good again? Since the veteran safety’s Week 5 return, the Broncos D’s had one clunker (31-21 loss to Jets) and three performances ranging from good to great, with Sunday’s showing certainly falling into the latter category. The playmakers were at every level. Linebacker Josey Jewell delivering a crushing blow to force a Marquez Valdes-Scantling fumble. Defensive lineman Zach Allen dropping Kadarius Toney for a critical 3-yard loss. Edge rusher Baron Browning flying in off the edge to jar the ball loose from Patrick Mahomes. And cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian making plays all over the field — first with a diving pick near midfield, then with an open-field tackle of Jerick McKinnon that may have saved a touchdown. This defense is back, and an argument can be made for keeping it intact.
Lock up the vault?: The streak is over. For the first time in 17 meetings between Kansas City and Denver, it’s the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes who walk away as losers. And now, after a 1-5 start foretold yet another lost season in Broncos Country, there’s suddenly the tiniest tinge of hope. Denver is now 3-5 going into its bye week with the trade deadline looming Tuesday. Is that enough to keep Broncos general manager George Paton from being a seller at the deadline? Or is this just fool’s gold for a team that’s still going nowhere fast? We’ll find out soon enough. But for now, just enjoy this one. It’s been a long time coming.
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