To set up a potential game-winning field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10, the Denver Broncos needed six yards to convert on third down. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix dropped back, stepped up on edge pressure and found wide receiver Courtland Sutton open behind the sticks.
It was the No. 1 receiver’s sixth catch of the day, including a 32-yard touchdown run that pushed Denver’s lead to 14-3 at halftime. Cornerback Trent McDuffie was in man-to-man coverage on Sutton in both crucial moments. The Chiefs’ top coverage player was responsible for 67 receiving yards, the highest mark in any game this season, according to PFF.
I thought Courtland Sutton would be a strong challenge to McDuffie because of his strength and athleticism. I’ve seen it, but just some great ways in general.
One of the most underrated WRs in the NFL, sometimes you have to tip your hat pic.twitter.com/MsMsezA18d
– Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) November 12, 2024
It was a tough match for McDuffie, defending Sutton’s 6-foot-4, 216-pound frame. The 29-year-old receiver has worked through his quarterback challenges in Denver, but he showed why he’s one of the most underrated receivers in the league on these plays. He ran clear routes and used his strength to gain separation skillfully.
It was an individual battle that McDuffie could tip his hat to and still feel good about being limited to three impactful completions. Overall, the Chiefs’ defense held the Broncos to a manageable point total, but several important completions brought life to the upset showing.
Bust for coverage
This is how backups in the secondary can create holes in coverage
23 and 13 are supposed to pick up routes coming into split field coverage
23 bails to clear the deep cross, 13 tries to follow his man all the way but I think he is expected to pick up a shallow cross. pic.twitter.com/euzlGrCU9j
– Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) November 12, 2024
On Denver’s first down drive, a punt and fumble penalty put the offense back on second-and-long. To defend the pass, the Chiefs come out in split coverage that asks the defenders to the left of the offense to play man coverage, and the defenders to the right to run zone coverage.
Cornerback Nazih Johnson starts in man coverage, but his receiver runs across the field to the side of the zone. He has to let go and look for a receiver coming from the other direction to catch it, such as a tight end launching it on a shallow crossing route. Instead, Johnson continues to pursue the receiver, effectively colliding with linebacker Drew Tranquille, trying to pick up a deeper cross pattern.
It results in a 34-yard gain, a pass that could have gone to one of two receivers broken by a coverage failure.
a plan
The Broncos converted a third-and-5 from the 6-yard line to cap off the touchdown drive. The Chiefs dropped into zone coverage, but Denver had the perfect option to beat.
It was Denver’s first TD to beat Spags’ coverage scheme
It looks like KC wants to bracket Sutton with McDuffie on the outside and Reed on the inside
This forces 23 to calculate the flat. With Reed occupied, no one would descend into that Hook Zone pic.twitter.com/Fnn3eBHiiK
– Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) November 12, 2024
Knowing that Sutton was a potent threat in the red zone, the Chiefs focused two players on him: cornerback Trent McDuffie and safety Justin Reed who bracketed him on both sides. McDuffie’s liability makes the left flat vulnerable, which is why linebacker Drue Tranquill has to cover the running back when he moves there.
Denver’s formation is strong on the right, which draws the rest of the Chiefs’ zone defenders to that side of the ball. There is no one left to cover the receiver running from right to left, leaving a window open to throw a touchdown.
Sutton’s danger forced the Chiefs’ hand. This was the second week in a row that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo appeared to excel with a pass in the red zone.
After allowing two passing touchdowns in the first half, the Spags had to find ways to help cover on down passes over the final two quarters.
#PresidentsThe coverage was a bit shaky in the first half against Denver
So, on two crucial third downs in the second half, he sent big blitzes to make sure the Knicks couldn’t get a layup
He sends both A-gap defenders to the first right back, then overloads the left side and drops Uche right for the second pic.twitter.com/LQaBwSTeTi
– Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) November 12, 2024
To force punts on two drives before the final possession, the Chiefs blitzed — and blitzed aggressively. Each of these third downs had no conversion opportunity because the rush outplayed the Broncos’ pass protection.
With defenders occupying the Broncos’ three offensive linemen, linebacker Nick Bolton and safety Justin Reid rush into the A-holes, knowing the running back can only pick one off. The Knicks have nowhere to run from Bolton. The Chiefs overwhelm the left side of the Broncos’ pass protection by sending two blitzes over traditional rushers. Denver’s left guard failed to pick off Reid — but even if he did, N’Azeeh Johnson would have been free to make the same quick throw. Bottom line
The Chiefs’ defense has had a stronger run this year, but the unit still makes enough saves to expect a win. The Chiefs’ offense and quarterback Patrick Mahomes missed scoring opportunities and made this an even more comfortable victory.
However, the Broncos used the final 5:57 of the game to close in on a win in Kansas City. The 13-play drive moved the chains three times, and the Knicks completed all five of their passes on possession. The final third was converted from the bottom by completing the pitch.
The Chiefs feel the absence of cornerback Jaylen Watson. The four-man pass rush should be more consistent than it was against the Knicks, and Johnson will need to settle in at second and validate the coaching staff’s belief in him. Third-string Joshua Williams played just six snaps against Denver.
