Arrowhead Pride
The Chiefs limited Denver’s offense, but the big plays nearly cost them their undefeated record.
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 third down. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix dropped back, stepped up from edge pressure and found wide receiver Courtland Sutton open past the sticks.
It was the number-one receiver’s sixth catch of the day, including a 32-yard touchdown that pushed Denver’s lead to 14-3 in the first half. Cornerback Trent McDuffie was in man-to-man coverage on Sutton for both crucial moments. The Chiefs’ top coverage player was responsible for 67 receiving yards, the highest mark of any game this season, according to PFF.
It was a challenging matchup for McDuffie, defending Sutton’s frame of 6 feet 4 inches and 216 pounds. The 29-year-old receiver has worked through quarterback challenges in Denver, but he showed why he is one of the most underrated receivers in the league on these plays. He ran crisp routes and used his strength to subtly gain separation.
It was a one-on-one battle McDuffie can tip his cap to and still feel good about limiting to three impactful completions. Overall, the Chiefs’ defense held the Broncos to a manageable point total, but multiple significant completions breathed life into the upset bid.
On Denver’s first touchdown drive, a fumbled snap and penalty set the offense back into second and long. To defend the pass, the Chiefs come out in split-field coverage that asks defenders on the offense’s left to play man coverage, and defenders to the right to run zone coverage.
Cornerback Nazeeh Johnson starts in man coverage, but his receiver runs across the field into the zone side. He should let him go and find a receiver coming from the other direction to pick up, like the tight end releasing into a shallow crossing route. Instead, Johnson continues to follow the receiver, actually running into linebacker Drue Tranquil,l attempting to pick up a deeper crossing pattern.
It leads to a 34-yard gain, a pass that could’ve gone to one of two receivers breaking open because of the coverage bust.
The Broncos converted third-and-5 from the 6-yard line to punctuate the touchdown drive. The Chiefs dropped into zone coverage, but Denver had the perfect call to beat it.
Knowing Sutton is a strong threat in the red zone, the Chiefs focused two players on him: cornerback Trent McDuffie and safety Justin Reid bracketed him from either side. McDuffie’s responsibility makes the left flat vulnerable, which is why linebacker Drue Tranquill has to cover the running back when he motions out there.
Denver’s formation is strong to the right, pulling the rest of the Chiefs’ zone defenders to that side of the ball. There’s no one left to cover the receiver that works from right to left, leaving an open window to throw the touchdown.
The gravity of Sutton forced the Chiefs’ hand; it was the...
