Broncos’ Defense Shines as Denver Outlasts Jets 13-11 in London Showdown
The Denver Broncos edged out the New York Jets 13-11 in a gritty defensive battle at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Quarterback Bo Nix threw the game’s only touchdown late in the first quarter, while Denver’s defense dominated throughout, sacking Jets quarterback Justin Fields nine times. The nine sacks matched Fields’ total number of completions in the game. Despite a late push from the Jets, the Broncos’ defense held firm and sealed the victory with a decisive fourth-down sack in the closing minutes.
Defensive Dominance Defines Denver’s Performance
Denver’s defense proved to be the star of the game, completely stifling the Jets’ offense and limiting Fields to just 45 passing yards. Running back Breece Hall managed 59 yards on the ground, but New York’s attack never found rhythm.
After the game, Nix praised his defensive teammates, calling their effort “almost impossible” and commending their relentless pressure. Though the Broncos are still looking to generate more turnovers, their nine sacks effectively shut down New York’s offensive drives and highlighted the team’s growing defensive identity.
Broncos’ Defense Shines as Denver Outlasts Jets 13-11 in London Showdown
Despite the win, Denver’s offense started slowly, turning the ball over on its opening drive when Jets cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. forced a fumble recovered by Andre Cisco. The Jets capitalized with a 52-yard Nick Folk field goal, marking their first forced turnover of the season.
Both teams traded long field goals early, with Denver tying the game through a 57-yard kick before Folk added another after a 72-yard kickoff return by Kene Nwangwu. Nix later connected with tight end Nate Adkins for a 16-yard touchdown at the end of the first quarter, putting the Broncos ahead 10-6.
The Jets struggled to move the ball and failed to record a first down until late in the second quarter. They briefly showed improvement after halftime, cutting the deficit to one point with another Folk field goal. A Denver holding penalty in their own end zone later handed the Jets two points on a safety, giving New York a narrow one-point lead. However, their momentum quickly faded as the Broncos regrouped and began to regain control of the game.
In the final minutes, a Lutz field goal restored Denver’s lead, and the defense once again stepped up in the clutch. Jonathon Cooper and Brandon Jones combined for a game-sealing sack on Fields, allowing Nix to kneel out the clock. The win improved Denver’s record to 4-2, while the Jets dropped to 0-6 and remain the NFL’s only winless team. Head coach Aaron Glenn is still searching for his first victory, while the Broncos return home from London buoyed by their dominant defensive showing and growing confidence.
The Denver Broncos’ offseason began with coach Sean Payton immediately emphasizing his search for a “joker,” a versatile player who can play both as a runner and receiver. This hybrid player can break tackles after the catch and is used in different formations. Payton talks often about the joker position and its importance to his offense.
However, Payton has not had a player like that in his first two seasons with the Broncos, despite being used to such players during his 15 years in New Orleans.
“I know how much it can help. … I didn’t really appreciate it at the time,” Payton said. “We went through a stretch of 15 or 16 seasons with real, real high-end offenses that maybe didn’t have a receiver get to a Pro Bowl, but those other spots did.”
Payton traces the joker position back to his time as an assistant coach and playcaller with the Giants and Cowboys, where he had tight ends Jeremy Shockey and Jason Witten. In New Orleans, the joker took many forms, from tight ends like Shockey and Jimmy Graham to running backs such as Darren Sproles, Reggie Bush, and Alvin Kamara.
In each case, the joker was a dynamic player who could do many different things and was especially important on third downs and against tougher defenses. Payton is hoping to improve the Broncos in these areas.
This season, the Broncos had the third-most three-and-out possessions (26.3%). They were 13th in third-down conversions and 17th in third-and-medium conversions (4-6 yards). Denver struggled against AFC playoff teams, averaging just 16.9 points per game and failing to score more than 16 points in five of seven games, including just one touchdown against the Bills in the 31-7 wild-card loss on January 12.
“We definitely have to score more than seven points in these tough games,” rookie quarterback Bo Nix said. “We went to Baltimore and only scored 10, scored seven [against the Bills]. So there are certain things where it all comes down to execution and scoring more points.”
The Broncos tried to create joker-like plays by involving running backs in the passing game. Javonte Williams finished second on the team with 52 receptions, while Jaleel McLaughlin had 24. However, they only combined for two receiving touchdowns and averaged less than seven yards per catch (6.7 for Williams and 3.2 for McLaughlin).
Denver Broncos players celebrate after a play
Limited tight-end productions
Lucas Krull led the group with 19 catches, but the tight ends had seven games without a 10-yard reception.
“I think in our league when you look around … you’ll always remember [tight end Travis] Kelce with the Chiefs, I don’t know that you’ll remember the receivers sometimes,” Payton said. “Do I think we have some candidates [to be a joker]? Yes. That inner triangle of attacking a defense is really important.”
Payton had hoped tight end Greg Dulcich, a third-round pick in 2022, could be that player who could attack defenses and challenge linebackers and safeties in coverage. However, Dulcich struggled with hamstring injuries and was inactive for eight games this season before being waived on November 25. He’s now with the Giants.
Wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. is the closest player on the Broncos’ roster to the joker role Payton desires. Mims, who was named an All-Pro as a returner, began lining up in the backfield more as the season went on and had two 100-yard receiving games in the last month. He averaged more than 20 yards per catch in three of the final six regular-season games.
But Mims, at 5-foot-11 and 182 pounds, doesn’t have the size or the tackle-breaking ability in traffic that Payton typically looks for in a joker.
This means the Broncos may look to the draft to find a joker who can help Nix, who had 29 passing touchdowns, the second-most ever by a rookie quarterback.
Tight ends like Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland could be targets for Denver at pick No. 20. They may also consider running backs with strong receiving skills, like Kansas’ Devin Neal or Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo, later in the draft.
“We’ll go through that process, and we’ll look closely at what we think we still need, what we have to have and then what we want to have,” Payton said. “That only comes after evaluating our own roster. We’re just not there yet.”
The Denver Broncos, once one of the NFL’s most dominant franchises, are struggling to maintain a loyal and engaged fan base.
The team’s long history of success has made them a cornerstone of Denver’s identity, but recent seasons have seen a steady decline in attendance, TV ratings, and general enthusiasm among their supporters. So, what happened to the Broncos’ fan base?
A Decline in Team Performance
The most obvious reason behind the waning support for the Denver Broncos is their performance on the field.
For nearly a decade, the team has failed to consistently compete for championships. The team’s last Super Bowl appearance came in 2015, when they defeated the Carolina Panthers. That victory, behind the legendary Peyton Manning, seemed to signal the end of an era.
However, after Manning’s retirement, the Broncos began to flounder. Their quarterback carousel, which saw a parade of players including Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Case Keenum, and Drew Lock, was a clear sign of instability.
The inability to find a consistent and elite quarterback has plagued the franchise and left fans disillusioned.
Football, perhaps more than any other sport, is a quarterback-driven game, and without a reliable leader at the helm, it’s hard to generate consistent success.
In the years following Manning’s departure, the Broncos’ performance dipped sharply. Even with a strong defense, the offense remained ineffective.
Fans began to lose hope, as the team struggled to stay competitive within a tough AFC West division. This underperformance caused frustration to grow, and many fans found themselves tuning out, with little hope of immediate improvement.
Front Office Instability
Behind every successful football team, a strong and coherent management team is essential. Unfortunately for the Broncos, they have faced significant instability at the front office level in recent years.
The hiring and firing of multiple head coaches, including Vance Joseph and Vic Fangio, made it clear that the team was struggling to find a leader who could take them to the promised land.
The 2022 season brought a glimmer of hope when the Broncos hired Nathaniel Hackett, but this quickly turned to disappointment after his tenure ended prematurely. The Broncos then brought in Sean Payton, a highly respected coach from the New Orleans Saints.
Sean Payton (NFL)
Though Payton’s resume provides optimism, the lack of continuity and rapid turnover in coaching staff has prevented the team from building the kind of consistency and culture that many successful franchises enjoy.
Furthermore, the ownership saga, which involved the sale of the team to a new group led by Rob Walton, has created a sense of uncertainty. The new owners’ approach to managing the franchise will take time to show results, and it’s clear that fans are growing impatient.
Fan Disconnection from the Team
With the Broncos’ struggles on the field and instability off it, many fans began to feel disconnected from the team.
During their glory years, the Broncos cultivated a passionate and loyal fan base. This loyalty has begun to wane as fans have found themselves less invested in a team that fails to excite or deliver.
Games that were once sold out are now seeing empty seats, and season ticket holders are abandoning their memberships in search of a more rewarding fan experience.
In addition to the underperformance on the field, there is also a sense that the Broncos are not doing enough to connect with their fan base.
The team’s social media presence and community outreach have not matched the level of engagement seen in other successful franchises. In an era where fan loyalty can be nurtured through digital platforms and interactive fan experiences, the Broncos have lagged behind in cultivating a new generation of passionate followers.
Many long-time supporters of the team have simply moved on, especially with the rise of other entertainment options.
Fans are often more inclined to invest their time in teams that seem to be making strides toward success. With the Broncos stuck in a cycle of mediocrity, it has been hard to build momentum for fan support.
Competing in a Crowded Sports Market
The Denver sports market is also increasingly crowded. While the Broncos were once the undisputed kings of sports in Denver, the rise of other local teams, including the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche, has shifted some attention away from football.
Denver Broncos players celebrate after a play
Both the Nuggets and Avalanche have experienced success in recent years, with the Nuggets winning the NBA championship in 2023 and the Avalanche capturing the Stanley Cup in 2022.
As a result, fans have started to invest more in these teams, and the Broncos are now fighting for attention in an already competitive market.
Moreover, the rise of fantasy sports, sports betting, and streaming platforms has changed the way fans engage with teams. Many viewers no longer watch games with the same level of devotion as they did in the past.
Instead, they’re more likely to tune in to specific matchups or individual players rather than supporting a team from start to finish. The Broncos’ inability to maintain a strong team performance makes it harder to retain these casual fans.
Moving Forward
While the Broncos’ fan base may be shrinking, all hope is not lost. The team still has a dedicated group of supporters who continue to show up in the face of adversity. If the front office can secure the right coach and quarterback combination, and the team can start winning again, there is potential to reignite the fan base.
Rebuilding a culture of success will take time, but history shows that Denver fans are incredibly loyal when the team is competitive.
The road back to relevance for the Broncos may be long, but with the right leadership, it’s possible to rebuild a passionate and committed fan base.
For now, the team must focus on improving both on the field and in its connection with the Denver community to ensure that its legacy remains intact.
As the Denver Broncos reflect on the 2024 season, they have already drawn at least one key conclusion: They have found their quarterback for both the present and the future in Bo Nix.
The Broncos broke an eight-year playoff drought, finishing with a 10-7 record. However, their season ended in a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in an AFC wild-card game, showing how much more work is still needed. Despite this, those involved are confident that selecting Nix with the 12th pick in the 2024 draft and starting him from day one was the right decision.
“I know this, he’s very conscientious. … I think it’s all in front of him,” said Broncos coach Sean Payton on Wednesday. “I’ve said this before, I think we’ve found that player that can lead us and be what we need relative to having the success that we’re used to having. I think we found him.”
Nix faced the typical struggles of a rookie quarterback, but his performance was impressive. He threw 29 touchdown passes, ranking second in rookie history for touchdowns, just behind Justin Herbert’s 31 in 2020. Nix was also one of five rookies in NFL history to throw for at least 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns in their first season.
The 24-year-old has already shown leadership in the few days following the team’s playoff loss.
“I had a good visit with him [Tuesday],” Payton said. “There are things he’s going to look at and grow from and build on, whether it’s third-down snaps or pressure snaps, but I’m real encouraged; I’m glad that he’s with us and it worked out the way it did. I know he’s going to be here quite a bit.”
“He never flinched; we’d be behind in games, we always came back, we didn’t always win them, but you’re always looking for that ‘it’ factor,” said Broncos general manager George Paton. “He’s been here, you’re like ‘Bo, you’ve got to take a break,’ [but] he’s here today, he was here yesterday.”
Sean Payton speaks in a press conference
The Broncos’ top decision-makers, including owner/CEO Greg Penner, are aware that the AFC playoff race will be heavily influenced by the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs, who have been the AFC’s top seed and won the AFC West title for the last nine years, along with their star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, will be a major factor in how the Broncos approach the offseason.
When Penner was asked whether the Broncos’ goal to be more competitive in the AFC postseason starts with improving in their division, which is dominated by Mahomes and the Chiefs, he responded, “Absolutely.”
“Yeah, we could have very easily been 2-0 against the Chiefs this year, and our absolute goal next year is to win our division,” Penner added.
The Broncos played and lost to three of the remaining four AFC teams, including a 41-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, a 16-14 loss to the Chiefs, and the loss to the Bills in the wild-card round. Payton was asked whether there is still a gap between the Broncos and those teams.
“I’m telling you what, I didn’t see a gap last weekend until the second half [the Broncos trailed the Bills 13-7 late in the third quarter], and then you see a gap because you’re losing,” Payton said. “But I felt real confident we could go in there and win. Obviously, we didn’t play well enough, but those lines are much finer than we think.”
“It’s a player, it’s two players, it’s line of scrimmage,” Payton added. “And it starts with the division. There’s a lot of confidence in this team if we could get past [Buffalo in the wild card], the next one we had to play [in Kansas City] we felt really good about.
Obviously, we’re still not there yet, but we’re a lot closer than we were at this time a year ago – that was misery, sorrow, drudgery – gimme some other adjectives – that was brutal, let’s say that.”
Denver Broncos players celebrates after an interception
Just two days after Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said he would start evaluating what changes needed to be made in the offseason, he made his first move with his coaching staff.
Sources confirmed on Friday morning that Payton has fired special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica. Kotwica was hired by Payton last year, along with Mike Westhoff, to manage the special teams unit. Westhoff, who had worked with Kotwica before with the New York Jets, retired earlier this year due to health concerns.
Special teams assistant Chris Banjo, who had played for Payton with the New Orleans Saints, will stay on the coaching staff.
The Broncos (10-8) led the league in punt returns this season with an average of 15.7 yards per return. Marvin Mims Jr. earned an All-Pro selection as a returner, and kicker Wil Lutz tied Jason Elam for the franchise’s single-season field goal record with 31 successful attempts.
However, in addition to Westhoff’s retirement, two major special teams mistakes stood out, especially in crucial AFC West losses, which overshadowed the Broncos’ special teams performance.
The first was a blocked field goal in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 10. The Broncos were trailing 16-14 with time running out when the Chiefs blocked a 35-yard field goal attempt by Lutz. The Chiefs had previously found a weakness in the Broncos’ line and overloaded the left side.
Denver Broncos running backs, from left, Samaje Perine, Tyler Badie and Javonte Williams take part in drills during NFL football practice
Several Kansas City defenders managed to push Alex Forsyth over, allowing linebacker Leo Chenal to block the kick, which ultimately preserved the Chiefs’ win at Arrowhead Stadium.
The day after the game, Payton addressed the mistake and said, “This isn’t on one player … this is on all of us. This is on us as coaches.” The Broncos made adjustments to their formation, swapping Forsyth with reserve tackle Matt Peart, and Lutz went on to make 41 of his next 42 field-goal and extra-point attempts. Lutz did miss a 50-yard field goal in the Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The second significant special teams error came in the Broncos’ December 19 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Near the end of the first half, cornerback Tremon Smith was called for fair-catch interference after he bumped into Chargers punt returner Derius Davis.
As a result of the penalty, the Chargers were given a free kick, and Los Angeles kicker Cameron Dicker made a 57-yard field goal to end the half. The kick cut the Broncos’ lead to 21-13, and the Chargers gained momentum, eventually winning the game 34-27.
Kotwica, who served in the Army and flew helicopters during missions in Iraq, Bosnia, and Korea, has been an NFL coach for 17 seasons.
The Denver Broncos’ 10-7 record and playoff appearance brought relief after eight years without postseason action. The team saw a strong debut from rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The defense also performed well, leading the NFL with 63 sacks.
However, their 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round exposed the gap between the Broncos and top teams in the AFC. Coach Sean Payton acknowledged this after the game, saying, “We need to have a good offseason.”
As the Broncos look ahead to the offseason, here are the major questions they face.
How should we view the Broncos’ 2024 season? And what was the biggest surprise?
Ending their playoff drought made the season feel successful. After a rough 0-2 start, the Broncos won nine of their next 12 games, setting themselves up to need just one win in the final three games to secure a playoff spot.
They did that, earning their first postseason berth since their Super Bowl 50 victory in 2015. The team finished well above the 6.6 wins that ESPN’s Football Power Index projected for them in the preseason.
Despite that, the Broncos struggled against top teams. Only two of their 10 wins came against playoff teams, and one of those was in Week 18 against a Chiefs team that rested their regular players for the playoffs. The other win over a playoff team was against the NFC South champion Buccaneers in Week 3.
When looking deeper, six of the Broncos’ 10 wins came against teams ranked in the bottom 10 of the league. They also had trouble against the AFC’s top quarterbacks, with an 0-6 record (including playoffs) when facing Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Josh Allen. However, the team did show improvement by winning games they were expected to win.
The biggest surprise was that Payton couldn’t find a consistent run game despite his playcalling experience. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Broncos were 24th in the league for rushing yards over expected per play (-0.06) and had trouble finding a reliable running back.
Five different players led the team in rushing yards during games, and top back Javonte Williams finished with just 513 yards. This forced Nix to throw the ball more, as he finished sixth in the NFL with 567 pass attempts, more than other top quarterbacks like Herbert, Allen, and Jackson. Payton often mentioned that a solid run game would benefit Nix, but that never materialized.
Bo Nix talks in the news conference
Where do the Broncos stand in the AFC hierarchy after the playoff breakthrough?
While the season was a big improvement, the Broncos still face a major challenge in the AFC West: Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs’ star quarterback, a two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP, has led the Chiefs to a 13-1 record against the Broncos in games he’s started, and he’s only 29 years old.
This roadblock isn’t likely to go away soon. The Broncos were also swept by Herbert and the Chargers, so they have plenty of work ahead in their own division to compete in the AFC.
“One of the things we learned early on is we’ve got to find a way to play these [playoff] games at home,” Payton said after the Buffalo loss. “That’s another thing that’s at work.”
The Broncos have pulled ahead of the rebuilding Raiders, but until they can start beating the Chargers and Chiefs, they will remain in third place in the AFC West.
“We know the way you get home games [in the playoffs] is to win your division,” said wide receiver Courtland Sutton.
What’s next for Nix’s development?
During his rookie season, Bo Nix showed impressive self-awareness and took responsibility for both the good and the bad. He was quick to acknowledge his mistakes and successes.
When asked about areas to improve, Nix pointed to the red zone and third downs. “Those are the most important parts of the game,” he said. “I feel like the red zone and third down areas are where I can make growth, be a little bit more aware of certain situations.”
What to know for the NFL offseason:
Team-by-team offseason guide (ESPN+)
Ranking the top 25 free agents (ESPN+)
Draft order | Reid’s mock draft (ESPN+)
Coaching hires | Free agency | Draft
The Broncos had the third-highest percentage of three-and-out possessions in the league (26.3%), only behind the 3-14 Giants and 5-12 Panthers. Despite ranking seventh in red zone efficiency, scoring touchdowns 62.5% of the time inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, the Broncos struggled with short possessions that left their offense inconsistent.
This issue wasn’t just on Nix. The running game struggles also contributed to the three-and-outs. Accuracy and footwork were occasional problems. Nix had a QBR of 56.9 (18th in the NFL) despite having one of the best pass-blocking offensive lines in the league.
His in-pocket QBR of 53.9 ranked 23rd in the NFL. This is understandable for a rookie QB in an offense that lacked a reliable tight end and had only one wide receiver, Courtland Sutton, with more than 41 receptions. Nix needs more support to succeed.
Who might not be back in 2025?
It’s still unclear how many changes Coach Sean Payton will make to his staff. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph interviewed for the Jets’ head coach job and is being considered for other head-coaching openings. While Joseph has said he enjoys coaching the Broncos’ defense and isn’t seeking another head coach position, he also hopes the right opportunity will come along.
Quarterbacks coach Davis Webb is another person to watch, as he’s being considered for other positions in the league. Webb may want to leave for a job with more play-calling responsibilities, so it will be interesting to see how Payton handles any interviews or offers for Webb.
The list of pending free agents includes key players like running back Javonte Williams, defensive tackle D.J. Jones, and both starting inside linebackers Cody Barton and Justin Strnad. Backup quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson are also set to be unrestricted free agents.
What are some of the biggest offseason priorities?
One of the Broncos’ top priorities is finding Payton’s “joker,” a versatile player like Alvin Kamara, Reggie Bush, or Darren Sproles, who could play both running back and receiver. The team needs to focus on adding skill-position players at running back, receiver, and tight end to support Nix’s development and make the most of their strong, veteran offensive line.
However, the Broncos still have salary cap issues. They have $33.4 million in dead money for 2025, the third-most in the NFL, with $32 million from the release of quarterback Russell Wilson in March. How they manage this money could determine if their playoff appearance was a brief moment or the start of sustained success.
Alvin Kamara (NFL)
To create cap room in 2024, the Broncos added voidable years to several expensive contracts, allowing them to have $61 million in cap space for 2025, which is the eighth-highest in the league.
In 2024, the Broncos were aggressive with extensions, signing All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II, All-Pro guard Quinn Meinerz, outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper, and offensive tackle Garett Bolles to four-year deals. The team could continue this trend in 2025, with edge rusher Nik Bonitto as a priority.
Nik Bonitto had 13.5 sacks in 2024 and could be the next Broncos player to receive a long-term extension. He broke out in his third season, setting a franchise record for sacks. He was selected for his first Pro Bowl and named second-team All-Pro. Bonitto is entering the final season of his rookie contract, and the Broncos will likely need to offer him a top deal to prevent him from hitting free agency.
What positions could the Broncos target in the draft?
Payton is committed to developing Nix and has already strengthened the offensive line, so the next step is adding help around the young quarterback. Skill positions will be a focus in the draft, especially tight end, as the Broncos’ leading tight end, Adam Trautman, only had 13 receptions for 188 yards and two touchdowns.
Inside linebacker is another position to watch, even with the expected return of Alex Singleton, who tore his ACL in Week 3. The team may also look to improve at safety. Opposing offenses took advantage of the Broncos’ nickel defense, especially during the Bills’ 210 rushing yards and 41:43 time of possession in the wild-card loss.
The Denver Broncos ended their long playoff absence and found a quarterback to build around this season, even with an NFL record $91 million in dead cap charges. With more salary cap space in 2025, a strong team atmosphere with no “prima donnas” — as quarterback Bo Nix described — and a young roster that earned five All-Pro selections, the Broncos feel ready to challenge Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs for dominance in the AFC West.
“Absolutely, yeah, we could very easily have been 2-0 against the Chiefs this year and our absolute goal next year is to win our division,” team owner Greg Penner said during the Broncos’ end-of-season press conference.
The Chiefs (15-2) have dominated the division since 2016 and are aiming for their third consecutive Super Bowl title and their fourth Lombardi Trophy since Mahomes became their starter.
The Broncos (10-8) split their games with the Chiefs this season. They lost 16-14 in Week 10 after Kansas City blocked a last-second field goal but won 38-0 in Week 18 when the Chiefs played their backups, securing the Broncos’ first playoff appearance since 2015.
The Broncos’ loss to Buffalo last weekend ended hopes for a third game against the Chiefs, one the Broncos believed they had a good chance to win.
“We’re not looking backwards, we’re looking ahead,” head coach Sean Payton said. “And it starts with the division. There’s a lot of confidence in this team. If we could get past that game (at Buffalo), the next game we had to play (at Kansas City) we felt real good about.
Bo Nix throws a pass in the 1st half
And so we’re still not there yet — and yet we’re a lot closer than we were at this time a year ago. That was misery, sorrow, trudgery, give me some more adjectives there. That was brutal, I’ll say that.”
Mahomes is clearly in the Broncos’ sights as they reflect on their improved season and look toward 2025, when they will have only $32.25 million in dead cap charges, mostly from the remainder of Russell Wilson’s contract.
The Broncos plan to build around Nix and add players who align with the team’s chemistry, which thrived this season.
“I think Bo talking about no prima donnas is a great testament to what Sean is building here,” Penner said. “We want to be a winning culture, you’ve got to have really high expectations and everybody’s got to be in it together and I don’t think prima donnas would do real well right now here in this culture.
So, we’re going to continue to build this way. We want guys who are incredibly competitive and want to work and want to succeed.”
Payton had mixed feelings about the Broncos’ season, saying, “There were a lot of positives to build on and yet it’s still disappointing to finish the way we did,” referring to the 31-7 loss to the Bills and noting that the Broncos didn’t play up to their potential.
“I didn’t see a gap last weekend until the second half,” Payton said. “I felt real confident we could go in there, play well and win. We obviously didn’t play well enough. But those lines are much finer than we think. I use that term, there’s a fine line between a groove and a run. It’s a player. It’s two players. It’s the line of scrimmage. It’s the kicking game.”
General manager George Paton said the Broncos have only scratched the surface by ending their playoff drought.
“The beauty of going to the playoffs and seeing what it looks like is seeing how close we are, how far we are,” Paton said. “And that has to be our standard moving forward. We have to go to the playoffs. You’re going to play teams like the Bills, the Ravens, the Chiefs and so how do we get there? And so that’s really our goal this whole offseason is trying to find that secret sauce.”
Sean Payton talks to Julian Mapp in the 1st half
Roster needs
The Broncos could improve by adding players at running back, tight end, and wide receiver to make a bigger jump in 2025. However, head coach Sean Payton said, “I’m not ready to give you our must-needs and wants.” He did mention that he prefers sharing running back duties between two players instead of three, as he did in 2025.
Healthy roster
After the 2022 season, when the Broncos missed 134 total games due to injuries, the team revamped their medical and strength training programs. For the second consecutive season, they’ve been one of the healthiest teams in the league.
“Now, your players are wanting to be here for the recovery,” Payton said. “They want to be here for the offseason, they want to be here lifting, they want to be here. They’re not all disappearing to the satellite private workout expert facilities that are supposedly (better).”
“They’re staying here and there’s more than a year of proof. There’s two years of proof. When you have 134 games missed because of injury, something’s wrong. And then when you have 30-something two years in a row, something’s right.”
Mixed emotions filled the Denver Broncos’ locker room on Monday after they ended their playoff drought, only to suffer a big loss in Buffalo.
“This year was good but not good enough,” said All-Pro right guard Quinn Meinerz, as he and his teammates packed up for a later-than-usual offseason that came earlier than expected.
The Broncos (10-8) finally found their quarterback in Bo Nix, who led them to the playoffs for the first time since the 2015 season. Nix also became the first rookie QB to start a playoff game in the team’s history.
After jumping out to a 7-0 lead with Nix’s 43-yard touchdown throw to Troy Franklin, the Broncos’ lack of a strong running game, limited tight ends, and lack of support around receiver Courtland Sutton became clear in their 31-7 loss.
“We got smacked right in our faces,” said left tackle Garett Bolles, who is determined to use the tough loss as motivation for 2025.
The Broncos had the most sacks in the NFL this season, with a franchise-record 63, but they only managed to sack Josh Allen twice. The Bills rushed for 210 yards, led by James Cook’s 120 yards.
“One of the things we learned early on is we got to find a way to play these games at home,” said coach Sean Payton.
This means the Broncos need to overcome the Kansas City Chiefs, who have won nine straight division titles. The Chiefs (15-2) are only three wins away from a Super Bowl three-peat.
However, the Broncos were close to sweeping the Chiefs this season. They lost 16-14 in Week 10 due to a blocked field goal as time expired. After that game, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes told Payton, “You got one,” referring to Denver finally having a franchise QB.
Patrick Mahomes watches the game in the 2nd half
“We were in all those games, every single one of them,” Bolles said of the Broncos’ 3-3 division record. “None of them were blowouts. I think we’re right there. I think we need to get some more playmakers.”
The Broncos easily defeated the Chiefs 38-0 in Week 18, with Nix playing his best game to secure their playoff spot for the first time since winning the Super Bowl after the 2015 season.
Tough man:
Nix’s impressive season became even more remarkable when he revealed he played through a transverse process fracture in his lumbar spine. He was injured in a game against the Raiders on November 24 but still managed to lead the team to a win over the Browns on December 2 before the Broncos’ bye week.
“I wasn’t going to miss my first Monday night game, so I got treatment on it and then we were fortunate to have an off week that next week and then it kind of went away after that,” Nix said.
Some of his offensive linemen praised Nix’s toughness.
“The dude’s phenomenal,” said Bolles. “Like I told you all year long, he’s not a rookie. You would think he’s a 10-year vet the way he acts, the way he’s composed, the way he leads our offense and leads this team.”
Nix, the sixth quarterback taken in the NFL draft, was one of only two rookie QBs — the other being Washington’s Jayden Daniels — to lead their teams into the playoffs.
Nix’s 29 touchdown passes were just two shy of Justin Herbert’s NFL rookie record.
Smart shoppers:
The Broncos made the playoffs despite having an NFL-record $89 million in dead cap charges in 2024, including $53 million from releasing quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson’s cap hit will drop to $32 million in 2025, and the Broncos are projected to have nearly $50 million in cap space in the spring of 2025.
Denver Broncos running backs, from left, Samaje Perine, Tyler Badie, and Javonte Williams take part in drills during NFL football practice
Star-studded roster:
Five Broncos were named AP All-Pros in 2024, the most since 1996. Cornerback Patrick Surtain, punt returner Marvin Mims Jr., and Meinerz were named first-team All-Pro. Edge rusher Nik Bonitto and defensive tackle Zach Allen made second-team All-Pro. Bonitto had a career-high 13 1/2 sacks, and Allen had a career-high 8 1/2 sacks, plus another 1 1/2 at Buffalo.
Terrific in the trenches:
The Broncos had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, with Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Meinerz, and Mike McGlinchey. Bolles (four years, $82 million) and Meinerz (four years, $72 million) signed extensions, while Powers (four years, $51.5 million) and McGlinchey (five years, $87.5 million) joined in free agency.
Farewell, VJ?
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who coached the Broncos from 2017-18, is interviewing for head coaching jobs with the Jets and Raiders.
“I would be the first one to stand on a table and say he deserves to be” a head coach again, linebacker Alex Singleton said. “But I don’t want him to leave Denver anytime soon.”
The Broncos were outplayed on Sunday, but their season should still be seen as a success. With low expectations after moving on from Russell Wilson and starting over with rookie quarterback Bo Nix, they reached 10 wins and made it to the playoffs, which is a big achievement after eight years away. Any Denver fan would have accepted that kind of season.
The Broncos finished five games behind the Chiefs, partly because of their dominant win over Kansas City’s backup players in Week 18. They came close to beating the Chiefs in November, but Kansas City was more consistent throughout the season.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have ruled the AFC West since he became the starter. The Chargers tied with them for the division but lost out on tiebreakers in 2018. Since then, no team has come closer to challenging for the division title except the Raiders in 2021, who finished two games behind the Chiefs.
Like the Chargers, the Broncos want to close the gap. So, what do they need to do to get there? And how did those issues show up in their loss to the Bills on Sunday? Here are two key things:
A more effective running game. While coach Sean Payton’s teams always like to pass when they trust their quarterback, the best versions of his Saints teams could run the ball well. Players like Reggie Bush and Alvin Kamara made highlight plays, but Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory also averaged over 4.5 yards per carry due to smart playcalling and good offensive line play.
The Broncos invested heavily in their offensive line this season, and it showed. Despite using different running backs, their run game never really came together. Denver’s running backs were ranked 25th in yards per carry over expectation.
Nix was good at scrambling and throwing screens and swing passes, which helped the run game, but when he wasn’t involved, the Broncos struggled to run the ball. On first-and-10, their backs ranked 30th in yards per carry and had only one run of 10 or more yards in 205 attempts.
Sean Payton talks in the post-news conference
Payton, who reminded himself to “RUN IT!!!” on his play sheet, didn’t get to run much against the Bills. Buffalo has a strong run defense, ranking fifth in success rate against the run. Denver’s three running backs only carried the ball 11 times for 28 yards. By the fourth quarter, the Broncos weren’t going to run much, but when you have zero first downs from your running backs, it’s hard to win.
The Broncos’ running backs are uncertain for the future. Javonte Williams is entering free agency, and he lost his starting role as the season went on. McLaughlin earned Payton’s trust but only had over 10 carries twice. Estime was inactive against the Bills. While Mims had success in the backfield, he is more of a gadget player than a regular running back.
Before the season, I wondered if Payton might try to bring in players like Kamara or Taysom Hill from New Orleans, but Kamara signed an extension, and Hill suffered an injury. The Broncos will likely look for a new top running back in the 2025 draft.
Better coverage at linebacker and safety. The Broncos had one of the best defenses this season, but when other teams succeeded, they usually targeted the linebackers and safeties in coverage. Denver ranked 25th in QBR allowed on throws to the middle of the field.
They were 15th in QBR allowed when quarterbacks used play-action, which places more pressure on linebackers and safeties. While this isn’t terrible, it shows that there’s room for improvement, especially for a defense that’s considered among the best in the league.
Against the Bills, Josh Allen had success targeting the middle of the field. He completed 7 out of 12 passes for 93 yards against this area. Even though Buffalo didn’t use play-action often, when they did, it worked. Allen threw for 202 yards with two touchdowns against the Broncos’ man-to-man defense. This highlights how even a great defense can be exploited by top quarterbacks and strong receiving groups.
Denver signed safety Brandon Jones last offseason, but they may look to upgrade over P.J. Locke in 2025. Starting linebackers Cody Barton (who replaced the injured Alex Singleton) and Singleton himself had struggles in coverage this season. Singleton will be entering the final year of his contract, and the Broncos might want to invest in a stronger linebacker.
Justin Strnad returned to defense after two years on special teams, but Denver may look to add more depth at linebacker. Improving coverage up the middle could be a key focus for the team next offseason.
Bo Nix’s first NFL playoff game started off well but ended in disappointment.
The Denver rookie quarterback threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to his former college teammate Troy Franklin on the first drive of Sunday’s wild-card playoff game. However, the Broncos didn’t score again and lost 31-7 to the Buffalo Bills.
“A lot to grow from, a lot to learn from,” Nix said.
If there is anything positive, the 24-year-old first-round pick now has something to build on after helping lead the Broncos to their first playoff appearance since their 2015 Super Bowl-winning season.
“I haven’t been in the league long enough to know how far off we are,” Nix said, noting his 29 touchdown passes were just two shy of the NFL rookie regular-season record. “I just know we competed against some really good teams this year.
Next year’s going to be a new year and we just got to go and compete like we did this year,” he added. “To make the playoffs was a special moment for this group. It’s something we can build off of. … Our goals are changing.”
Nix finished the game completing 13 of 22 passes for 144 yards and led the Broncos with 43 rushing yards, but was unable to keep the momentum going after the opening drive.
Denver’s offense managed just 154 yards on its last seven drives, four of which ended in punts, two failed on fourth down, and Wil Lutz missed a 50-yard field goal attempt that would have tied the game at 10 just before halftime.
Coach Sean Payton said the next step for the Broncos is to win the AFC West to secure home playoff games.
“We got beat today. Especially in the postseason, it’s always a bitter pill to swallow,” Payton said. “It’s got to fuel you and light a fire in the direction we need to go. One of the things we learned early on is we got to find a way to play these games at home.”
Bo Nix talks in the news conference
The Broncos now have a 2-7 record in the wild-card round, with all seven losses coming on the road. Denver has lost five straight road playoff games.
With the offense struggling, Denver’s defense had a hard time putting pressure on Josh Allen, sacking him just twice. The Broncos wore down as Buffalo had a 23-minute advantage in time of possession.
“We never really had an answer to stop their running game,” Payton said. “And when you’re playing a game like that, you’re not rushing the passer nearly as much as you’ve been accustomed to.”
The Broncos converted only 2 of 9 third downs against a Bills defense ranked 29th in that category.
One of those conversions came on the opening series when Nix found Courtland Sutton for a 19-yard gain on third-and-8, two plays before Nix connected with Franklin for the touchdown.
“You go to a new level, you get to the NFL, I expected it to be tough,” Nix said. “But I was pleased how at the end of the day, it’s just football.”
That’s the mindset Nix plans to take into his next playoff game.
“The biggest thing is that we can make all the hype we want about playoff football. But it’s just another game. It’s just another AFC game,” Nix said. “So I think in the future, it’s treat it like just another game, like it’s the next one on your schedule. You go out there and play.
There’s nothing different. There’s no special thing because it’s a playoff. It’s just a football game. That’s encouraging to know.”
The Kansas City Chiefs’ 38-0 loss to the Denver Broncos didn’t matter much, as they had already secured the top spot in the AFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs. However, the outcome impacted two AFC teams, one of which had unintentionally helped Kansas City in 2019.
The Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins both needed to win their Week 18 games and rely on the Chiefs beating Denver to make the playoffs. Miami would’ve qualified right away with a win over the New York Jets, while Cincinnati needed both the Broncos and Dolphins to lose. Despite the Bengals’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, they were still eliminated, along with Miami.
Although many Chiefs fans aren’t fond of the Bengals because of their rivalry, Miami showed support for Kansas City heading into Week 18. Former Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill even sent well wishes to Kansas City on New Year’s Eve.
When asked about possibly helping Miami with a victory over the Broncos during his press conference last Friday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said, “Yeah, I didn’t think of that – different head coach (2019 Dolphins).
Kansas City Chiefs holds the recovery ball in the 2nd half
I like both guys, but that’s a – I’m not trying to help anybody out; I’m just trying to go up and do well in the game, but I haven’t thought of that. I appreciate what they did. I sent them some great Kansas City steaks for doing that, yeah.”
The quarterback for the 2019 Dolphins team that upset the New England Patriots was Ryan Fitzpatrick, now an NFL Prime Video analyst. He reflected on that game with Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. before this season began.
“Every time I see a Chiefs fan, they come up to me and say something,” Fitzpatrick explained. “I’ve been in Kansas City a few times for Thursday night football or my cousin’s wedding, but Chiefs fans in general, in the airport, I get that quite a bit still. It was a great memory for me, and obviously one that Chiefs fans really appreciate and will always remember.”
Now, the Chiefs are focusing on the playoffs and are waiting for the winner of this weekend’s Wild Card Round.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Devaughn Vele had a highlight touchdown catch against the Chiefs
The Denver Broncos’ third touchdown of the first half was the most unusual one.
On a first-and-goal from the Chiefs’ 3-yard line, Bo Nix dropped back and tried to throw a pass to tight end Adam Trautman near the goalpost. However, Chiefs cornerback Nazeeh Johnson tipped the ball away, then tipped it again, and cornerback Keith Taylor got his hand on the ball a third time, knocking it slightly backward and back into the field of play.
Devaughn Vele, diving, managed to catch the ball just before it hit the ground. This play gave the Broncos a 21-0 lead with 11:05 remaining in the first half. It was Nix’s 28th touchdown pass of the season.
With their playoff hopes at stake, the Broncos turned to an inventive play for their opening touchdown.
Denver Broncos players celebrate after an interception in the 2nd half
Facing a Kansas City Chiefs defense with many backups on the field — as the Chiefs had already clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed and a playoff bye — the Broncos were on a first-and-10 from the Chiefs’ 32-yard line.
Quarterback Bo Nix took the snap, faked a handoff to running back Javonte Williams, and then faked a flip to wide receiver Troy Franklin, who was in motion behind him. Nix quickly turned to his right and tossed the ball to Marvin Mims Jr.
Mims ran untouched into the end zone for the score. The touchdown put the Broncos up 7-0 with 11 minutes and 55 seconds left in the first quarter. It was the first possession of the game, and Mims’ third touchdown in the last five quarters of play.
With this win, the Broncos secured the AFC’s seventh and final playoff spot.
