Broncos vs. Chiefs grades: Denver headed back to playoffs after dominant win
Bart Young
The Broncos clinched their first playoff berth since 2015 with a 38-0 win over Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.
Here are the grades from the victory:
Offense
The Broncos jumped on the Chiefs’ second-string defense from the start and never looked back. Rookie QB Bo Nix, who broke the franchise record for completion percentage in a game, had a career game when it mattered the most for Denver. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton surpassed 1,000 yards receiving for the second time in his career. Marvin Mims had another huge game with two touchdowns.
Grade: A
Defense
This group, which pitched a shutout, was never challenged as the Chiefs ran a vanilla gameplan on offense. The real task for a defense that has been up and down lately comes Sunday with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Grade: A
Special teams
Grade: A
Coaching
Sean Payton knew the stakes in this game and put together a great gameplan on offense. After some questionable calls the last couple games, Payton got his groove back. He won’t win it, but Payton should be considered for NFL Coach of the Year for getting this team with a giant salary cap hit to the postseason.
Grade: A
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