Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco (5) is sacked in the first quarter of the game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Oct. 17, 2019.
UP: Good to see CU Buffs coach Mel Tucker on the sidelines of Empower Field, hobnobbing with Kansas City head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator/CU alum Eric Bieniemy. Maybe Mel can get Bieniemy back in Boulder for Round 2? Do I have any takers? Anyone? Anyone?
DOWN: Penalty or not, going for two points six minutes into the first quarter is a little too aggressive for our tastes. Sure, the Broncos ought to be able to run for a yard anytime they want against the Chiefs, but why risk it that early?
UP: For the second time in three games, the Broncos scored a touchdown on their first drive of the game (and, yes, we’re well aware of the third-down facemask). How about that play-action dump-off to Andy Janovich? Daddy likes.
DOWN: Not a great second series for left tackle Garett Bolles, who started things off with a holding penalty and finished it by getting blown off the ball by KC defensive end Frank Clark for a sack. He was flagged again for holding later in the first half, one that saw the Broncos O-line give up six sacks before… well… you know.
UP: For the second straight game, Joe Flacco and Courtland Sutton hooked up on a 41-yard pass. Of the small number of positive developments to come from this season so far, the emergence of Sutton as a true deep threat is among the best.
DOWN: We have all the confidence in the world in Colby Wadman the punter. Colby Wadman the run-pass option threat? Not so much. Hopefully the Broncos keep that wrinkle — which failed miserably on fourth-and-4 in second quarter — in their pockets the rest of the season.
UP: Got to hand it to the Broncos fans, who let loose with some serious Bronx cheers after Thursday’s game devolved into a full-on fiasco in the second half. At least somebody in orange showed up at Mile High.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco (5) gets sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark (55) during the second quarter of the game of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Khalen Saunders (99) of the Kansas City Chiefs sucks oxygen against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco (5) gets sacked and fumbles the ball by Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Anthony Hitchens (53) for a Kansas City touchdown during the second quarter of the game on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 at Empower Field at Mile High.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco (5) walks off the field after being sacked and fumbling the ball by Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Anthony Hitchens (53) for a Kansas City touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver Post
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs the ball during the second quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver Post
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets tended to on the ground due to an injury during the second quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver Post
While Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is tended to for an injury, Denver Broncos strong safety Will Parks (34) yells to the sideline that he has a broken thumb during the second quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Matt Moore (8) of the Kansas City Chiefs fires a pass against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Joe Flacco (5) of the Denver Broncos fires a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Alex Okafor (97) of the Kansas City Chiefs forces a pass by Joe Flacco (5) of the Denver Broncos downfield to Noah Fant (87) who is covered by Morris Claiborne (20) during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Alex Okafor (97) of the Kansas City Chiefs sacks Joe Flacco (5) of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Frank Clark (55) of the Kansas City Chiefs forces fumble on Joe Flacco (5) of the Denver Broncos as Royce Freeman (28) recovers during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Phillip Lindsay (30) of the Denver Broncos is tripped up by Morris Claiborne (20) of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Derrick Nnadi (91) of the Kansas City Chiefs forces an incompletion by Joe Flacco (5) of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Mecole Hardman (17) of the Kansas City Chiefs beats Kareem Jackson (22) of the Denver Broncos for a touchdown reception during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Malik Reed (59) of the Denver Broncos tackles Damien Williams (26) of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Patrick Mahomes (15) of the Kansas City Chiefs throws agains the Denver Broncos during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
LeSean McCoy (25) of the Kansas City Chiefs runs against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Phillip Lindsay (30) of the Denver Broncos loses his helmet on a failed two-point conversion run against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Andy Janovich (32) of the Denver Broncos and Ronald Leary (65) lead a touchdown run by Royce Freeman (28) against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Joe Flacco (5) of the Denver Broncos makes a pre snap adjustment against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Ronald Leary (65) of the Denver Broncos and Connor McGovern (60) block Khalen Saunders (99) of the Kansas City Chiefs on a touchdown run by Royce Freeman (28) during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Joe Flacco (5) of the Denver Broncos throws as Tanoh Kpassagnon (92) of the Kansas City Chiefs defends during the first quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Royce Freeman (28) of the Denver Broncos is stopped by Damien Wilson (54) of the Kansas City Chiefs, Juan Thornhill (22) and Derrick Nnadi (91) during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Patrick Mahomes (15) of the Kansas City Chiefs prepares to take the field before the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs awaits the start of action before the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Patrick Mahomes (15) of the Kansas City Chiefs prepares to take the field against the Denver Broncos before the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile high in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Emmanuel Sanders (10) of the Denver Broncos is introduced before the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver Post
Ruben Martinez, of Westminster, points to the sky during the National Anthem and the flyover prior to the start of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. The Denver Broncos hosted the Kansas City Chiefs for the game.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver Post
Broncos and Chiefs fans queue up as they head into the stadium prior to the start of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos parachute team Thunderstorm head into the stadium prior to the start of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver Post
Broncos fan Richard Edington and Chiefs fan Jeanette Rice, both of Omaha, head to their seats prior to the start of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. The Denver Broncos hosted the Kansas City Chiefs for the game.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Bill Holsopple, of Denver, is ready for the game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High on Oct. 17, 2019.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Christine Rubick, of Windsor, is dressed and ready for the game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Oct. 17, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver Post
Broncos fan Steve Gonzales yells to Chiefs fans prior to the start of the NFL match up at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. The Denver Broncos hosted the Kansas City Chiefs for the game.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver Post
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Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco (5) gets sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark (55) during the second quarter of the game of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
DOWN: The ball security from Joe Flacco on Anthony Hitchens’ strip-sack touchdown could’ve been better. A lot better. And, yes, the Broncos (Phillip Lindsay included) need to do a better job picking up that blitz, too. (Which could said about the many other sacks Denver gave up.)
UP: What an inspiring halftime celebration from the Broncos, who who have collectively survived 30-plus types of cancer. Toughest people in the stadium, hands down.
DOWN: There may be separation in preparation, but Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker surely could’ve waited a few minutes before crashing said halftime celebration to warm up for the second half. Let these people have their moment.
