Gassers and a look ahead following the Broncos’ 34-28 loss to the Chiefs in Week 14 to fall to 3-10.
Offensive line
Rookie Luke Wattenberg made his first NFL start at left guard (for the injured Dalton Risner) but didn’t make it past the second quarter. Netane Muti replaced him, then Denver opened the second half with Quinn Bailey there. Muti came back in later in the third quarter. Meanwhile, the Broncos allowed six sacks for 49 yards, though a couple of those were on Russell Wilson for holding the ball too long.
Corliss Waitman
It’s clear that the Broncos’ preseason cost-saving move of cutting veteran Sam Martin and going with the relatively unproven Waitman was ill-advised. Waitman has been called upon a lot — he had an NFL-leading 72 punts coming into Week 14 — and has been marginal at best. That was the case again on Sunday, when his punts lacked hangtime and he had a 41.6 net average on seven punts.
Broncos defense
Yes, containing Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense is a tall task. And while the defense did force Mahomes into three interceptions — two of them by inside linebacker Josey Jewell — when the team need a stop on the Chiefs’ final drive in order to give backup Brett Rypien & Co. a chance to win the game, the D couldn’t get it. Kansas City got multiple first downs to kneel out the clock.
Up Next
vs Cardinals on Sunday, Dec. 18 at Empower Field, 2:05 p.m.
Record: 4-8
Week 14 result: at Patriots on Monday Night Football
Coach: Kliff Kingsbury (fourth season, 28-32-1)
About the Cardinals: Arizona lost four of its last five entering Week 14, a freefall underscoring their status as one of the NFC’s most disappointing teams this year. The Cardinals’ offense has been touch-and-go behind Kyler Murray, who has thrown 14 touchdowns to seven interceptions entering Monday’s primetime matchup against the Patriots. On defense, the Cardinals have playmakers up front but one of the weakest secondaries in the NFL.
