First Quarter
The Broncos started out with a play action pass to tight end Jeff Heuerman for a first down. The team did a great job of working their way down the field on the first drive.
Case Keenum threw a pass behind wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. The ball hit his hands but overall it was a tough pass to catch.
Keenum needs to be aware of his surroundings. Too often we see him stand still in the pocket while a defender is working his way towards him. He did this multiple times throughout the first quarter, including on the team’s very last offensive play of the quarter.
The Denver Broncos’ defense prevented Kansas City’s offense from scoring a touchdown on their first drive of the game. That was the first time this season the Chiefs did not get six points on the first drive of their games in 2018.
Left tackle Garett Bolles had another rough quarter. He allowed a sack to the Chiefs’ Justin Houston, and on the very next play was called for a holding penalty after he put a Chief on the ground.
Bolles is in his second year as the Broncos’ left tackle and he continues to show signs of struggling. This needs to change. Something needs to be done.
Denver was committed to the run game in the first quarter. Both Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay had a healthy dose of carries.
Denver held the Chiefs to just a field goal in the first quarter. However, the Chiefs did the same to Denver. It was 3-3 at the end of the first fifteen minutes.
Overall, I was happy with the outcome of the quarter. There were clearly things Denver had to work on though.