Denver Broncos: The only way to go is up after loss to Chiefs

The Denver Broncos came up short against the Chiefs on Monday Night Football, but a formula has been revealed that Denver can utilize going forward.

The Denver Broncos’ 27-23 loss on Monday Night Football to the Chiefs will sting for quite some time. Following the game, Broncos Twitter blew up with a variety of angry tweets featuring emotionally loaded reactions. All of that is normal, but let’s not lose sight of what matters.

Despite the game slipping through the Broncos’ fingers, there were several gleaming positives that should give Broncos fans some optimism going forward.

Offensively, the Denver Broncos demonstrated more consistency than they’ve displayed in the previous three weeks. The run game for the Broncos was active, effective, and exciting to watch.

Both Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay carried much of the load combining for 136 yards rushing and one touchdown each.

Any time your offense nears 400 total yards of offense, the probability of a win is much higher, however, the Broncos went away from that late in the game.

The Good: Denver Broncos Formula

• Andy Janovich was a difference maker – utilize him more going forward
• Billy Turner played a clean game at RT for Jared Veldheer
• Feed Lindsay and Freeman more – 12 carries and eight carries for both of them respectively is not enough
• Bill Musgrave up in the coaches box allowed him to see things quicker and make necessary adjustments
• The defense can play man to man coverage after all

It’s important to note the impact Janovich had for the Broncos offense.

He saw an increase in snaps and was the engine that drove the Broncos’ offense down the field with his blocking and pass protection.

After Jared Veldheer (knee) left the game in the first quarter, Billy Turner stepped up and gave Case Keenum more time protecting against a talented speed rush.

The Broncos have to utilize the run game more than they did. Both Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman gashed the Chiefs defense for big yardage. 12 and eight carries for both of them is not enough.

The offense benefitted in my opinion from Bill Musgrave being in the box and being able to see what the Chiefs defense was doing. Overall, the Broncos were better offensively but didn’t convert when it mattered the most, late in the game.

Lastly, the Broncos secondary had a phenomenal game until late. They showed the world that they can and should play man to man coverage.

The Broncos’ defense in the final quarter reverted to a more conservative approach and it came back to haunt them.

The formula for the Broncos going forward is simple given the tools they have:

• Run the football early and often
• Maintain aggressive defensive playcalling with man to man coverage

The Broncos can develop an identity with these elements rather than reverting back to what has hindered them against teams in the last two seasons.