Chiefs’ scouting report: Broncos ended a weird 10-game losing streak on Sunday
The Broncos took a nine-point lead into halftime of their game Sunday against the Green Bay Packers at Empower Field at Mile High, and recent history suggested that wasn’t a good thing.
But despite coughing up the lead in the fourth quarter, the Broncos came back and won 19-17. That snapped an oddball streak, according to ESPN.
“The Broncos won after holding a halftime lead for the first time since 2021 Week 14,” ESPN wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Their 10 straight losses with a halftime lead entering Sunday was the longest streak in NFL history.”
Denver will be looking to end another losing streak Sunday. The Broncos have dropped 16 straight games against the Chiefs, including a 19-8 defeat on Oct. 12 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Each week, I take an early look at the Chiefs’ next opponent, and here is a quick scouting report of the Broncos, 2-5. Kickoff is at 3:25 p.m. on Sunday, and the game will air on CBS (Ch. 5 in Kansas City).
1. Improved defense
After allowing an average of 36.2 points per game through the first five games of the season, the Broncos have given up 36 total in their last two games. That opening stretch included the Dolphins’ 70-point effort against Denver.
However, the Broncos have given up an average of 360 yards in the last two games, and they are still last in yards allowed.
Denver’s opponents have piled up 164 first downs, which is the second-most allowed by a defense this season. Only Arizona (165) has yielded more, per Pro Football Reference.
2. Red zone issues
The Chiefs had lamented their troubles in the red zone the past few weeks, and the Broncos are also having their issues in that area.
Denver ranks 19th in red zone trips that ended with a touchdown (52.2%), according to Team Ranks. But in the Broncos’ last three games, that has dropped to 44.4%. On Sunday, they opened the game with three drives into the red zone and each ended with a field goal.
3. Watch the turnovers
Denver has had two or more turnovers in four of their seven games this season, and the Broncos have lost each of those contests.
That includes three turnovers against the Chiefs earlier this month at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Broncos are negative-four in turnover margin, but they’ve had at least one takeaway in each of their last four games.
4. Sutton’s improvement
After being called out by former Broncos star Mark Schlereth ahead of the Chiefs game in KC, wide receiver Courtland Sutton has played much better over Denver’s last two contests.
On Sunday, Sutton has six catches for 76 yards and a touchdown against the Packers. He also caught a touchdown pass in Kansas City and had 46 yards receiving (of 82 total passing yards for Denver’s Russell Wilson that night).
Sutton leads the Broncos in receptions (31), receiving yards (351), touchdown catches (five) and receptions that resulted in a first down (17).
5. Where there’s a Wil
Broncos kicker Wil Lutz missed a field-goal attempt and extra-point try in Denver’s season opener, but since then he’s been perfect.
Lutz has made each of his 11 field-goal attempts since the first game, including all four tries on Sunday. The big one was a 52-yard field goal with 3 minutes, 50 seconds remaining that won it for the Broncos.
He’s also converted all 11 extra-point tries since Week 1.
