The Denver Broncos are trying to turn the page quickly after a 31-10 Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium exposed breakdowns across the roster and left the defending AFC West champions searching for answers.
Broncos face reset after lopsided Chiefs loss
Denver produced only 176 yards in Davis Webb’s first game calling the offense, its lowest single-game total under head coach Sean Payton. The Broncos had not finished with fewer yards since Week 16 of the 2021 season, when Drew Lock’s Denver offense managed 158 against the Raiders.
Bo Nix rarely appeared settled in the pocket and committed costly errors as the Broncos’ offense found rhythm on just one drive. Denver’s offensive line, viewed as a team strength entering the season, was also beaten repeatedly, particularly by Kansas City’s younger defenders.
The defense had an equally difficult night. Broncos defenders missed 28 tackles, allowing Kansas City to gain 247 yards after those missed opportunities. That is the highest yardage total attributed to missed tackles by a defense in a game since at least 2018, and eight Denver players missed more than one tackle. Kenneth Walker III powered through the unit as Kansas City controlled the game on the ground.
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey said the Broncos have to absorb the embarrassment, identify the causes and shift their focus to the next assignment.
“You have to accept what happened, learn from it and put it behind you after the meetings,” McGlinchey said Tuesday. “Then it is time to prepare for the next opponent.”
McGlinchey stressed that Denver cannot allow one poor performance to define its season. He said the team must remove the emotion from the result, study the situations that created its mistakes and make sure it does not repeat them.
“Every result gives you a chance to improve, whether you win or lose,” McGlinchey said. “If you are not learning and growing, you will not become successful. Leave the embarrassment behind and focus on the work we have to do.”
Webb’s first outing as play-caller will draw added scrutiny if the Broncos remain disjointed. Should the offense fail to recover, Payton could face increasing pressure to resume play-calling duties himself.
Denver’s schedule offers little room for an extended recovery. The Broncos next face the AFC South champion Jacksonville Jaguars, followed over the next five weeks by the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers and Seattle Seahawks.
SEO Title: Denver Broncos regroup after 31-10 Week 1 loss to Chiefs
SEO Description: The Broncos are looking to recover from a 31-10 defeat in Kansas City after managing 176 yards, missing 28 tackles and facing a difficult upcoming stretch.
