Broncos’ defense puts Chiefs in deep freeze

Tkansas city, mo. he defense rested at 10:26 p.m. Sunday night. The verdict was in before

Denver Post the trial was over.

Columnist It wasn’t a shutout by the Broncos, but the defense put the deep freeze on Kansas City. The Orange crushed the Chiefs, restrict

something to the Miami Dolphins a week ing and restraining them to ago.anot-so-grand total of 151 meager yards in their own With a similar symphony in Orange, the house. Broncos can win in San Diego and CincinThrough three quarters, the Chiefs had

nati, and even in New England and Glen66 yards on offense. It was rout 66. dale, Ariz.

Errorhead Stadium, which held the The offense and Peyton Manning have noise-decibel record briefly last season,

been the Broncos’ workhorses all season. was hushed up throughout, and it was The defense carried the heavy load again nearly empty midway through the fourth Sunday. quarter on the cold-as-ice, end-of-Novem

Here are some of the things the Broncos ber evening. did against the Chiefs:

The Broncos permitted just 16 points, Jamaal Charles, one of the premier runtheir lowest yield of the season.

ning backs in the NFL, was held to 35 yards Broncos coach John Fox said, “It’s only on 10 runs. K.C. wound up with 41 yards on fun when you win.” the hard ground. The Broncos are the best

Sunday night was fun for these Broncos. team in the league against the run. Ask Be aware of, and beware of, DeMarcus

around. Ware and this defense— which is missing Quarterback Alex Smith, who is known two cornerbacks and two linebackers, but for managing a game and scrambling when keep on playing remarkably well. John El

in trouble and rarely throwing an intercepway spent more than $100 million during tion, was picked off, was sacked six times, the offseason to improve the Broncos’ dewas held to 15 completions for 153 yards fense.

and most of those yards were meaningless He got his money’s worth Sunday night, late in the game. starting withWare and continuing with Smith did throw two touchdown passes, Win-where-why-what-and-Ward.

but seldom hurt the Broncos with his arm The Broncos’ Force Field has given up 17, and never with his legs. His long-gainer 20, 17, 17, 17, 21, 17, 22 and now 16 points in was five yards. nine games. Those numbers are right out Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe might as of the 1977 Broncos’ defensive playbook,

well have spent the night barbecuing in the when coordinator Joe Collier posted a big parking lot. Two receptions for 18 yards. “17’’ in the team meeting room, signifying The Chiefs were pathetic on offense, but the Broncos should not be lighted up for

Denver was the guilty party. more than that number. Here are some more things: The 2014 version allowed only 30The Chiefs were 1-of-9 on third down.

They had two rushing first downs. Smith