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When he caught a 37- yard pass from quarterback Drew Lock on the Broncos’ third play at Kansas City, it felt like Sunday was going to be Noah Fant’s night.
That feeling was still present at halftime after Fant was targeted seven times and had four catches for 57 yards as the Broncos led 10- 9. But Fant wasn’t the targeted on any of Lock’s 13 secondhalf passes.
Coverage adjustments? Not getting open? Prioritizing other players? Regardless of the reason, the Broncos should continue focusing on involving Fant early and then often.
Look at Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce. He had three catches for 65 yards in the first half and five catches for 71 yards ( touchdown) in the second half. He was Patrick Mahomes’ target on 13 passes.
Lock’s first pass to Fant traveled 26 “air” yards and converted a third- and- 7. Fant also had two five- yard catches and a 10yard reception.
The Broncos also need to figure out why receiver Jerry Jeudy didn’t have a catch until the game’s final drive.
Here is the rest of our BroncosChiefs review:
Ollense
Playing time. Receiver Tim Patrick led the skill players with 59 out of 66 snaps, followed by Fant ( 54), Jeudy ( 49), receiver KJ Hamler ( 42), running back Melvin Gordon ( 35), tight end Nick Vannett ( 30) and running back Phillip Lindsay ( 26).
No sacks allowed. The Broncos allowed four knockdowns and three pressures of Lock, but no sacks. Kansas City rushed at least five on 14 of Lock’s 32 dropbacks ( 43.8%). Lock was 5- of- 11 passing for 73 yards, one touchdown and one interception against extra rushers.
Lindsay’s struggles. Lindsay carried 14 times for 26 yards ( long of four yards). The 1.9yard average was second- lowest of his career ( at least 10 carries). In 2018 against Cleveland, he gained 24 yards on 14 carries ( 1.7- yard average). The Broncos had eight “bad” run plays. Fant was booked for three “bad” run blocks.
Patrick’s touchdowns. Patrick’s two touchdown catches were well executed. On secondandgoal from the 5, Patrick started in the backfield and sprinted to the edge. Safety Daniel Sorenson initially reacted to Lock’s play- action, allowing Patrick — with help from a screen from Jeudy — to get open. On first- and- 10 from the 10, Patrick was wide left against cornerback Bashaud Breeland. It was a oneman route and Lock threw in 1.36 seconds to a location where only Patrick could catch it inbounds.
Aelense
Playing time. Safeties Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson and cornerbacks A. J. Bouye and Michael Ojemudia played all 64 snaps. Next were inside linebackers Alexander Johnson ( 61) and Josey Jewell ( 58) and outside linebackers Bradley Chubb ( 56) and Malik Reed ( 54). Defensive end Shelby Harris played 32 snaps after missing the previous four games.
Pressuring Mahomes. The Broncos rushed at least five players on 12 of Mahomes’ 44 drop- backs ( 27.3%) and he was 7- of- 11 passing for 75 yards against extra rushers. The Broncos had one sack, three knockdowns and three pressures for seven disruptions. Outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu got the sack in 4.06 seconds when he bull- rushed right tackle Mike Remmers, who then tripped over a teammate’s foot.
Bouye’s tough night. Instead of picking exclusively on Ojemudia, the Chiefs also went right after Bouye. In man coverage he was targeted six times and allowed three completions for 49 yards. He also missed two tackles.
Mahomes was 4- of- 6 for 52 yards against Ojemudia. Kelce caught a 28- yard pass against dime back Alijah Holder and a 20- yard gain against Jewell. The Broncos’ most effective pass defender was their line — Harris had two batted passes and DeShawn Williams one.
Missed calls. Officials missed two calls on the Chiefs’ second drive.
On first- and- 10, Kelce flinched before the snap, but the play
went on and Mahomes threw 20 yards to receiver Demarcus Robinson. Three plays later, on third- and- 4, Chubb got away with a neutral zone penalty. Mahomes threw incomplete and the Chiefs kicked a field goal.
S ecial teams
Costly penalty. Duke Dawson losing his cool cost the Broncos’ offense seven yards of field position in the fourth quarter. After a fair catch by Hamler, Dawson popped a Chiefs player for a penalty. Instead of starting from their 15, the Broncos started at their 8 and eventually punted.
Cleveland shows ability. Rookie Tyrie Cleveland may not be returning kicks once Diontae Spencer returns from the COVID- 19/ reserve list, but he’s done well. On Sunday, he had returns of 22, 31 and 24 yards. The Chiefs tested him and Cleveland showed good ability to find creases and also grind for extra yards.