ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — For rookie quarterback Bo Nix, each week is an opportunity to grow.
"There's still so many learning moments for him," Head Coach Sean Payton said Wednesday. "In other words, each week is another class for another test, and I like the way he's progressing. I like the poise after each series and after the game [against Baltimore]. You feel his maturity."
As the Broncos cross the halfway point of the 2024 season, Denver's Week 10 matchup vs. the Chiefs may feel like a midterm exam.
Nix and the Broncos' offense will battle the Steve Spagnuolo-led Chiefs defense, which ranks first in the NFL in scoring defense since 2023. Dating back to the start of 2023, Kansas City has allowed fewer than 28 points in 29 consecutive games, which matches the 2005-07 Ravens for the longest streak in 17 seasons.
"They game plan really well," wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. "They do a really good job of finding your strengths and weaknesses and trying to exploit them. It's something that we have to know and be aware of, especially with us having a rookie quarterback. They're going to try and test him and just see how much film is he watching and [ask], how prepared is he going to be? I have no lack of faith [in] Bo being prepared, this offense being prepared, this defense being prepared and everyone being prepared to go in and take care of business."
Nix has tallied 12 total touchdowns and two interceptions since Week 3, and he said he's eager for the test against a talented Kansas City defense.
"I think it's a good challenge for us, a good opportunity for us," Nix said. "Obviously, they have a great defense. They're playing at a really high level this year [and] have in the past couple of years. It's exciting for us."
In their visit to Arrowhead, Payton said he expects the Chiefs to apply pressure — and it won't solely come when the offense has to move the sticks.
"They're going to apply pressure," Payton said. "It's not just going to be on third down. … They've played [with] really good technique; they're smart; they're near the top of the league in giving up explosives. Sometimes when you're trying to apply pressure, you might get hit for the big play, but these guys are extremely well coached, and they're a challenge."
When facing a defense that brings pressure, Payton said the Broncos can aim to "calm it down" through both their formations and play design. Offensive Coordinator Joe Lombardi also said tempo can potentially help the Broncos find solutions on offense.
"[With] tempo, you're just trying to, one, maybe limit their substitutions," Lombardi said Thursday. "Every team has a third-down package, and sometimes it's a third-down personnel group. So if you can keep your second-down group on the field, maybe there's less they can do. And just cut down the time they have to communicate. … Kansas City, you can see they've got the ability to do a lot of stuff even when you're [using tempo]. So [it] doesn't solve every problem, but [it] just [helps] put the pressure on the defense where they don't have as much time to orchestrate whatever their third-down plan is."
'IT'S A RUN-FIRST TEAM NOW'
As the Broncos' offensive staff prepares for a stiff challenge, Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph has his own plan to perfect for Sunday.
While Patrick Mahomes has recorded a career-high completion percentage and ranks second in the NFL in fourth-quarter passer rating, Joseph sees a Chiefs team built around the running game.
Through Week 9, Kansas City has averaged the most rushing yards and fewest passing yards of the Mahomes era. The Chiefs are also calling the fewest passing plays and most rushing plays per game since Mahomes became the starter in 2018.
Running back Kareem Hunt leads the NFL with 23.6 touches per game, and he's averaged 93.0 scrimmage yards since joining the Chiefs in mid-September.
"It's always an up-front game," Joseph said Thursday. "Every NFL game you play on Sunday, it's just O-line and D-line. That's where it starts. Even with this team we're playing now, they've been a pass-first team in the past. It's a run-first team now. On third downs, they're very, very good, because they're in third-and-1 or [third-and]-2 or [third-and]-3 most of the time, so that's winning first and second down. It's always a trench battle. It's a divisional game. It's going to be a run-first game on both sides, probably, and [it's about] who can win third downs. That's the game we have to play on Sunday."
