In the final moments of a tense AFC West rivalry game, the Denver Broncos came agonizingly close to securing one of the biggest upsets of the 2024 NFL season.
But with the game on the line, a blocked field goal by the Kansas City Chiefs dashed those hopes, sending the Broncos home with a painful 16-14 loss. In the aftermath, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix spoke out about the critical play, offering both empathy and support to his teammate, center Alex Forsyth, whose mistake played a role in the game-changing block.
Despite a promising start to the season, the Broncos’ playoff hopes are still very much alive, thanks in large part to the strong performance of their rookie quarterback, Bo Nix. The Broncos, who have faced a difficult few years, especially following Russell Wilson’s inconsistent play, have seen a notable turnaround since Nix took over the starting role. With Nix leading the charge, Denver has become a much more competitive team, positioning itself to fight for a postseason berth. But the loss to Kansas City, which dropped them to 5-4 on the year, was a tough pill to swallow.
The game itself was a showcase of resilience, with the Broncos keeping the high-flying Chiefs offense at bay for most of the contest. In the closing moments, the Broncos found themselves in a prime position to seal the win with a field goal attempt. The score stood at 16-14 in favor of the Chiefs, and with just seconds remaining, kicker Will Lutz was set up for what could have been a game-winning 49-yard field goal. Unfortunately for the Broncos, the attempt was blocked by linebacker Leo Chenal, spoiling the opportunity and leaving Denver with a heartbreaking loss.
Upon reviewing the play, it became clear that Alex Forsyth, the Broncos’ center, was partially responsible for the breakdown that led to the block. Forsyth failed to secure his block against Chenal, allowing the linebacker to charge through the line and deflect the kick. While it’s easy to point to the final moment as the decisive play of the game, Nix was quick to defend his teammate and avoid placing the blame solely on Forsyth’s shoulders.
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Speaking to reporters after the game, Nix expressed his disappointment over the outcome but also his understanding of how one mistake doesn’t define a player’s overall performance. “I think it’s very unfortunate, very unfair that ultimately a play comes down to one moment,” Nix said. “People can say that it falls under one person, but nobody prepares like Alex Forsyth prepares. Nobody goes through the moments throughout the week and gets every set, and every look that he possibly can to go out there and put his team in the best possible spot. Unfortunately, it’s the game we play, and all of our mistakes are on national TV and everyone sees them.”
Nix’s words highlighted the collective nature of the team’s effort and the understanding that football is a team game. While Forsyth’s error was a key factor in the blocked kick, it was a culmination of many plays — good and bad — that led to the loss. Nix’s perspective shows leadership, as he placed the blame on the team as a whole rather than singling out one player.
While Forsyth’s error was costly, Nix’s leadership and the Broncos’ overall performance still offer plenty of reason for optimism. After a rocky start to his rookie campaign, Nix has shown consistent improvement and poise under pressure. The young quarterback has quickly become a leader in the locker room, and his ability to handle adversity will be crucial as the Broncos push for a playoff spot.
The Broncos are currently sitting in third place in the AFC West, but their playoff hopes remain very much alive. At 5-4, Denver is tied with several other teams in the AFC for the wild card spots, keeping them in the thick of the postseason race. With a defense that has continued to improve and a quarterback in Nix who continues to show growth, the Broncos are a team that other playoff contenders should take seriously.
Looking ahead, the Broncos must regroup after the loss to Kansas City and refocus on their remaining schedule. While the missed opportunity against the Chiefs stings, the team’s chances of reaching the playoffs are still strong. Denver will need to continue to build on Nix’s development and ensure that mistakes, like the one that led to the blocked kick, don’t happen again in critical moments.
As for Forsyth, the center knows that his misstep on the field will be analyzed heavily, but Nix’s message should serve as a reminder that no one player is ever solely responsible for a team’s fortunes. The Broncos’ success moving forward will require all hands on deck, and Forsyth will have another chance to redeem himself.
The Chiefs’ win kept their undefeated record intact, but it was far from easy. The Broncos showed they can hang with the top teams in the league, and despite the disappointing loss, they are a team on the rise. With a talented roster and a quarterback showing promise, Denver’s playoff aspirations remain very much alive.
For now, Bo Nix and the Broncos will need to bounce back quickly and keep their eyes on the bigger picture. They have proven they can compete with the league’s best, but as Nix knows, it will take more than one good drive to secure a postseason berth.
