Team Decision After Chiefs Win by the Denver Broncos

A win over the Kansas City Chiefs—especially in the AFC West, where the Chiefs have dominated for years—isn’t just a regular victory; it’s a catalyst for strategic shifts, confidence boosts, and critical team decisions. For the Denver Broncos, Team Decision After Chiefs Win by the Denver Broncos became a turning point in their 2024 season, as a 24-21 Week 13 victory over their divisional rivals forced the organization to refine its goals, adjust its roster, and double down on what was working. The win, which snapped a five-game losing streak to the Chiefs, wasn’t just about points on the board—it was proof that the Broncos’ offseason changes (from coaching adjustments to personnel moves) were finally clicking. As the team returned to Denver, coaches, front-office staff, and players huddled to make decisions that would shape their playoff push, ensuring the Chiefs win wasn’t a one-time success but a foundation for sustained momentum.

Team Decision After Chiefs Win by the Denver Broncos began with a critical post-game evaluation of what worked—and what needed to stay consistent—in their offense. Against the Chiefs, the Broncos abandoned their overly conservative playcalling (a criticism that had plagued them earlier in the season) and leaned into quarterback Russell Wilson’s ability to make plays downfield. Wilson completed 68% of his passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns, including a 45-yard deep strike to Marvin Mims that set up the game-winning field goal. The offense also balanced the run game effectively, with Javonte Williams rushing for 92 yards and a score—proving that a mix of aggression and structure could exploit the Chiefs’ defensive weaknesses. After the game, head coach Sean Payton and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi made a key decision: to maintain this aggressive, balanced approach for the remainder of the season. “We found a rhythm that works—trusting Russell, using our playmakers, and keeping defenses off balance,” Payton said in a team meeting. “Our decision moving forward is to stick with what’s clicking, not revert to old habits.” This meant more deep routes for Mims, more involved passing plays for Williams, and fewer predictable short-yardage run calls on third down.

A key component of Team Decision After Chiefs Win by the Denver Broncos was the medical and roster decisions aimed at preserving health for the playoff stretch. The win came with a small cost: defensive tackle Mike Purcell left the game with a minor ankle sprain, and wide receiver Courtland Sutton was limited by a shoulder injury. After evaluating both players, the Broncos’ medical staff and front office made two critical decisions: first, to list Purcell as “day-to-day” and limit his practice reps in the week leading up to their next game (against the Las Vegas Raiders) to avoid worsening the injury; second, to sign veteran wide receiver Demarcus Robinson to the practice squad as insurance for Sutton. Robinson, a former Chief with experience in AFC West matchups, was seen as a low-risk, high-reward addition who could step in if Sutton’s shoulder forced him to miss time. “Winning is great, but we can’t let short-term success lead to long-term injuries,” said Broncos general manager George Paton. “Our decision to add depth and manage reps is about making sure we’re healthy when it matters most—playoff time.” The team also adjusted its practice schedule, adding an extra day of light recovery workouts to reduce wear and tear on key players like Wilson and defensive end Zach Allen.

Team Decision After Chiefs Win by the Denver Broncos also included a strategic shift on defense, focused on doubling down on the schemes that stymied the Chiefs’ offense. Against Kansas City, the Broncos used a mix of zone coverage and blitzes to limit Patrick Mahomes to just 220 passing yards and force two interceptions—far below his season averages. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s decision to have cornerback Patrick Surtain II shadow Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (holding him to 5 catches for 48 yards) was a game-changer, and the Broncos elected to make this “shadow coverage” a staple of their defensive game plan moving forward. Additionally, the team decided to increase the usage of rookie linebacker Thomas Incoom, who recorded a sack and a forced fumble against the Chiefs. Incoom’s speed and pass-rushing ability had been underutilized earlier in the season, but his performance against Kansas City convinced coaches to give him more snaps in pass-rushing packages. “We saw what Thomas can do against a top offense, so our decision is to get him on the field more,” Joseph explained. For the Denver Broncos, this defensive adjustment wasn’t just about copying a successful game plan—it was about adapting to the strengths of their own players and exploiting the weaknesses of future opponents.

Another critical decision stemming from Team Decision After Chiefs Win by the Denver Broncos was the organization’s choice to reframe its playoff goals from “wild-card hopefuls” to “divisional contenders.” Entering the Chiefs game, the Broncos were clinging to the 7th AFC wild-card spot with a 6-5 record. The win pushed them to 7-5, just one game behind the Chiefs (8-4) for first place in the AFC West—making a divisional title a realistic possibility. The front office and coaching staff met with players to communicate this shifted goal, emphasizing that every remaining game (including matchups against the Raiders, Chargers, and Bills) would be treated as a “must-win” for the division. To reinforce this, the Broncos made the decision to increase fan engagement around divisional games, launching a “Take Back the West” campaign that included special in-stadium events, player meet-and-greets, and a ticket giveaway for season-ticket holders who attended road games against AFC West rivals. “Winning the division isn’t just a dream anymore—it’s a goal we can achieve,” Payton told the team. “Our decision to reframe our focus is about giving this team something to fight for beyond just making the playoffs.” For the Denver Broncos, this mental shift was just as important as any on-field adjustment, as it injected new energy and purpose into the locker room.

Looking ahead, Team Decision After Chiefs Win by the Denver Broncos will have long-term implications beyond the 2024 season, including how the organization approaches free agency and the draft. The win validated the Broncos’ investment in Wilson (who has rediscovered his form) and their defensive core (Surtain, Allen, and linebacker Alex Singleton), leading to the decision to prioritize extending key players like Allen and Singleton in the offseason. Additionally, the success of their aggressive offensive approach has convinced the front office to target playmaking wide receivers and offensive linemen in the draft, to further support Wilson and the run game. “This win didn’t just change our season—it changed our vision for the future,” Paton said. “Our decisions moving forward will be based on building a team that can consistently beat the Chiefs and compete for championships, not just make the playoffs.” For the Denver Broncos, the Chiefs win was more than a single victory; it was a blueprint for success. As Wilson put it after the game: “This win shows us what we’re capable of. Now, it’s up to us to make sure this isn’t a one-time thing—it’s the start of something special.” If the Broncos stick to the decisions made after this pivotal win, they could finally end the Chiefs’ divisional dominance and reestablish themselves as an AFC powerhouse.