2016 Broncos Season, Week 12


November was a rough month. The Broncos went 1-2, lost a pair of division games, and find themselves in third in the AFC West and out of the playoffs at the moment. Bring on December.

Week 12: Chiefs 30, Broncos 27
Season Record: 7-4 (4-2 Home)
Key Play: In regulation, with the Broncos leading 24-16 and less than a minute left. Alex Smith completed a pass to Tyreke Hill that appeared to be just short of the goal line as time ran out. A review ruled he scored a touchdown, cutting the lead to 24-22. The Chiefs scored the two-point conversion and went on to win in overtime.

Recap: It's been a bad month for the Broncos, who now find themselves at 7-4, third in the West, just outside the playoff picture and needing to charge hard over the final five games. All hope is not lost yet, but the Broncos must play better. In last night's game there were some dubious calls, to be sure, but it was the defense failing to come through in the clutch that really cost the team the game. The defense had an eight point lead with just a few minutes to play, and they let the game get tied. The defense had a three-point lead in overtime, and let the game get tied. Then they needed to hold the Chiefs for just over a minute to preserve the tie, and it didn't happen. That's sloppy. And it wasted a great game from Trevor Siemian, perhaps his best game of the season. Now the Broncos need to go 5-0 or 4-1 to end the season, including three games on the road (one in Kansas City). It's a tall order, but the team can do it. If they want a chance at a repeat, they need to best the Raiders and Chiefs when they see them again.

Game Balls:
* Trevor Siemian — He threw for 368 yards and three touchdowns despite a lot of pressure from Kansas City. Siemian was good enough to win.
* Emmanuel Sanders — He caught seven passes for 162 yards and a touchdown, and was the spark the offense needed throughout the night.
* Von Miller — Miller had a good game, despite the loss. He kept Alex Smith and the Chiefs in check for long stretches, collecting three sacks, leading the team with 10 tackles, and making four tackles for a loss.

Lingering Questions:
* Offensive Line — Donald Stephenson helped solidify things at right tackle when he came in, but the team's line play is still very poor. That will hold the Broncos back.
* Special Teams — Let's just say they haven't been so special, especially in returning kicks and covering kicks.
* Tough Schedule — The Broncos will have to earn their place in the playoffs with games against the Titans, Raiders, Chiefs and Patriots remaining. It's a tall order.

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