Broncos’ resilient defense came through again: ‘They’re incredible’

The Denver Broncos‘ final defensive stand against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8 of the regular season will likely go down as one of the best in franchise history. The Chiefs drove inside the 5-yard line with just over a minute left, and that’s where they would stay, at least until the final play of regulation, when Kansas City was called for a crucial false start penalty on fourth down.

The man who stopped Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on the final play, defensive lineman Malcolm Roach, broke down the final sequence after the game.

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“I remember they moved it down, we stopped them,” Roach said after the game. “(Backup safety) JL (Skinner) made a big tackle on the goal line, and we got the false start and bagged it up. We kind of knew they were about to throw it in because the clock couldn’t run. Like I said, ‘Coop’ (Jonathon Cooper) did a great job rushing off the edge, and once he flushed them, I just did my job. We were trying to crush the red zone and [Mahomes] stepped up right to me and just had to get him down.”

Linebacker Alex Singleton, who led all defenders from Denver and Kansas City with 14 total tackles and a sack, said that the unit has a lot of confidence in themselves in situations where their backs are against the wall.

“I think from last week, Houston last year, now this week, and then just short-yardage in general, we’ve played really good football,” Singleton said. “There’s a lot of confidence in our defense in those situations. I think we’re almost more comfortable there than we are in the open field sometimes.”

Pass-rusher Nik Bonitto put it simply: “Just guys trying to make a play at the end of the day.”