The Broncos are heading into Sunday’s AFC West matchup with one of the league’s better offensive lines, while Kansas City comes in with plenty of questions up front.
In Pro Football Focus’ updated rankings released Wednesday after Week 7, Denver checked in at fifth among NFL offensive lines. That kept the Broncos in the top five for another week, even with some uneven play elsewhere on offense.
PFF analyst Gordon McGuinness noted that three of Denver’s five starting linemen have posted overall grades of at least 70.0 through seven weeks. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey has also stood out in pass protection, with a 72.8 pass-blocking grade.
If there’s a weak link, PFF pointed to left guard Ben Powers.
Denver’s starting five remains Garett Bolles at left tackle, Powers at left guard, Luke Wattenberg at center, Quinn Meinerz at right guard and McGlinchey at right tackle.
The ranking fits with a Broncos team that has drawn scrutiny for its offensive inconsistency this season, even after Sunday’s 30-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals pushed Denver to 5-2.
Kansas City, meanwhile, landed at 21st in the latest PFF rankings, falling two spots after Sunday’s 20-3 loss to Seattle. The Chiefs didn’t have a single offensive lineman earn a PFF grade above 60.0 in that game.
Their line situation is also complicated by injury. Left tackle Josh Simmons has been placed on injured reserve with a back injury, and PFF noted he has to miss at least three more games and could be out for the rest of the season.
For Denver, the contrast is obvious: a stable front, a solid foundation for quarterback Bo Nix, and a useful edge as the Broncos get set for another divisional test.
The Broncos were also recently linked to Indianapolis Colts All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson, although Nelson has since been traded to Seattle.
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