Broncos All-Pro Sends Message to Vance Joseph After Chiefs Win

The Denver Broncos closed ranks around Vance Joseph and it paid off.

After relinquishing a 70-burger in Week 3, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph looked like a dead man walking. Things can change remarkably quickly in the NFL, for good and for bad. 

On Sunday afternoon, the narrative dramatically shifted towards the positive, as the Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 24 - 9.

One player who never quit on Joseph was All-Pro safety Justin Simmons, and post-game, he took the time to explain how deeply the defensive players feel about their leader.

"VJ [Vance Joseph] has been nothing but outstanding," Simmons said. "I can speak for the defensive room when I say this: We'll go to war for VJ, week-in and week-out. He never flinched, he never wavered. He knows how good we can be and how we can execute. Today kind of showed that."

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Joseph masterminding a defense that was almost unrecognizable compared to its early-season incarnation is a Hollywood-level plot twist for the ages, but forcing four turnovers tells its own story.

Flu or just a heavy cold, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was off his stride some 11 times, and he turned the ball over accordingly. On the flip side, had Broncos head coach Sean Payton opted not to stick by his embattled defensive lieutenant in the face of immense pressure, especially after the debacle in Miami, things might be very different. 

Basking in the afterglow of this seminal win is understandable, but it's worth remembering that improvements have not come easily either. Only when Joseph's defensive personnel began to get healthy once again did the green shoots of recovery begin to show.

As far as Payton is concerned, redoubling their efforts as coaches and teachers held the key to developing and executing a game plan that foiled the Chiefs perfectly.

"As a coach, as a teacher, you get inspired," Payton said. "We put a lot of long hours in this week on this plan. You want it for them. The opponent oftentimes is just yourself and your preparation and getting ready to play. The games roll through; next week, two weeks, it's Buffalo, then I can't tell you who's after that. It's really more of an inward battle constantly in our industry and getting mentally and physically ready to play a game. I knew we were ready last night. I felt good going into the game."

Heading into the bye week, don't expect the Broncos to be putting their feet up to relax. Indeed, beating Kansas City may have averted a partial or total fire sale across the Broncos roster.

That being said, right up until the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday at 2 p.m. MDT, we'll be paying close attention to the transaction wire. 

Perhaps Payton believes the Broncos can climb back into things. Simmons is hoping the Broncos get the opportunity to stay together and continue to grow as a unit.

"For sure. I think we have the talent on this team as is, and we can definitely make this thing happen," Simmons said. "That's above my pay grade. I'm just going to keep showing up for this team and keep trying to find ways to lead and to win and to help my side of the ball to be the best that we can be to help us win. If you're asking me if I love the guys that we have in the room right now and the building, !00 percent. I think we can definitely do it."

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