Former player on Broncos allowing FG block: ‘Going to die so die slowly’

There are losses in the NFL, and then there are crushing losses like the Broncos endured last week at Kansas City. Afterward, Bo Nix received the respect of the Super Bowl MVP, Patrick Mahomes.

Seconds earlier, the penetration on Leo Chenal’s blocked field goal that allowed the Chiefs to escape with a 16-14 win came from the side of Denver’s Alex Forsyth, playing the tight end in the Broncos’ field-goal formation.

Credit Chenal and special teams coach Dave Toub for catching on pregame film that Forsyth was a little “light on his toes.” But also credit Forsyth, because according to two former NFL players with experience in his cleats, it’s not as simple as breaking down clips.

“I’m prepared to get ratio’d to death on this take but these clips are not as unusual as you would think,” tweeted eight-year NFL veteran Tyler Polumbus on Monday night. “I played this position my whole career and my coach told me, ‘You are going to die playing this position, your goal is to die slowly.’

“It’s not normal how often he gets knocked down but you get knocked on your ass often. You have to take on 3 guys at once playing TE on FG block. You stick your arms out like an Iron Cross get your pads low and pray to God you fall slow enough that nothing bad happens.”

Something bad obviously happened last week, and no one feels worse than Forsyth, but another former player agreed with Polumbus.

“Well stated,” tweeted NFL veteran Joel Dreesen on Tuesday morning, “playing TE and wing on FG/PAT is a thankless job…especially when 2/3 defenders attack gaps at the same time…you have to eat the charge & not get flat backed so quickly that the snap, hold, kick time is fast enough to beat any block attempt.”

Forsyth and the Broncos might be able to breathe easier for at least one week. The Falcons (6-4), their opponent on Sunday (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX), haven’t blocked a field goal or punt since 2022. Atlanta also had late-game clock-management issues in its own disappointing loss last week. And no question, given the choice, Denver would much rather have surrendered a block to the Chiefs in Week 10 than Week 18 with a potential playoff berth on the line.

Last week’s loss did drop Denver (5-5) into third place in the AFC West behind the Chiefs (9-0) and Chargers (6-3). However, Nix and the Broncos have one of the easiest remaining schedules and a Week 14 bye as they attempt to climb back into the AFC playoff race.

Bounce-back teams: Six teams that missed the 2023 playoffs enter Week 11 at .500 or better. Atlanta and Denver join the Cardinals (6-4), Chargers (6-3), Vikings (7-2) and Commanders (7-3) in that club.

Revenge game: Released by the Broncos in March, perennial Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons signed with Atlanta in August. Denver’s third-round selection in the 2016 draft, Simmons played his first eight years with the Broncos and posted 30 interceptions. This season with the Falcons, Simmons has one interception and four passes defensed in nine games.

Mile-high company: Only one rookie quarterback in NFL history, Peyton Manning with the Colts in 1998, has passed for at least 200 yards with multiple touchdown passes over four consecutive home games. Nix can join Manning by reaching those marks Sunday against the Falcons.

Super Bowl rematches: Sunday’s game is one of three on the Week 11 schedule featuring rematches of prior Super Bowls. In John Elway’s final game, Denver defeated Atlanta and its former head coach, Dan Reeves, in Super Bowl XXXIII, 34-19. This week’s NFL slate also includes rematches of Super Bowl LIII (New England over the L.A. Rams) and Super Bowl III (the N.Y. Jets over the Baltimore Colts).

For more information on the Broncos and Falcons, visit the Denver and Atlanta team pages at ProFootballPost.com.