Chiefs Survive Broncos, 27-to-24: Game Report

Laddie Morse

In a game in which everyone I know was predicting the Kansas City Chiefs would score in the 30s and the Denver Broncos would score in the teens, the final score was a bit of a surprise. Or should I say, “scare.” The game was at Arrowhead Stadium — advantage Chiefs — and the Broncos were sporting an interim Head Coach — advantage Chiefs — and the Broncos defense was coming off of a game in which they allowed 51 points to the 5-and-10 Rams — advantage Chiefs… or so we thought. The bottom line is, the Chiefs beat the Broncos for the 15th time in a row, but like many of their other victories this season, it wasn’t pretty, or by much.

The First Half

The Chiefs won the opening coin toss and deferred, which is always a good sign. They then held the Broncos offense to a 3-and-out, another good sign. The Chiefs then marched 65 yards on 10 plays for a TD, but then missed an extra point because holder (and Punter) Tommy Townsend couldn’t handle the hike from Long Snapper James Winchester. Townsend was able to get up and run with the ball, which was futile.

Chiefs 6, Broncos 0.

The Broncos then went 5-and-out.

The Chiefs also went 5-and-out.

Then the Broncos drove the ball on 14 plays and kicked a 49 yard field goal.

Chiefs 6, Broncos 3.

That’s when the Broncos defense held up by intercepting Patrick Mahomes in the end zone after the Chiefs had driven the field on 7 plays.

After the interception by Broncos DB Justin Simmons, they Punted after 6 plays were stopped by the Chiefs D.

Kadarius Toney then fumbled the Broncos Punt on the Denver 16 yard line, and one play later, the Broncos scored a TD on a run by Russell Wilson.

Chiefs 6, Broncos 10.

K.C. then drove the field and Mahomes threw a 6 yard TD pass to Jerick McKinnon.

Chiefs 13, Broncos 10

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The Broncos then fumbled the ball away and two plays later, Harrison Butker missed a field goal try (block?). The half ended right their:

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Chiefs 13, Broncos 10 – Halftime Score

The Second Half

The Chiefs received the ball first after the half, but went three-and-out twice in a row, sandwiched by a Broncos 5-and-out. Then Russell Wilson led them on a 6-play, 62 yard drive for a TD.

Chiefs 13, Broncos 17.

The Chiefs followed that up with their third three-and-out in a row, but Denver did the same so when K.C. scored a TD on their next drive when PMII hit Blake Bell on a 17 yard pass, as Bell flipped over the D-back and landed on his back before the official called it a TD, and that chanced the score again:

Chiefs 20, Broncos 17.

One play later, L’Jarius Sneed intercepted a Russell Wilson pass, but may have injured his hip when he was hit by a Denver defender (BTW, Sneed if fine now). Four plays later Mahomes hit Jerick McKinnon again for another TD.

Chiefs 27, Broncos 17.

The Broncos then drove the length of the field for a touchdown.

Chiefs 27, Broncos 24.

The Chiefs then had a 5-and-out drive followed by another Punt.

The Broncos then had a 5 play drive which ended in a Chris Jones sack of Russell Wilson.

The Chiefs got the ball back with 1:19 on the clock and Denver called each of their Time Outs before the Chiefs got a first down on a pass to Trvis Kelce. Two kneel-downs later and this game was in the bag.

FINAL: Chiefs 27, Broncos 24.

On the Bright Side

While I don’t usually see the bright side of a loss, and although this game wasn’t a loss, it sure felt like one. Anyway….the Denver Broncos have an elite level defense and any team that scores 27+ points on them is doing really well. While K.C. has averaged 29.2 points per game — prior to the Sunday game vs the Broncos– they scored about 7 points more than Denver usually allows (20.3). Although K.C. is ranked second in the NFL in points scored per game, the Broncos are tied for 7th in the NFL in points allowed per game.

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RB, Jerick McKinnon

McKinnon had 7 touches (2 running and 5 receptions) for 56 yards and two (2) TDs. It’s getting to the point where, almost every time Jerick McKinnon touches the ball, I’m expecting him to score. McKinnon has now scored 7 pass receiving TDs in the last 5 Chiefs games (8 counting his rushing TD). Here’s his second one vs the Broncos:

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I’m hoping that GM Brett Veach finds a way to re-sign him this coming offseason, and I’m hoping that’s for multiple years. I hear he a really strong influencer in the locker-room, so that’s another reason to keep him around. Here’s what Matt Derrick had to say about McKinnon:

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“Amazing what Jerick McKinnon is doing in his age-30 season. Career highs with eight touchdowns and 509 yards receiving. A couple of weeks ago Andy Reid said, “He’s like a dinosaur at that position.”

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The Patrick Mahomes Factor

We all know Mahomes is crazy good, right? Well, he didn’t have his best game but… he still threw for 328 yards and finished 2022 (with one game left) with 5,048 passing yards for the year. Now, based on a 16 game season, there are only two others who have ever reached the 5,000 yards plateau — twice — and that’s Tom Brady in 2011 and 2021 and Drew Brees in 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2013. Mahomes is the only one who has accomplished that feat twice in his first five seasons.

Chris Jones and George Karlaftis

DT Chris Jones had another sack in this game and was disruptive throughout the contest. DE George Karlaftis had a sack too bringing his total to 5.5 sacks on the season and along with all his batted down passes, he become an excellent addition to the DL.

Referees

The Broncos had 3 Penalties for 23 yards and the Chiefs had 5 penalties for 51 yards. There’s not much to object to here, although I don’t agree with the penalty on Josh Williams coming over the back of Jerry Jeudy with 11:09 left in the 4th quarter. Time for the NFL to insert video review more for the refs when they are in doubt.

Un-Special Teams

Are we going to get a consistent pairing in Tommy Townsend and Harrison Butker on Special Teams.? If they play this way in the playoffs, they could easily cost K.C. a game.

Travis Kelce

We are so spoiled in Kansas City with the Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes pairing. Kelce now has 7 consecutive season in a row with at least 1,000 yards receiving. He now has 104 receptions this year for exactly 1,300 receiving yards. Bravo Kelce, Bravo! Early in the game Matt McMullen posted this tweet:

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Injury Report

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Quote of the Game

“The Chiefs went RIGHT BACK to Kadarius Toney after the

fumble. Always love how Andy Reid makes sure to give

young skill players an immediate confidence boost following

costly turnovers. Don’t give them the time to sulk,

get down on themselves.” –Adam Best

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Tweet of the Game

Jerick McKinnon was asked if he knew what he’d accomplished by getting five straight games with a receiving TD as a RB, and that no one has ever done that in the history of the NFL? Jerick said:

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I love, love, love that McKinnon called Andy Reid a “Scheme Guru”….

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Song of the Game: “Livin’ On A Prayer” — Bon Jovi

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The Future

We’ll all be waiting to see if the Bengals can pull off a victory over the Buffalo Bills tonight on Monday Night Football, so the Chiefs can get the number one seed and a first round Bye in the playoffs. Here in Kansas City, this is the beginning of Raiders Week for us! The game will be played in Las Vegas and will be the the last game of the season… that is, before we play in the playoffs.

Go Chiefs!

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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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