The Kansas City Chiefs fall to 5-5 following a 22-19 loss to the Denver Broncos. This defeat marks the first time since 2015 that the Chiefs are outside the playoff picture through the first 11 weeks.
The Broncos 9-2 start is their best since 2015, and has solidified them as the top team in the AFC West. The odds of Kansas City winning the division aren’t great, as they trail Denver by four games and the Los Angeles Chargers by two.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense had their struggles against Denver’s defense, with 276 passing yards on 45 attempts, an interception and one touchdown in the air despite four red-zone appearances. Although he was sacked only three times, the Denver defense rattled Mahomes, leading to off-balance throws or scrambles that led to incompletions.
Kansas City’s run game fell flat with Isiah Pacheco missing the game due to a knee injury, which led to Kareem Hunt taking up the majority of snaps. Hunt finished with 59 yards on 13 carries and a score, but never managed to really penetrate Denver’s defensive line or break off for any explosive plays, with his longest run of the night being 11 yards. This resulted in more pressure on Mahomes to throw and create for himself. Denver proved they still have a great secondary without Pat Surtain II.
The first half was dominated by defense, with the score reading 6-6 at halftime. Kansas City allowed one first down after Denver’s opening drive. Chris Jones had a vintage performance, with one sack and two quarterback hits – everything seemed to be clicking for the defense. The Broncos didn’t allow a single touchdown despite Kansas City’s two redzone appearances, and only allowed Kansas City to convert on five of their 13 first downs.
The second half featured less defensive success and was instead riddled by penalties. Both teams had ten penalties on the night, with Kansas City losing 69 yards and Denver losing 147. The penalties were sloppy on both ends, whether it be the illegal block by Kevin Knowles or the multiple offensive holding calls by Denver.
Kansas City scored two touchdowns in the second half, with Hunt finding his way into the endzone from the two-yard line and Travis Kelce bringing in a 21-yard touchdown. The score marked Kelce’s 84th in a Chiefs uniform, breaking the record formerly set by Priest Holmes.
Denver’s lone touchdown came in the third quarter from Jaleel McLaughlin on a 2nd-and-goal at Kansas City’s four yard line.
Denver’s kicker Wil Lutz redeemed himself after missing a potential game-winning field goal in last year’s 16-14 loss to the Chiefs by scoring 16 of Denver’s 22 points, including the game winner. This game, Lutz found himself in almost the exact same scenario as the year prior, except one yard closer. The kick was good as time expired, giving Denver the 22-19 victory.
The Chiefs will be fighting an uphill battle for the rest of the season, with the next test coming Sunday, Nov. 23, against the Colts (8-2).
