The Kansas City Chiefs re-asserted their dominance over the AFC West by going into Mile High and running away with a massive win over the Denver Broncos. Some thought this game could be close with several Broncos returning from injury and some offensive struggles for the Chiefs. However, Kansas City had other things in mind and dominated all facets of the game and won 43-16.
For the Chiefs, just about everything went right against Denver, except what you would expect. For example, the Chiefs offense by no means had their best game. Patrick Mahomes threw for just 200 yards, one touchdown and only attempted 23 passes. Early in the game, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce were nearly non-existent. However, the duo of Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Le’Veon Bell was on full display. Edwards-Helaire bullied his way into the end zone for 11 yards to give the Chiefs their first score. However, late in the game, Hill caught a 10-yard pass from Mahomes and backup quarterback Chad Henne ran in the Chiefs’ final score.
So, where did the Chiefs get all their points? Kansas City went into halftime with a 24-9 lead that included a pick-six from Chiefs safety Daniel Sorensen and a 101-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from wideout Byron Pringle. The defense went to work in this one, making clutch stops after clutch stops. While they allowed the Broncos to put up 411 total yards, the Chiefs forced three three-and-outs, two turnovers, and allowed just one touchdown in the first half. The Chiefs were also able to grab three sacks with Chris Jones, Tanoh Kpassagnon, and Charvarius Ward, all getting in on the action.
For Denver, a handful of mistakes and the loss of Phillip Lindsay at halftime cost them. Quarterback Drew Lock threw for 254 scoreless yards and two costly interceptions. Meanwhile, Lindsay led the team in rushing yards with 79 on just nine carries and didn’t even play in the second half due to a concussion. The Broncos also had two fumbles, one in each half. In the first, Chiefs defensive rookie Tershawn Wharton knocked the ball out of Melvin Gordon’s hands. While in the second, an errant flea-flicker from Gordon back to Lock allowed Frank Clark to come up with the recovery giving the Chiefs prime field position.
Ultimately, what won this game for the Chiefs was the defense and Denver shooting themselves in the foot. The Chiefs forced four turnovers, and three sacks, while Denver had five penalties. Hence, Kansas City was the more all-around team in this one.
Highlights
He’s too slippery 😏
📺: #KCvsDEN on CBS pic.twitter.com/RLCgIwWwsk
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 25, 2020
Edwards-Helaire rumbles for an 11-yard touchdown.
That pick six was DIRTY 👊
📺: #KCvsDEN on CBS pic.twitter.com/KYrZNUUUHw
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 25, 2020
Sorenson returns his interception 50 yards to the house.
PRINGLE TO THE CRIB 🏡
📺: #KCvsDEN on CBS pic.twitter.com/KTTGUVRKZ2
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 25, 2020
Pringle returns a second-quarter kickoff 101 yards to the house.
Moving forward, the Chiefs can have the confidence that they have a well-rounded team that doesn’t have to rely solely on their offense to win. While the defensive line was thin depth-wise against Denver, Kpassagnon, Mike Pennel, and Wharton stepped up to meet the call. However, the offense is still lethal and can strike at any moment in a game, which will likely lead to a blowout win again next week against the New York Jets.
For Denver, the development of Lock will continue to be key moving forward. The second-year veteran still struggles in seeing the field. Lock often will force the ball deep when he has underneath routes wide open. The offense also continues to see struggles in their backfield as Lindsay left the game with a concussion. Next week, the defense may find more success. If they get the same pressure on the Los Angeles Chargers and rookie Justin Herbert, the game could be a very different outcome.
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