The Denver Broncos found themselves in a 14-0 hole with less than four minutes to play in the first half against Kansas City on Thursday night and as the second quarter unfolded it became more and more evident that Peyton Manning needs to run his offense if the team is going to have any chance to win. But a return to what Manning does best and a key interception by Aqib Talib in Kansas City territory leveled the game at the 30-minute mark.

After Denver failed to pick up a first down on a fourth and one on Kansas City’s 22 yard line following Denver’s second fumble recovery of the half – a possession that could have put Denver up 3-0 – things went quickly downhill.

Multiple personal foul penalties by the defense set up a long TD run for Jamaal Charles, which was followed immediately after by a 55-yard pick-six on a third down play that saw Manning nearly sacked for the third time in the half.

Manning battled back, however, on the very next drive and leading the offense from shotgun put Denver in the end zone on a cross to Emmanuel Sanders.

Without the penalties and a muddy offense over the first five possessions, Denver could have very well have been staring at a 17-point lead at halftime. They would settle for a tie game and all the momentum

As always, the MHS staff and the Denver media was all over the biggest trends of the game as they unfolded…

On the defense and penalties:

https://twitter.com/JoshPennock/status/644682070518665216

https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/644683757811691520

On play calling: