Were it not for a questionable call on fourth down and pair of turnovers (two of five in the game) by the Denver Broncos, they might have had a chance to mount a second-half comeback against the Kansas City Chiefs. Trailing 17-3 at the midway point, the Broncos would go on to lose 29-19, although the final score was not indicative of how well the defense played in the second half.
With just over 10 minutes to play, the defense had Denver within striking distance, despite the fact that they had to surrender a field goal after a muffed punt that cost the offense its opening possession of the half. Three times in the second half the Denver D had to stop Kansas City after the offense or special teams gave up the ball in Broncos territory.
After a disastrous first half for Denver, which saw the Broncos turn the ball over three times on offense, the second half started just as poorly for the guys tasked with putting points on the board.
The Denver defense forced a three-and-out on Kansas City’s opening possession, but rookie punt returner Isaiah McKenzie muffed the punt at his own 16-yard line and the Chiefs recovered inside the red zone.
The D bowed its back, though, and did not allow a touchdown. Harrison Butker made it a three-score game, 20-3, with his second field goal of the game, this one from 32-yards.
Trevor Siemian, who completed just five of 14 passes in the first half for 56 yards and a quarterback rating of 8.9, got some help from his running game once the Broncos offense finally got the ball into their hands. Devontae Booker had the big play of the drive, running for 26 yards on third-and-two after Siemian changed the play to his second-year back. C.J. Anderson added 30 yards on three carries on the drive. Siemian almost hit his fullback, Andy Janovich, on a seam route with nothing but daylight between him and the end zone, but the ball sailed over his head and out of bounds. On third-and-seven, Siemian escaped pressure and had Bennie Fowler open in the end zone, but the wideout could not corral the ball as he collapsed on the ground and a golden opportunity was wasted. Brandon McManus connected from 34 yards to make it 20-6.
Denver’s defense picked up another three-and-out, and this time McKenzie held on to the punt (although he was carrying the ball one-handed and away from his body like the proverbial “loaf of bread” on the return).
Siemian and the offense started to pick up some steam thanks to three quick strikes and some help from the Kansas City defensive backfield. Siemian hit Demaryius Thomas for 11 yards on the first play of the drive, then connected with Fowler for 29 to move the ball past midfield. Cody Latimer converted a key third-and-10 to keep the drive alive before Thomas earned a pass interference call to set up first and goal. Siemian again checked into a play for Booker, and this time it led to a touchdown. It was only the second time the Denver offense had found the end zone over the past three games, but it pulled Denver within a score at 20-13.
The defense looked like it was on its way to yet another stop, but Derek Wolfe jumped offsides on third-and-10 to shorten the down and distance for Alex Smith. Travis Kelce was the recipient of the next two targets, the first which converted the first down and the second that went 33 yards and into Denver territory. The Chiefs would settle for another field goal, this time from 43 yards for Butker. It was the only defensive series of the half where Denver had any cause for criticism.
Siemian opened the next drive with a 20-yard strike to Cody Latimer. The drive stalled from there, though. On third-and-four after a pair of runs, the line broke down on Siemian who could not find an open receiver and the quarterback was forced to dump a pass at the feet of A.J. Derby. Trailing by 10, Vance Joseph elected to go for it on fourth down. Siemian keyed in on McKenzie in the middle of the field and Derrick Johnson broke up the pass with a hard hit on the Denver rookie. Kansas City took over at the Denver 48.
A 14-yard scramble by Alex Smith was the only meaningful play on the ensuing Kansas City possession, but it was just enough to get back into Butker’s range. The rookie connected from 51 yards for his fourth field goal of the night to double Kansas City’s advantage 26-13.
Backed up at their own 8-yard line after a holding call on the kickoff return and with the clock no longer on their side, Denver was forced to throw. After a bad drop by Fowler, Siemian threw his third interception of the game. Siemian was looking downfield and tried to throw across his body with virtually no one within range. Kenneth Acker was the willing recipient of the errant throw.
Kansas City took over at the Denver 22 and Butker added another field goal after Denver held the Chiefs to minus-2 yards on three plays.
Denver drove 75 yards in 2:36 on the ensuing possession with Siemian picking up 20 yards with his feet and another 15 after taking a roughing the passer penalty. Jamaal Charles picked up 15 yards on the drive to pass 10,000 yards from scrimmage for his career – a nice footnote to a rough night for the former Chief in his return to Arrowhead. Siemian hit Derby for a touchdown to bring the game within 10 points (the two-point conversion failed) and cap the scoring for the night.
The defense again forced a three-and-out – their third of the half – but Denver had no time left on the clock at that point.
The Denver defense surrendered four field goals in the second half, with three on possessions starting with an average field position of their own 29-yard line. They gave the offense more than a chance to get back and win the game. The turnovers and inefficiency of the offense again proved to be too much for the Broncos defense to overcome.