The Broncos and Chiefs battled on Sunday night in Denver in a crucial AFC West showdown in a game that was flexed into the primetime spot because of the enormity of the game featuring two 7-3 teams. The matchup didn't disappoint as the Chiefs outlasted the Broncos 30-27 in overtime on a game-winning 34 yard field goal as time expired in the extra session to give the Chiefs the win. It was about as brutal of a loss the Broncos had suffered in the past few years. They had battled back to take a 17-16 lead in the 4th quarter, and they extended their lead to 24-16 with about three minutes to go. At this point, you would expect the Broncos defense to put the game away like they have so many times, but Alex Smith had other ideas. The Chiefs drove 13 plays and 75 yards for a Smith to Tyreek Hill touchdown, and then Smith connected on the two-point conversion to tie the game at 24 with only seconds left. In overtime, the Broncos got the ball first and could only muster a field goal to take the lead at 27-24, but once again the Chiefs rallied against the Broncos defense and got a field goal to tie the game at 27 in the extra period. The Broncos next drive stalled at the KC 45, and they attempted a 62 yard field goal by Brandon McManus, but the kick was wide left and KC took over at the Denver 48. With the short field position, the Chiefs took advantage and moved the ball in position for Santos who hit the 34 yarder after it deflected in off the upright. Just like that the game was over, and the Broncos were on the losing end of a heartbreaker and they were left wondering how this game slipped away so dramatically at the end. Here are my thoughts and observations on the game....
1) When our defense takes the field and they are up 8 points with three minutes to go, and the Chiefs have to go 75 yards with Alex Smith, then you would expect the Broncos defense to make a play and end the game like they always do. Unfortunately, the defense didn't close the deal,and the Chiefs somehow pulled it off. It was shocking that it happened. To make matters worse, the Chiefs converted a 4th and 10 with 19 seconds left at the Denver 14, and they converted the next play for a touchdown. Just a shocking turn of events there. Plus, the Broncos also gave up two field goal drives in overtime. The defense needs to take some of the blame here because they could stopped the Chiefs when it mattered, and they didn't.
2) The special teams were an absolute disaster and it cost the Broncos the game. Here are the mistakes that the Broncos made during the game: A muffed punt by Jordan Norwood that he had to recover at the Broncos 5 yard line, which eventually set up the safety that gave the Chiefs the early2-0 lead. Tyreek Hill taking the ensuing free kick for a TD to make it 9-0. An illegal formation on the field goal which gave KC the first down and instead of a 12-10 lead the Chiefs scored a TD to make it 16-10. Norwood fumbling another punt, which cost the Broncos critical field position and some time off the clock. They also had three critical holding calls on punts which cost them valuable yardage. There was even a spotty coverage on the kick at 27-24 in OT that gave the Chiefs the ball past the 35 yard line on the drive they scored to tie it at 27. It was about as bad of a game you scan have on special teams and it cost the Broncos the game. Just bad football from that unit.
3) This was by far Trevor Siemian's best game of his career. He was sensational-especially in the second half. He finished 20-34 for 368 yards and 3 TDs and 0 INT. He made three big-time throws. One to Emmanuel Sanders down the sideline in the 4th quarter and then another one to Sanders down the middle for a 35 yard TD throw to make it 17-16. He also made a great throw to Bennie Fowler for a 76 yard touchdown to make it 24-16 with three minutes to go in the game. His most impressive play came when he scrambled around, avoided a Justin Houston sack, rolled to his right and made a great TD throw to Jordan Taylor. Siemian played the game of his life, and was very impressive against the Chiefs pressure packages, but it was wasted in the loss.
4) Von Miller was great again with 3 sacks. He was all over the field and dominated in the run game and covering down the field. He now leads the NFL with 12.5 sacks.
5) This was a hard-hitting, playoff type game and atmosphere on Sunday Night Football. It was a classic game in every way. There were great hits, strategy and huge decisions, and big-time plays both on offense and defense. It sucks that the Broncos were on the losing end of the game, but it was an instant classic. It reminded me of the classic Joe Montana-John Elway duel on Monday Night Football back in 1994 when KC rallied to win it late. This game also reminded me of some of those heartbreaking losses the Broncos had like this in the Mike Shanahan era from 2002-2008.
6) Gary Kubiak's decision to go for the 62 yard field goal in OT is getting all the press after the game. I can't kill him on that decision. It is a no-win decision and tough one to make on the spot. Yes, if he punts the ball with 1:00 minute to go, then the Broncos probably end up with the tie. I understand that he going for the win there, and even though it is a very long shot that McManus will make that kick, I get why he tried it. He was basically screwed either way, and unless McManus makes that kick, Kubes will be criticized by everyone after the fact. The fact is that it never should have come down to that. The Broncos had plenty of chances on both sides to put the game away earlier.
7) It was a very tough loss to a very good opponent at home. There are no good losses in the NFL. This one is going to sting, but the Broncos have a lot of football left to play and there are five games left to make the playoffs. It starts next week at Jacksonville. Go down there and get the win over a team that is 2-9. No excuses. Get the win and get on that plane with an 8-4 record.
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