Broncos Fight Hard But Fall to Chiefs 30-23

The Broncos entered Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday against the Chiefs as big underdogs. Although the game went back and forth and the Broncos kept it close, ultimately the Chiefs were too much and they defeated Denver 30-23. The loss drops the Broncos to 3-5 at the halfway point, and it will be an uphill climb the rest of the way to make the playoffs. The Broncos had the lead early, 7-0, and they had the game at 16-14 going into the half. The Chiefs offense was too much for Denver in the early third quarter, and another round of sloppy mistakes and penalties was too much for the Broncos to overcome. Here are my thoughts and observations on the game....

1) The Broncos played hard, but couldn't overcome bad penalties and sloppy play once again. These penalties kill this team each week. Two big runs by Philip Lindsay for over 20 yards were called back. There were the key holding penalties on the offensive line once again, and the usual undisciplined penalties on the defense. It is the same story every week-especially on the road. It is so frustrating because the Broncos actually could have pulled this game out.

2) One key sequence was getting a TD right before the half to make it 16-14, but three possesions later it was 30-14 in the third quarter. Case Keenum hit Tim Patrick for the touchdown pass right before the half, and then you thinking to yourself that the Broncos are back in it and have a shot. The next thing you know it is 30-14 after two KC possessions. That is how deadly that offense has become.

3) Another key sequence was the section of the game where Denver scored to make it 30-20 late in the third quarter. After Keenum hit Jeff Heuerman on a 4th and goal touchdown, the Broncos missed the two-point conversion and the game was 30-20. After forcing a KC punt, Denver then turned it over on two straight possession. First, Keenum fumbled on a drive that they were moving the ball. Then, Keenum got picked off after Justin Simmons picked off Pat Mahomes. That was their shot to pull the upset. Keenum showed why is simply Kyle Orton 2.0 in that sequence. He has to protect the ball at all costs and get points, and the Broncos couldn't do it.

4) Close doesn't count in the NFL. No one cares about moral victories either. Yes, the Broncos went into Arrowhead and played the Chiefs tough for the entire game. Yes, they showed some fight and didn't quit, and proved they were a tough out, but the bottom line is that they still lost and that is all that matters. There are no style points in the NFL.

5) The Broncos now at 3-5 must win next week at home against Houston to keep their very slim playoff hopes alive. I don't think anyone is expecting this team to get on a run in the second half of the season and go something like 10-6, but if they want to keep something alive for this year, then they have to win Sunday and get to 4-5.