The Chiefs beat the Broncos for the sixteenth time in a row.
The Chiefs’ defense continues to play at an elite level. They are still the only team in the NFL to not allow more than 20 points. However, the offense, despite being able to move the ball at will, could not find its way in the end zone more than once.
The Chiefs’ defense gave Russel Wilson all kinds of problems. With the amount of pressure defensive coordinator Steve Spagnoulo was able to put on him. Both of the interceptions that CHiefs got last night were related to pressure packages. The first interception came on the Broncos’ third offensive drive. After Nick Bolton dropped back into zone coverage Wilson attempted to throw the ball to wide receiver Jerry Judy. Bolton leaped into the air and snagged the ball.
While Wilson had a clean pocket when he was throwing the ball Wilson incorrectly identified where the blitz was coming from as Bolton did fake blitzing.
The second interruption came on a similar play, except this one had more pressure on Wilson. When the ball was thrown Willie Gay tipped the ball and Saftey Justin Reid picked it off.
The Chiefs kept Wilson to under 100 passing yards. The Broncos were 4-10 on third down and only made it to the red zone one time. The reason they made it to the red zone was because of a controversial roughing the passer call made late in the fourth quarter. This defense is only going to get better as the Chiefs will get Charles Omenihu after a six-week suspension.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Chiefs left a lot to be desired. The CHiefs ended the game with almost 400 total yards of offense. Patrick Mahomes has 306 passing yards and Isiah Pacheco had nearly 100 yards on the ground. Despite their effectiveness in moving the ball, they could not punch it in the end zone.
He CHiefs had five opportunities in the red zone and capitalized a single time. All the other times they opted for field goals. The Broncos’ offense could not get significant or consistent pressure on Mahomes instead the chiefs receivers simply could not get open.
Kelce accounted for nearly half of the CHiefs’ receiving yards at 124. The other receivers could not get open, especially in man coverage. This has been a problem for the Chiefs offense all year and against the worst defense in the NFL, it continued.
The bright spot of the offense was the up-and-coming rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice. He finished the game with 72 yards and had no drops. He has been the most consistent wide receiver the Chiefs have had all year.
While the win may not satisfy all Chiefs fans it still had a lot of good and some opportunities for the team to improve heading into next week.
The Chiefs take on the Chargers at GEHA field at Arrowhead Stadium next Sunday.
