The Denver Broncos play the ugliest football on Thursday nights and that belief was only reaffirmed in my mind after their ugly win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas night.
The struggle was real all game despite the Chiefs offense doing very little when not gifted with a short field by turnovers, weak defensive pass interference calls, or long punt returns. The Broncos offense moved the ball, but couldn’t convert in the red zone well. That made the game close despite a lopsided game in total
yardage difference and time of possession.
It doesn’t matter how you win in the NFL — just that you win. At 13-3, they will play for all of their marbles in the AFC next week at home against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Broncos vs. Chiefs final score
First Quarter
Bo Nix looked sharp to begin the game driving the Broncos offense the length of the field eating up eight minutes off the clock, but his first incompletion of the game was a costly one on third down to force a field goal attempt from the Chiefs 14-yard line.
Denver’s defense would force a punt, but Nix began to stack some incompletions with a quick three-and-out with that third play being an interception by Nick Bolton to set the Chiefs up in field goal range.
The Chiefs would eventually turn that turnover into a touchdown early into the second quarter to take their first lead of the game.
Broncos 3, Chiefs 0. Full first quarter recap.
Second Quarter
Despite the Broncos having a 2-1 advantage in time of possession in the first half, they were 0/2 where it mattered the most — in the red zone — while the Chiefs were 1/1.
They would go into half time with twice as many first downs and more than twice as many total yards, but down by one.
Chiefs 7, Broncos 6. Full second quarter recap.
Third Quarter
The Broncos would continue to dominate the time of possession. The Chiefs opened the half with a drive that ended in a field goal, then the Broncos would put together a very long drive of their own that ate up much of the rest of the third quarter.
That drive would end with this Bo Nix scramble for a touchdown from nine yards out.
The Chiefs would get the ball at the end of the third quarter, but Denver would force a quick three-and-out and get the ball right back to start the fourth quarter.
Broncos 13, Chiefs 10. Full third quarter recap.
Fourth Quarter
Denver wouldn’t get far on their next drive either and the Jeremy Crawshaw line drive punt was returned past midfield for a 49-yard return to set the Chiefs up nicely for a critical drive down by three. That big punt return helped set the Chiefs up for a 47-yard field goal from Harrison Butker to tie the game up.
Bo Nix and the offense responded nicely with just under eight minutes to go in the game. The critical play came on a third and 10 from the Chiefs 45-yard line where Nix found Lil’Jordan Humphrey wide open over the middle for a 17-ayard gain. They’d stall out facing a fourth and two at the two minute warning.
They lined up with RJ Harvey in the wildcat and somehow drew Chris Jones offsides for the first down. They’d get stuffed at the goal line on first and second downs, but Harvey would get a touchdown reception from Bo Nix from a half yard out to take a big lead with 1:45 left in regulation.
The Chiefs offense, unable to move the ball all game, suddenly began moving the ball with less than two minutes to play. They quickly found themselves at the Broncos 21 yard line with 25 seconds left in regulation. However, they’d face a fourth and eight with 20 seconds left where the Broncos defense comes up with the stop to secure the win.
Broncos 20, Chiefs 13.
