7:12 left in the game...CBS announcer Dan Fouts said, "This stadium is almost half empty..."
In a game that the Broncos knew they needed to win in order to make the playoffs, the Kansas City Chiefs trounced Denver at home 44-24, winning for the first time at Invesco Field.
The Chiefs rode RB Jamaal Charles' 259 yards rushing and LB Derrick Johnson's two interception returns for touchdowns (45, 60-yards) to their highest point total of the season. The Chiefs crushed the Broncos today, both on the field and in spirit.
Goodbye playoffs, Denver fans. Your team did not want to win today. The Chiefs played their best game of the season today, ending the 2009 campaign 4-12.
Jamaal Charles broke Larry Johnson's 2005 single game franchise rushing record of 211 yards with a performance for all-time: 259 yards rushing. It was the eight best rushing performance of all-time in NFL history.
We have more on this game coming up later. Here are some post-game notes:
The Good
- WR Terrance Copper had that first big catch of the game and a couple of special teams tackles. All around, a solid game by Copper.
- LB Derrick Johnson had two pick six TD returns. One for 45-yards and the second for 60-yards. Both were extremely athletic plays and Johnson's speed was evident on the returns.
- Tamba Hali nabbed another sack, his fourth this season against the Broncos. Glenn Dorsey also got his first of the season.
- Dwayne Bowe hugging Todd Haley after Jamaal Charles' fourth quarter TD run.
- The Chiefs picked off Boncos QB Kyle Orton three times.
The Bad
- Where was Dwayne Bowe? He only had one catch for six yards.
- The Chiefs let WR Jabar Gaffney have a huge first half. Gaffney caught 10 passes for 145 yards in the first half but only got 4 receptions in the second half. He ended up with 213 yards receiving.
- Chiefs CB Brandon Carr got beat a number of times today by Broncos WRs, especially Jabar Gaffney.
The Ugly
- The Broncos' will to win. You give up over 300 yards rushing in a game that you absolutely need to win to make the playoffs? Ouch.