The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos, 29-19. This was a bit of an odd game because it didn’t feel like the Chiefs were walking away with a double digit win. But they did!
What this game felt like: It felt like it was another game where the Chiefs couldn’t close out their opponent. The Broncos (briefly) made this a one-score game in the second half and that let them believe they could compete. The Chiefs offense didn’t look right and the Broncos ran all over the Chiefs defense.
What this game really was: The Chiefs were in control the whole game but, yeah, playing one of the best defenses in the NFL it wasn’t as pretty. They got up 20-3 and while Denver did poke at that lead as the game went on the Chiefs were in control. Denver’s offense wasn’t good enough to take them seriously. The Chiefs don’t lose to bad quarterbacks.
The Chiefs have a big lead in the AFC West
All those complaints I had about the Chiefs not closing the game out? Let’s look at what really matters: their record.
The Chiefs are now 6-2 and have a big lead in the AFC West over the 3-4 Broncos, 3-5 Chargers and 3-5 Raiders. It would be an upset if the Chiefs didn’t win the AFC West.
AFC West Standings:#Chiefs 6-2
— Brandon Kiley (@BKSportsTalk) October 31, 2017
Broncos 3-4
Chargers 3-5
Raiders 3-5
Jamaal’s return didn’t go so well (for him)
His first carry was for 18 yards and I thought, oh crap. Jamaal still has it! Then Marcus Peters ripped the ball out of his hands and returned it for a touchdown. Jamaal had one more play after that until garbage time late. I’ll be honest, I felt bad for him after that fumble even though the Chiefs scored. Weird feeling!
Monster game for Travis Kelce
Have you heard this before: Kelce lit up the Broncos. He had 19 catches for 261 yards last year in two games against the Broncos. Against Denver on Monday night he had seven more catches for 133 yards and a score.
Travis Kelce's last three games vs. #Broncos (and counting):
— BJ Kissel (@ChiefsReporter) October 31, 2017
26 receptions, 394 yards, 2 TDs. pic.twitter.com/7RXm3TRf2i
Alex Smith seemed ... off
Alex was completing nearly 73 percent of his passes coming into this game. He did not look that accurate in this game. He just seemed ... off. Antsy. Timid. He threw a few ducks.
Sure, the Denver defense is great and definitely had something to do with it. I’m not saying they didn’t. The Broncos have the two best corners in the league. Still, you watch Alex tonight and all night long he wasn’t as accurate. I’m not sure if it’s just one bad game or the Broncos were doing something or what.
How about Harrison Butker?
The Chiefs kicker who replaced Cairo Santos missed his first kick of his Chiefs career earlier this year. Since then? He’s made 18 in a row, including five against the Broncos on Monday night.
My anxiety over losing Santos has gone away.
Von Miller was a non-factor
This is why you sign RT Mitch Schwartz. For this very game. Let his brother Geoff take it away:
Are they even going to mention the Right Tackle of the Chiefs who's shut down Von Miller so far tonight? He's too fat to be invisible.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) October 31, 2017
LT Eric Fisher wasn’t quite as good as he gave up a sack that turned into Alex Smith’s first turnover of the season.
Injury bug keeps hitting Chiefs
LB Dee Ford and WR Albert Wilson were both ruled out of this game with injuries. Ford was replaced by Frank Zombo after he left the game with his back injury. Wilson was out with a hamstring injury.