Chiefs Continue Dominance Over Broncos - Win 12th Straight(!): 10 Observations, Play of the Game, Numbers to Know and More
The Chiefs' defense just had their league-leading fifth-straight game holding opposing teams to under 20 points
The Chiefs (8-4) are now tied with three other teams (Patriots, Titans, Ravens) for the best record in the AFC after their 22-9 victory over the Denver Broncos Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium.
The defense led the way - forcing three turnovers, including key interceptions by Juan Thornhill and Daniel Sorensen, who took his 75 yards to the house mid-way through the fourth quarter in what was the definitive play in the game.
It was a great moment for a veteran player who has had some rough games this season, but once again found himself making a key play in a divisional game. Something he’s done often throughout his storied career.
Here’s more about what took place Sunday night from Matt Lane (@ChiefinCarolina):
Coming out of the Bye Week, there was a big belief the Chiefs offense was finally going to turn it around and start to play like the Chiefs’ offense we all have come to know. The game started out looking pretty good in that regard but - like so many other weeks - sputtered out as soon as the scripted plays ended. Once again, it was up to the Chiefs’ defense to win the game for the team, and they were up to the task.
Play Of The Game
The Broncos cut the lead from ten to seven and then forced the Chiefs to go four and out the very next possession. They then took the football and marched 88 yards in 19 plays taking up eleven minutes of game clock. They had converted on multiple fourth downs on the drive but were facing 4th and 2 from the Chiefs eight yard-line and opted to go for it one more time.
Then boom, Willie Gay Jr and Jarran Reed combine for a massive stop on the 4th and short run. Both players flew into the backfield beating the blocks in front of them and were able to corral Javonte Williams - who was crushing the Chiefs on the drive - before he could get going.
The play starts up front with Reed beating the reach block from the center. He’s able to quickly work an arm-over move and slip into the backfield and force the running back to redirect his path. Reed’s quick penetration destroyed the timing of the run and forced the play into the second half of the play but fortunately for the Chiefs there was help on the way.
Along with Reed in the backfield was linebacker Willie Gay Jr who came screaming into the backfield as soon as the ball was snapped. He got downhill so fast that the offensive guard who was trying to combo-block up to him was left lunging at air. Gay was then able to quickly throttle down, square up, and redirect his own body to make the tackle on the running back who got pushed back into his lap.
These two guys combined to make a stop on a massive fourth down play that likely doesn’t happen if both guys are even “average” on this play. If either guy gets halfway connected onto by a blocker, there is likely enough space for the runner to pick up the first down because the rest of the Chiefs front seven is being driven off the ball.
The big stop was not only important for taking points off the board in the short-term but the Chiefs’ offense wasn’t ever able to get it going after this point. Had the Broncos been able to score any points on this drive, there is no telling how the rest of the game would have played out. Willie Gay Jr and Jarran Reed have really been turning it on lately for the Chiefs’ defense and it’s nice to get to put some recognition on their play in such a big spot this week!
Here are 10 Observations from the Chiefs’ victory over the Denver Broncos:
Dominant Defense
Fans of the 90s Chiefs are loving the defense they’re seeing every week. The Chiefense surrendered only 9 points — 6 in garbage time — and were dominant throughout. The night was highlighted by a Dan Sorensen interception that was tipped by Ben Niemann. The back seven had a strong performance on Sunday night — getting their hands on multiple passes.
Melvin Ingram Started Hot
Have an opening possession, Melvin Ingram. The mid-season acquisition made two big plays in the first series — a three and out by the defense. Ingram contributed on a TFL on second down, and a sack on third down.
Opening Drive Success
It wasn’t just the defense that started well. The offense drove down the field on their first possession. A 12-play, 72 yard drive fresh off the bye was a welcome sight. The Chiefs were able to find Tyreek Hill underneath in key situations on the drive, and Mahomes capped the drive off with a touchdown scramble.
Costly Drops
The Chiefs put themselves behind the sticks and in bad situations after starting hot offensively. Drives stalled out for most of the first half due to drops. Byron Pringle and Travis Kelce were the primary culprits that put the Chiefs in a bind a few times. The Chiefs struggled to put things together because of it.
Butker Nails a 56 Yarder
After the Chiefs’ second drive stalled due to drops, Butker came out to attempt a 56 yard field goal on a 4th and 15. He hit the left upright, but the kick fell in to extend the Chiefs’ lead to 10 points. He bailed out some bad drops.
Denver Stays Aggressive
Perhaps feeling the pressure of playing a prolific team like the Chiefs have been historically, Denver stayed aggressive with regard to going for it on fourth down. They lined up an executed a fourth and one and then a fourth and seven on a 20-play, 11-plus minute drive in the second quarter that ironically ended on a 4th and 2 in the red zone.
Plus Territory Turnovers
A ball careened off the hands of Hill on the opening drive of the second half — deep in Bronos territory — and into the hands of rookie Patrick Surtain. The issues that have plagued the Chiefs offense this season were still there — and continue to be infuriating.
Juan Makes a Big Play
Teddy Bridgewater threw the ball into the hands of Juan Thornhill sitting in the middle of the field. The defense continued to step up and make plays — be it fourth down stops or turnovers — throughout the game.
Special Teams Turnover
Byron Pringle had his struggles offensively, but he made a massive play on special teams on a fumble recovery. He shoved Caden Sterns into the punt returner — who touched but didn’t control the football. Pringle came up with it and flipped the field.
Offense Can’t Capitalize
The offense was gifted the ball inside the 20 yard line off of the muffed punt and couldn’t put the ball in the end zone. The Chiefs put themselves in a 4th and 1 situation, but Reid elected to kick a short field goal to go up 16-3.
50% - Fourth down conversion by defense since Week 8
As they did near the beginning of the season, the opposing offenses are going for it on fourth down at an alarming rate. The Chiefs defense has seen 24 snaps on fourth down (three negated by penalty), which ranks second in the league. While the early-season efforts weren’t all that positive, the late season rankings — just like most statistics for the Chiefs defense — have swung back in their favor.
The Broncos went for it on fourth down a whopping six times Sunday night against the Chiefs. They were able to extend the drive on three of those attempts — two during the 20-play drive — with the final one resulting in a garbage time touchdown for the Broncos. That conversion percentage — which would rank 15th on the season, even with the high number of attempts — has extended back to the start of the Chiefs’ five-game winning streak and is a key reason why they’ve been able to stay ahead of the opposition.
This defense has been placed in high-leverage situations often during this stretch of quality play, and they’ve been up to the task time and time again. They’ve had to keep a narrow margin often during this five-game stretch, and the fact that they’ve seen so many fourth downs — and held up against them — during this time period speaks volumes about their ability to turn around their own fortunes.
5.79 - Yards per play from the Chiefs offense on the season
Outside of Andy Reid’s patented first 15 plays, the Chiefs have struggled to move the ball regularly since the start of this season, and this week was no exception. The Chiefs averaged 4.9 yards per play and accumulated 9 total yards in their last three drives — and two of those drives were protecting a 10 point lead. Perhaps the most egregious drive came after the Chiefs defense held a 20-play drive to zero points with under two minutes left in the half, just for Reid and the offense to run three plays for 2 yards and punt the ball away.
This 5.79 yard per play mark on the season is easily the worst the Chiefs offense has posted under Patrick Mahomes. It will likely rank squarely in the middle of the pack after this week’s games are completed, which is a far cry from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rankings in Mahomes’ first three years with the Chiefs. Drops and inaccurate passes are now drive-killers, as this offense lacks some of the explosiveness that they have in the past. There is still time to sort it out — and a potentially advantageous matchup coming next Sunday against the Raiders — but the execution has to be better if this team wants a deep run in the playoffs.
Is it me or does the offense seem to run a lot of 12 and 13 personnel in the scripted plays and then runs almost exclusively 11 personnel the rest of the game outside of situational football?