NFL: KC Chiefs 24 Denver Broncos 31 recap and analysis

1st quarter

Denver had the first possession of the game but they have been forced to punt due to a poor o-line performance that limited the options for them, KC had a very good first drive alternating short passes with speed runs well executed by Charles so quick to enter in the holes, the came so close to score but on the 5 yard line Chares lost a fumble on a screen pass trying to do too much when he didn't have a chance to enter in the end zone. The quarter ended without any significant drive due too a complete dominance of the defenses especially due to the great pressure that the outside linebackers of both teams have been able to produce.

2nd quarter

The second quarter started with a DeAnthony Thomas fumble on a punt return that gave the Broncos the ball on the KC's 30 yard line but they haven't been able to get a first down and the turned the ball over on down after three straight ugly tries to run the ball. The Chiefs scored the first 7 points of the game with 9:11 left in the second quarter when Charles punished the Broncos' aggressiveness with his killer cutback that left him alone in the open field where is uncatchable due to his speed. It didn't take so much time before KC scored another TD, this time with their defense, Houston put up a great pressure on Manning who needed to let the ball fly earlier than he wanted and the result has been a Peters interception covering Thomas returned to the end zone for the first caareer interception and TD of the 18th overall pick in last draft. Denver reacted on the following drive being able even with some difficulties to move the ball down field especially with passes to their best WR Thomas and Sanders who scored a 17 yards receiving TD on a slant route that resulted in the first offensive Broncos' TD of the season. Denver got the ball back immediately with a great Talib's pick six who read great a curl route by Maclin and so he has been able to intercept the ball. The Broncos tied the game on a 1 yard receiving TD by TE Virgil Green on well designed play action fake.

3rd quarter

The Chiefs returned ahead on the very first possession of the second half driving the ball down field patiently with short passes and inside runs until the Broncos defense found the way to stop them it forcing them to a 3rd and long situation where the home team is not so good to convert those kind of situations. Before the quarter ended the visitors tied the game on a McManus FG.

4th quarter

KC came close to the Broncos' end zone but the opponents defense forced them to a 3rd and 10 so Smith chose to pass from the shotgun but Harris Jr. picked him off while he was trying to hit Thomas. The Chiefs defense continue to do a good job and forced the Broncos to a quick 3 and out so they had the chance to take the lead in the last 5 minutes of the game, they made a very good drive on the ground and they scored on a weak side run by Davis. Denver reaction came from Manning and his no huddle offense that marched down field for 80 yards scoring with Sanders a 19 yards receiving TD.

KC got their last chance to go ahead but another turnover cost them the game because Charles fumbled the ball on a Marshall's tackle then rob got it an took it straight to the end zone.

MVP: P.Manning (70k yards in his career)