KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos looks on prior to a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Broncos fall to the Chiefs 16-14. Below is the recap and postgame interviews:
Broncos offense started with the ball from their own 30 yard line. After a 4 yard gain on 1st down by Jaleel McLaughlin, the Broncos quickly went three and out after Marvin Mims was tackled for a 3 yard loss on 3rd and 6.
Kansas City's offense went to work from their own 21 yard line. On 3rd and long, Patrick Mahomes scrambled for 12 yards and converted a 1st down to the KC 33 yard line. The Chiefs moved the ball to midfield and were facing another 3rd and long but this time Zach Allen got home for sack and a 6 yard loss. Kansas City punted the ball back to the Broncos who would start at their own 20 yard line after the touchback with 8:34 remaining in the 1st quarter.
After an initial first down completion to Lucas Krull, Bo Nix was sacked on a blitz by Nazeeh Johnson for a 17 yard loss, effectively ending the drive. Broncos punted the ball back to the Chiefs who would start their next drive from their 40 with 5:55 remaining in the 1st quarter.
Broncos defense did their job and quickly forced a Kansas City 3 and out and, after another punt skipped into the endzone, the Broncos offense would go back to work from their own 20 yard line.
The Broncos offense finally found some traction as they found a nice balance of run/pass. Starting with a handoff to Marvin Mims for 13 yards, Audric Estime got the next first down to midfield...on 2nd and long, Adam Trautman took a crossing route upfield for 35 yards getting the Broncos all the way down to the KC 11 yard line. On 3rd and 5 from the 6 yard line, Bo Nix found a wide open Devaughn Vele in the front of the end zone for the first score of the game! Broncos lead 7-0 with 14:20 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
Kansas City started their next drive from their 30 yard line. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense methodically moved the ball into Broncos territory but the drive stalled at the Broncos 18 yard line after John Franklin-Meyers tackled the Chiefs QB when he tried to scramble on 3rd down. Harrison Butker converts a 36 yard field goal after a 10 play drive and KC cuts into the lead 7-3 with 5:18 remaining in the 1st half.
The Broncos went back to work and briskly moved the ball into Kansas City territory with a handoff to Audric Estime that went for 10 yards and Lil'Jordan Humphrey fighting for extra yards on a 20 yard gain. On 3rd and 2, Bo Nix went with a play fake and hit Courtland Sutton for a 32 yard touchdown to extend the lead 14-3 with 2:23 remaining in the 1st half.
Kansas City is very dangerous in the final moments of half and end of game and they moved quickly down field into Denver territory with quick passes to DeAndre Hopkins and Travis Kelce. Jonathon Cooper sacked Patrick Mahomes and it seemed like the Nik Bonitto got a sack but Brandon Jones got called for illegal contact (no replay) and the Chiefs drive continues. On 4th and goal from the 2 yard line, Patrick Mahomes found Travis Kelce in the front of the end zone for an easy walk in touchdown. Chiefs cut into the Broncos lead 14-10 with 1:44 remaining in the 1st half.
Nix and the Broncos offense quickly moved the ball into Kansas City territory but Courtland Sutton dropped what would have been a 1st down near the 25 yard line. Wil Lutz attempted a 60 yard field goal but it came up short so the Broncos took a 14-10 lead into halftime.
Kansas City took the ball to start the 2nd half, starting from their 27 yard line. The Broncos defense QUICKLY forced a 3 and out as John Franklin-Meyers sacked Mahomes on 3rd down. Marvin Mims with a nice 27-yard return setting the Broncos up at their 43 yard line to start their 1st drive of the 2nd half.
Ben Powers was called for a hold on 2nd down, effectively ending the drive, and the Broncos punted it right back to the Chiefs.
Patrick Mahomes sacked by Nik Bonitto and then ALMOST sacked again but he escapes and completes to Samaje Perine for a 33 yard gain to get into Broncos territory. Kansas City worked all the way down to the Broncos 10 yard line but the drive stalls out and the Chiefs settle for a 28 yard field goal, Broncos holding a narrow lead 14-13 with 3:51 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
On the next drive, Bo Nix completed a nice pass to Devaughn Vele to get into Kansas City territory but the drive stalled after the Chiefs came on an all out blitz on 3rd down, Nix went down for a 16 yard loss as the 3rd quarter wound to an end.
Broncos punting to start the 4th quarter and Tremon Smith did a great job pinning the Chiefs inside their 10 yard line but the Chiefs quickly moved to midfield on two screen passes, one to Worthy and one to Kareem Hunt. The Chiefs were gathering steam but the drive would stall at midfield as Nik Bonitto was able to get pressure on Mahomes and Jonah Ellis batted the 3rd down pass to the ground. Broncos started their next drive at their own 9 yard line with 12:21 remaining in the game.
Unfortunately, the Broncos would quickly go 3-and-out after Nix was tackled for a loss on 2nd down. Chiefs start their next drive at their own 46 yard line with 10:40 remaining in the game trailing by 1.
On 3rd and 13, Patrick Mahomes found DeAndre Hopkins wide open down the left sideline for a 31 yard gain and the Chiefs worked right back into scoring position. Kansas City moved the ball all the way to the 2 yard line but Mahomes missed an open Travis Kelce in the back of the end zone and had to settle for a 20 yard chip shot field goal, taking the lead for the first time 16-14 with 5:57 remaining in the game.
Harrison Butker kicked it out of bounds so the Broncos started at their own 40 yard line on this pivotal drive. Nix and the offense got their initial first down after he found Sutton in the flat. Audric Estime powered his way into field goal range is the Broncos worked their way into field goal range. Wil Lutz lined up a 35 yard attempt and the Chiefs blocked it and won the game 16-14.
Our next broadcast is on Sunday, November 17th as the Broncos host the Atlanta Falcons. Coverage starts at 8am.
Below are the postgame interviews with Sean Payton and Bo Nix