Broncos Come Up Short, Lose 13th Straight to Chiefs 28-24

The Denver Broncos entered the game with a chance to snap a 12-game losing streak against the Chiefs and prevent them from getting the top seed in the AFC heading into the postseason. Despite a valiant effort, they came up short, losing 28-24. The recap is below:

Broncos won the toss and chose to take the ball to start the game

Drew Lock and the offense took the field and weren't able to find much success as a deep pass attempt to Jerry Jeudy down the right sideline was just out of reach. After 3 plays, the Broncos were forced to punt.

The Chiefs offense was set up at their own 9-yard line after an impressive punt by Sam Martin but the long field didn't make much of a difference for the high powered offense. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs strung together a 17-play, 91-yard drive capped off by a 3-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce. Kansas City takes the early lead, 7-0.

The Broncos offense went 3-and-out again on their next possession but a roughing the punter penalty on the Chiefs gave the offense some life. Eight plays later, Drew Lock capped off a 67-yard drive with a 5-yard rushing touchdown to tie the game at 7.

On the Chiefs next offensive possession, they benefited from a ticky-tack personal foul call against Bradley Chubb but as Kansas City crossed midfield, Shelby Harris came up with a huge sack on Patrick Mahomes to end their 2nd drive and force a punt.

The Broncos 3rd offensive drive saw a brilliant 29-yard run from Melvin Gordon to start the drive and Denver wasn't done running successfully there. Seven plays later, Drew Lock avoided the rush and ran it in from 23 yards out to give the Broncos a 14-7 lead with 7:49 remaining in the 2nd quarter.

Kansas City, now in a 14-7 hole, started their next drive from their own 25 yard line and moved the ball efficiently down the field inside the Broncos 10 yard line but a holding penalty backed them up and they were forced to settle for a 34-yard FG, bringing them within 4 points and trailing Denver 14-10.

With 2:18 remaining in the first half, the Broncos offense strung together a 6-play drive that unfortunately didn't do more than move them close to midfield. After a punt, the Chiefs got the ball back with 23 seconds left in the first half but couldn't manage to get into scoring range.

The Kansas City Chiefs started the 2nd half with the ball on offense and, once again, moved the ball with ease down the field, highlighted by a 25 yard scramble from Patrick Mahomes. Jerrick McKinnon caught a 14 yard swing pass touchdown from Mahomes to give the lead back to the Chiefs, 17-14 on a 9-play, 75 yard drive.

The Broncos offense had a chance to respond and Melvin Gordon with an exclamation point 47-yard rushing touchdown to give Denver the lead back, 21-17. Tim Patrick came up big earlier in the drive with a 31 yard catch on 3rd and 14.

The Chiefs next drive looked similar to the previous drives however Michael Ojemudia came up with a big pass break up on 3rd down to stop the Kansas City drive in its tracks.

The Broncos offense struggled to gain much on their next drive after a false start and sack, punting it back to the Chiefs at their own 43 yard line.

After 10 plays, Harrison Butker converts a 51-yard field goal to bring the Chiefs within 1 point. Broncos lead 21-20, early in the 4th quarter.

The Broncos offense put together an impressive drive all the way down to the Chiefs 9 yard line and then disaster hit. Mark Ingram was left unblocked and hit Gordon in the backfield, forcing a fumble that Nick Bolton returned 86 yards for a touchdown. After a successful 2-point conversion, the Chiefs retook the lead 28-21.

Credit the Broncos offense as they went back on the field and immediately started attacking the Chiefs secondary through the air. Tim Patrick caught a 29-yard pass from Lock down the right sideline and Jerry Jeudy caught a fade pass for 27 yards. The Broncos settled for a 31-yard Field Goal with 4:37 remaining to pull within 4 points. 28-24.

On the first play of the Chiefs next drive, Mahomes connects with Mecole Hardman on a quick screen that he took 44 yards down field. The Chiefs wouldn't give the Broncos another chance at the ball as Patrick Mahomes completed a pass to Travis Kelce on 3rd and 3 to ice the game. Chiefs beat the Broncos 28-24, their 13th straight win in the series. The Denver Broncos finished the season with a 7-10 record. Chiefs improve to 12-5 and will wait the result of the Titans vs Texans game to see if they earned the top seed in the AFC.

Postgame interviews below with Voice of the Broncos Dave Logan and Vic Fangio/Drew Lock as well as Susie Wargin with Malik Reed.