Russell Wilson had his best game with Denver but it wasn’t enough. On the other hand, we will find Kansas City and Patrick Mahomes at the beginning of 2023.
Denver Broncos (3-10) – Kansas City Chiefs (10-3): 28-34
Before the start of the season, this match promised a lot because it was initially scheduled in prime time. But, the bad season of Denver decided otherwise and the 2 teams therefore clash in the afternoon in Missouri.
With his performance, Patrick Mahomes becomes the 2nd player of all time to exceed 4,000 passing yards in his first 5 seasons. The first being Payton Manning.
Having led 27-0 and author of an excellent first part of the match, Patrick Mahomes (28/42, 352 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INT) then multiplied the bad decisions, which put back the attack and Russell Wilson (23 /36, 247 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT) in the game.
Unfortunately, the Broncos quarterback didn’t finish the game, being released for concussion protocol. Despite the best mark in terms of points this season, Denver will not see the playoffs unlike Kansas City, which qualifies for the 8th consecutive year.
McKinnon sees double, generous quarterbacks
The opposition is therefore unbalanced and this is confirmed. Each Chiefs attack ends in points while that of the Broncos, deprived of Courtland Sutton and Javonte Williams, does not advance.
In addition, Patrick Mahomes adds a touch of genius to score the 1st touchdown for his team. Not far from being sacked by the Denver defense, the quarterback throws a blind pass in an original form (a kind of spoon) to find Jerick McKinnon (6 carries, 22 yards – 7 REC, 112 yards, 2 TDs) for a 66-yard touchdown. The Chiefs running back even scored twice on a screen pass from Mahomes, benefiting in particular from the hard work of his offensive lineman Trey Smith.
Denver has not yet returned to its match and the public will even whistle its team after a new punt. This follows a pick six from linebacker Willie Gay who had read a too readable screen pass attempt from Russell Wilson and the Denver attack.
But Patrick Mahomes can also be as generous as his Denver counterpart. Indeed, while the score was 27-0, the Chiefs quarterback was intercepted by linebacker Josey Sewell, then by Patrick Surtain II.
Two interceptions converted into two touchdowns on reception by Jerry Jeudy, allowing the Broncos to come back to 27-14 before halftime. Denver regains hope.
Jeudy sees triple, Russell Wilson in concussion protocol
Hope confirmed at the start of the second half with a new touchdown and a third pass from Russell Wilson for Marlon Mack. But Patrick Mahomes will turn into a magician this time with a new improvisation to find Juju Smith-Schuster (9 REC, 74 YDS, 1 TD) to widen the gap again.
While he is playing his best game in the Broncos jersey, Russell Wilson leaves the field following a big shock with Frank Clark on a run. Brett Rypien replaces him and is already decisive. Indeed, he finds receiver Jerry Jeudy (8 REC, 73 YDS, 3 TDs) who catches the ball for the 3rd time in the end zone. Denver returns. The game is far from over.
The Colorado team thinks they have made the stop by intercepting Patrick Mahomes by Josey Sewell, making his second interception in the game. But, Chris Jones will catch the arm of Brett Rypien (4/8, 16 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT) who throws the ball at L’Jarius Sneed. Isaiah Pacheco is in charge of ending the hopes of comeback of Denver by getting the first attempt. Patrick Mahomes can put the knee on the ground and can blow. His team came close to the correctional, but ensured the essential, the qualification for the playoffs.
Mahomes magic! 🪄
📺: #KCvsDEN on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/TzmdzbFm9o pic.twitter.com/AVyeGJYeHV— NFL (@NFL) December 11, 2022
