Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) – Denver Broncos (5-5): 16-14
One second into the game, Denver is on the Chiefs' 17-yard line and Wil Lutz has the winning field goal at the end of his foot. The ball is kicked and flies into the air, but Leo Chenal's hand hits it and knocks it out of its path.
With this incredible action and when all hope seemed to have evaporated, the reigning champions validated a new comeback this season. Kansas City remains undefeated, and it looks like nothing can happen to it.
Stifled, the Chiefs miss their start
The start of the game was however complicated for Patrick Mahomes' team (28/42, 266 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 races, 19 yards). With 36 yards during the first quarter, the Broncos limit the locals to 2 punts and no points scored. Constantly under pressure, Mahomes was sacked twice and struggled to see the light of day, while the ground game was completely squeezed by the opposing defense.
And since the Chiefs do not advance, it is ultimately Denver who manages to open the scoring. To punctuate a nice 80-yard drive, Bo Nix (22/30, 215 yards, 2 touchdowns) finds rookie Devaughn Vele for his first touchdown in the NFL. A few minutes later, the Broncos did it again with a bomb from the rookie quarterback to Courtland Sutton (6 receptions, 70 yards, 1 touchdown). The visitors then lead 3-14 on the lawn of the reigning champions, the biggest deficit they have suffered this season.
Travis Kelce record, defense holds score
But it is once they are up against the wall that the Chiefs finally wake up. Led by the Mahomes/Hunt/Kelce trio, they build a 70-yard drive which sees Travis Kelce (8 receptions, 64 yards, 1 touchdown) catch a pass from the first in the end zone. This is the 76th touchdown received by the tight end, allowing him to tie legend Tony Gonzalez for the lead in touchdowns caught for the franchise. While Wil Lutz misses a first 60-yard field goal just before the break, Andy Reid's men return to the locker room with the Broncos in their sights (10-14).
And we know, we must not leave the formidable Patrick Mahomes in the match. While his defense is heroic and no longer concedes a single point, the quarterback finds the key and moves the chains forward. Not enough to get another touchdown, but enough to put Harrison Butker (3/3 FG, 1/1 XP) in a good position. Author of a field goal in each of the last two quarters, the Chiefs kicker thus allows his team to take the advantage 5 minutes from the end (16-14). The Chiefs take the lead for the first time in the match, and this only time will be the good one.
Kansas City heads towards the title, Denver reassures itself
With this new victory, nothing seems to be able to stop the Chiefs from seeking the title in the AFC West. If the team is not flamboyant, it seems blessed by the Gods and always finds a way to achieve victory. On the Denver side, after a heavy defeat in Baltimore, the Broncos were reassured. Sean Payton's men came close to bringing down the invincibles this evening. With a more lenient schedule and less competition, we will have to count on them for a wild card place.
