Despite an uneven performance, the Kansas City Chiefs snuck by the Denver Broncos, winning 28-24. Thanks to some late-game heroics from Melvin Ingram and Nick Bolton, the Chiefs secured their 12th win of the year. With their win on Saturday, the Chiefs moved back into first place for the time being. In order to keep the 1st overall seed, the Chiefs will need some help. Either a Texans win or tie against the Titans will clinch the 1 seed for the Chiefs.
KEY PLAYERS
Melvin Ingram: Even though their defense struggled, midseason addition Melvin Ingram shined. Although his stat sheet doesn’t look too impressive, Ingram’s impact was felt all game. Ingram had two plays where he stuffed Denver running backs in the backfield. The biggest play of the game came when Ingram forced a fumble in the backfield and Nick Bolton ran the ball back for a touchdown.
Mecole Hardman: With Tyreek Hill hampered by a pregame heel injury, the Chiefs needed offensive playmakers to step up. The Chiefs found this in Mecole Hardman. Hardman was utilized throughout the game, mostly through screens and quick passes. Hardman ended the day with 9 touches for 113 yards on offense.
GRADING THE OFFENSE
Grade: B+
The Chiefs started their first offensive possession at their own 9-yard line. 17 plays later the Chiefs found their way into the endzone for their longest touchdown drive of the year. For the rest of the game, the Chiefs found mixed success. Even without several key starters available, the Broncos’ defense still played stifling football all game long. The Chiefs were able to salt away the game thanks to a 9 play 66-yard drive.
GRADING THE DEFENSE
Grade: C+
One big play from the Chiefs made their struggles on defense seem minimal. With that being said, the Broncos were facing a second and two at the 9-yard line when Melvin Ingram made one of the plays of the year for the Chiefs. The truth of the matter is that a few of the problems that were obvious at the beginning of the year have resurfaced in the last two weeks for the Chiefs. Miscommunications in the secondary have cost the Chiefs, and big plays have been plenty against their defense in the past couple of weeks.
GRADING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Grade: C+
Even though Harrison Butker struggled throughout pregame warmups with his footing, he didn’t miss a beat. Butker went 2-2 on his field goals, including a 51-yard field goal. However, there were a couple of things that needed polished on special teams. The first miscue came when Zayne Anderson ran into Denver’s punter, giving the Broncos a first down. The second miscue came when the Chiefs failed to down a punt near the goal line.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
After the game, Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid was asked about Nick Bolton’s touchdown. Andy Reid responded by saying the following:
LOOKING AHEAD
The Chiefs will have to wait and see when they play again. The playoff picture for the Chiefs will become a lot clearer following the Texans-Titans game. Either the Chiefs will faceoff with the 7 seed next week in their Wildcard game, or they will get a first-round bye. If the Titans win, the Chiefs will host a home playoff game next week at Arrowhead Stadium.
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