Broncos-Chiefs first quarter update: Denver stave off disaster and are driving

The Kansas City Chiefs won the coin toss and put their league worst defense on the field to face Trevor Siemian and the Denver Broncos offense to open up the game. Because who fears a team that can’t score.

Fortunately, the Broncos opened up their drive running the ball; gaining four yards from C.J. Anderson on first down. However, on second down a poor throw from Siemian put the Broncos in a third and six. The run was there on second down, but oh well.

On third down, Siemian threw high to Demaryius Thomas at the first down marker for a quick three and out for Denver.

A big punt return by Tyreek Hill was negated by a holding penalty on the Chiefs, giving the Broncos defense a good down start with the Chiefs starting inside their own 20 yard line.

Shane Ray got himself back into the mix on the first play, stopping Kareem Hunt at the line of scrimmage for no gain. They would split Hunt outside on second down against Brandon Marshall, but Alex Smith overthrew him deep outside. On third and ten, Smith hit Travis Kelce over the middle for a 20-yard gain and a first down.

After another short run on first down from Hunt, Von Miller would get into the action with a solid tackle on Hunt for a short gain to setup another third and long. Smith would be flushed out of the pocket to throw the ball away as the No Fly Zone locked down the secondary on the play.

Jamaal Charles took the field for the first time on the Broncos second drive and Chiefs players were there to give him love.

His first carry went for 18-yards. The crowd cheered. A quick four-yards on the next play, but on the next play he was fighting for the first down when the Chiefs knocked the ball out. Jason Peters recovered the ball and returned it for the touchdown.

Chiefs 7, Broncos 0.

The Broncos went back to Anderson on the drive who plodded for a solid five-yard gain on first down, but was caught from behind on a sweep for negative two-yards. On third and seven, Siemian misfired again - that time on a poor throw off his back foot to A.J. Derby.

He had a clean pocket, but for some reason he leans back and throws while he is falling down with no Chiefs player trying to tackle him.

With Siemian playing scared, the game was wide open for the Chiefs to begin their march towards a blowout win.

Miller blew up the first down pass attempt, but Hunt would take a catch outside breaking a tackle from Darian Stewart to make it a third and two. A ticky tack call on Justin Simmons for roughing the wide receiver would give them the first down, despite a shoulder to shoulder hit.

Another big catch from Kelce moved the ball into field goal range for the Chiefs at the Broncos 29-yard line. Kelce would beat Stewart on the next play for the go ahead 29-yard touchdown reception from Smith.

Chiefs 14, Broncos 0.

Now with an insurmountable lead, Siemian immediately threw to his first read to a well covered Jeff Heuerman into the hands of Peters for the easy interception.

The Chiefs quickly passed their way inside the 10-yard line, with a big catch from Kelce. Kelce had 83-yard receiving already at this point with 4 minutes still left in the first quarter.

Trickery then blew up in the Chiefs face as Tyreek Hill threw an easy interception to Stewart in the end zone.

With the Broncos finding new life, Siemian completed his first pass of the game to a wide open Thomas for a big 17-yard gain. Anderson took the next handoff for six yards and the next one for another six yards to push the Broncos past midfield.

Charles got his first carry since the fumble and two-handed the ball his way to an easy eight yard gain on first down. He was met in the backfield by Benny Logan, but powered his way through the nose tackles arms for no gain. On third down and two, Siemian would dump it off to Cody Latimer for the first down at the Chiefs 34-yard line.

The Broncos end the quarter just outside of the red zone.