Chiefs 23, Broncos 3: Denver trounced in snow at Arrowhead

The Denver Broncos fall to 5-9 after an ugly 23-3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on the road at Arrowhead Stadium. It was a brutal homecoming for Drew Lock who finished 18/40 for 208 yards and an interception in the loss. It was Patrick Mahomes who dominated from start to finish completing 80% of passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns.

First Quarter

A big play from Patrick Mahomes to Tyreek Hill for 41-yards and a touchdown was the big difference in this game through the first quarter that put the Chiefs up 6-0 that remained so after a botched snap on the extra point.

Drew Lock, meanwhile, was keeping things short and underneath, which led to punts on both of their first quarter possessions.

Full first quarter recap.

Second Quarter

The Broncos defense held the Chiefs to three field goals in the second quarter, but had no answer to Mahomes and Travis Kelce between the 20’s. However, Drew Lock and the Broncos offense finally got a big play of their own that led to their only points of the half as Lock went deep to Noah Fant on fourth and one.

They left too much time on the clock, though. Mahomes and the Chiefs would get themselves into scoring position right before halftime to take a 15-3 lead into the break knowing they would get the ball first to start the second half.

Full second quarter recap.

Third Quarter

Travis Kelce completely slaughtered the Broncos defense in this game as Mahomes would complete upwards of 90% of his passes in a blizzard. The Chiefs would score in the third quarter to extend their lead even more.

The third quarter would end with the Broncos going for it on fourth down inside the ten yard line. They would get the conversion on penalty, but Drew Lock would then chuck it up for the easy interception in the end zone to keep Denver down 23-3 heading into the final quarter.

Full third quarter recap.

Fourth Quarter

With the Chiefs driving, Justin Simmons showed again why he needs that extension with a touchdown-saving diving interception at the one yard line to get the ball back in the hands of Drew Lock and the Broncos offense.

After a near pick-six, Lock found Courtland Sutton on a screen pass who took it deep down the sidelines for a 33-yard gain to get the Broncos out of the shadow of their own end zone. Two plays later, the Broncos were out past midfield, but the drive would stall shortly after that as Denver miscues piled up resulting in a fourth down incompletion near midfield.

Things would go back and forth similarly to that with the Chiefs attempting to run out the clock and Denver failing to convert fourth down attempts to bring this game to its inevitable conclusion.