Broncos at Chiefs second quarter recap

The Denver Broncos offense came out in the second quarter and quickly found a way to punt it back to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. The third down throw was a little behind Nick Vannett, but even if the throw was out in front he may not have been able to gain the three yards needed to convert the first down.

Mahomes and the Chiefs next drive ended short of scoring range after A.J. Bouye was beaten badly by Tyreek Hill who had the pass broken up. Hill actually caught the pass, but the refs ruled it incomplete and no one noticed until after the Chiefs punted it away. That mistake was a huge break for the Broncos in the second quarter.

The Broncos took advantage of the miscue with a huge third down run by Melvin Gordon for 65 yards down to the Chiefs 18 yard line to set the Denver offense up with a prime scoring opportunity.

Drew Lock went back to the Noah Fant well to set the Broncos up with a first and goal from the 7 yard line. Melvin Gordon would run it all the way down to inside the one yard line for a second and goal at the one.

An illegal shift penalty negated a one yard touchdown plunge by Gordon on the next play. It didn’t matter as Drew Lock found Tim Patrick on a quick pass outside who turned it up field for a touchdown and a Broncos lead.

Broncos 10, Chiefs 3.

The Chiefs needed just a handful of plays to respond to the Broncos touchdown. In four plays they were ready for a first and goal from the four yard line.

Two plays later behind back-to-back runs by Le’Veon Bell had them down to the one yard line. On third and goal, Mahomes from the shotgun tried to flip it to Tyreek Hill who had defenders all over him for a five yard loss and a field goal attempt.

The huge goal line stand maintained the lead for Denver with just under three minutes to play in the first half.

Broncos 10, Chiefs 6.

With just over two minutes to go, the Broncos were looking to respond to extend their lead heading into halftime. They were close to midfield as the two minute warning passed. A draw play with less than 90 seconds led to a 13 yard gain by Gordon to the Chiefs 41-yard line.

Denver seemed content to run the ball and play for a field goal, which may not be the way to beat the Chiefs. An illegal formation penalty pushed them out of field goal range. On third and 13, Lock from the shotgun found Noah Fant for a five yard gain to bring Brandon McManus back out for a 57-yard field goal attempt.

The kick was no good and gave Mahomes and the Chiefs a chance to score with just 28 seconds left. There was no running the ball for the Chiefs here. It took just three plays to get into a first and goal opportunity.

Shelby Harris saved the touchdown with another batted pass to force the Chiefs to kick a field goal instead.

Broncos 10, Chiefs 9.