Denver Broncos 21 - Kansas City Chiefs 17
The Broncos played host to the rival Chiefs looking to wrest away control of the AFC West. The game could not have started more disastrously for the Broncos, when the Chiefs followed up an opening drive TD by getting a pick six of Osweiler on the Broncos' first drive to go up 14-0. The Broncos D absolutely dominated from that point forward though, with the only other Chiefs points coming on a FG to close the half after being given a short field by an ill-advised Broncos fake punt from the 50. The offense stabilized enough behind strong running from Willis McGahee to claw out a win.
Osweiler was a solid 8 of 13 for 146 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.
Weeden was 7 of 20 for 98 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.
Willis McGahee was again the most effective back for the Broncos, taking his 7 carries for 90 yards and 2 TDs. It's good he did, since DMC was abysmal in this one, carrying 13 times for 23 yards. He had a long of 14, which means his other 12 carries resulted in 9 total yards. I don't know if I'm ready to declare McGahee the starter, but he's certainly earning himself a lot more carries with his recent performance.
Charles carried 7 times for 42 yards in this one, but the Chiefs mostly went with the pass despite leading most of the game.
Mitchell Osborne lead the Broncos with his one 65 yard score (the only play all game my receivers were able to beat press coverage). No other Broncos receiver had more than 26 yards.
Tony Moeaki lead the Chiefs with 2 catches for 42 yards, both backbreakers on 3rd down if I recall. I doubled him the rest of the game after that.
The Broncos got 2 sacks from Dumervil and 1 from Haynesworth, while Bailey had a pick. Joe Haden had about 3 bounce right off his hands.
The Chiefs got 2 sacks from Scott and 1 from Hali, in addition to a pick six by Routt.
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gg staticz! Our games have always been excellent, it's quickly becoming a great division rivalry. Glad I was able to protect the house and salvage a split, especially given how poorly this one started.
That fake punt was pretty dumb, especially since I still had all 3 timeouts and you'd obviously sussed it out. I still probably would have gone for it, but the smarter play was definitely just running a standard formation. Thankfully I held you to only 3, or that might have been the game.
The Broncos move to 8-3-1 and into first place in the AFC West. Chiefs fall to 8-4 but are still obviously right in it. Will be interesting whether the Broncos' tie or the Chiefs' 2nd division loss will come back to haunt either team.