The Kansas City Chiefs defense hadn’t given up 20 points in a game all season. But in their rematch against the Denver Broncos, the Chiefs finally did.
That wasn’t the only oddity in the team’s 24-9 loss Sunday in Denver. The Chiefs struggled in all three phases. The defense gave up 153 yards rushing, Patrick Mahomes had three turnovers, Mecole Hardman fumbled a punt, and the Chiefs had five turnovers as a team, which helped the Broncos snap a 16-game losing streak to their rivals.
“There’s still a bunch of ways for us to get better across all three phases,” Chiefs safety Justin Reid said. “And it’s a good reality check for us. The reason that you play the games in the NFL is that there’s no guaranteed wins, especially when it comes to the division.”
The Broncos (3-5) were quick to get to the line of scrimmage, and quarterback Russell Wilson often audibled after the Chiefs showed what defense they were in and found ways to attack. Wilson threw three touchdown passes and rushed for 30 yards. In the previous game against the Chiefs, Wilson threw two interceptions but had none Sunday.
“They stood true to who they were,” Reid said. “But they put some wrinkles in to make sure they had a different flavor. I thought they ran the ball really well on offense, and I think that was the biggest key to them having success. So we need to tighten up the run game on the defensive side of the ball.”
The Chiefs (6-2) were playing without linebacker Nick Bolton, who was placed on injured reserve after having surgery on his wrist. Still, the Chiefs recorded six sacks on Wilson, and Reid even blocked a field goal.
“I felt like we just needed a spark,” Reid said “And I just want to try to create a spark and be able to get some momentum going so we can go out and try to change the type of game. Earlier, the first extra point that they kicked I didn’t rush. I stayed back and paid attention to their snapper and what their snap count was like, and I was just going to save that in my back pocket for a big time in the game and use it. And I was able to take advantage of that and jump the snap and get a block.”
The Chiefs, however, couldn’t capitalize and punted on the ensuing possession. The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for the Chiefs, who will now play Tyreek Hill and the Miami Dolphins this Sunday in Frankfurt, Germany. And Reid said the Chiefs better have a short memory.
“We take this one on the chin and get better from it,” Reid said. “We don’t sulk on it too long. We’re going to watch the film get better from it and prepare for a very talented Miami team because that’s going to be a very big game with seeding for the postseason.”
