On a snowy day at Arrowhead Stadium, the Denver Broncos saw one streak sadly come to an end while another unfortunately continued.
The Kansas City Chiefs have now beaten the Broncos nine straight times. The Broncos’ two-game winning streak is now a thing of the past as well.
The game was never close as the Chiefs controlled from the outset. The Broncos weren’t able to muster up much offense and had only a field goal to show for their efforts.
With the loss, the Broncos drop to 5-9 on the season and will return home to face the Detroit Lions next Sunday. But before we talk any more about next week, let’s take a look back at this loss.
1. The snow was a big factor
Yes, the Chiefs had to play in the same elements and had no problems, but the snow really slowed down what the Broncos wanted to do in this one. It could have been worse if the Chiefs didn’t have a heated field, but the conditions were far from ideal.
The Broncos mustered just 251 total yards on the day (52 yards rushing) and just could not get going. The same team went up and down the field against the Houston Texans last week.
That likely had more to do with the field conditions than it did the Chiefs’ defense, which is average at best.
2. Travis Kelce is a Bronco killer
Kelce probably gets a big grin every time he sees the Broncos are next on the schedule. He has had some huge games against them during his career and Sunday was no different.
Kelce caught 11 passes for 142 yards in the game. Every time Patrick Mahomes needed a play, he looked Kelce’s way. Kelce was making the catches with ease and seemed indefensible at times.
In future meetings, the Broncos need to find a strategy to slow the talented tight end down.
3. Let’s not overreact on Lock
Drew Lock was bound to have a bad start. He is still a rookie. But let’s save the “this guy isn’t the future” takes, because they would be entirely premature.
Between playing against a tough team, the pressure of playing in his hometown in front of family and friends and the conditions in this game, Lock had his work cut out for him.
He completed just 18-of-40 passes and threw an interception, a really bad one. Lock needs to take his lumps, however, and that’s why it’s good he’s in there. By and large, he’s still exceeded expectations.
4. What a play by Simmons
Though it didn’t do much to help the Broncos in the ultimate outcome of the game, Justin Simmons made a fabulous play on a ball to intercept Mahomes in the end zone.
Mahomes is a confident quarterback, and he should be. He makes throws hardly anyone is capable of making.
Rolling out of the pocket from the Denver 9-yard line in the fourth quarter, Mahomes tried to fit a ball into an incredibly tight window to Tyreek Hill. Simmons swooped in and made a diving play on the ball before holding it up in the snow.
Simmons has had a great season for the team and the Broncos must prioritize re-signing him in the offseason.
