Advertisement

Five things that stood out about Kansas City Chiefs’ last-second win vs. Broncos

We’re two weeks shy of needing three hands to count the Chiefs’ victory total.

Because of the hand of Leo Chenal.

The Chiefs beat the Broncos 16-14 on the game’s final play, a sea of red jerseys breaking through the line to block the game-winning field goal try.

Undefeated, the Chiefs remain.

By the slimmest of margins.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) runs for yardage in the first quarter during and NFL game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) runs for yardage in the first quarter during and NFL game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Let’s get to it. Here are five observations from immediately after Sunday’s game:

1. The blocked field goal

Well, we had to start with the end.

Over the course of the past 10 1/2 months that have left GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium wondering about the what-if.

The Broncos will be wondering about this one for awhile.

They played the final drive to perfection — after Harrison Butker gave them a short field, and the Chiefs botched the usage of their timeouts.

But one thing wasn’t perfect: The blocking up front on a field goal. The Broncos shaded toward Justin Reid, who got them once last year, and Chenal bulled over the line to get his paw on the football.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis (56), linebacker Leo Chenal (54) and safety Justin Reid (20) attempt to block a field goal by Denver Broncos place kicker Wil Lutz (3) in the fourth quarter during an NFL game on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis (56), linebacker Leo Chenal (54) and safety Justin Reid (20) attempt to block a field goal by Denver Broncos place kicker Wil Lutz (3) in the fourth quarter during an NFL game on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chiefs keep winning games, but they keep winning them in a variety of ways — on a toe, a game-winning kick, an overtime carry from a player who was on his couch as the season began and now a field goal block. It isn’t only Patrick Mahomes anymore. That’s the sign of a good team, though the Broncos reminded us that good team has some flaws.

But if they can make this unbeaten streak last a bit longer — and the trip to Buffalo next week will offer their toughest test to date — this field goal block will go down in Chiefs lore.

2. The last ‘stand

The Chiefs’ defense has been exceptional this year, but by exceptional, I mean with one exception:

The end of games.

For the second straight week, the Chiefs’ defense had a chance to seal a win, and for the second straight week, it failed.

Well, kind of. The offense bailed them out a week ago. The blocked field goal bailed them out Sunday.

Kansas City Chiefs safety Nazeeh Johnson (13) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) in the first half on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs safety Nazeeh Johnson (13) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) in the first half on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Broncos mustered only 25 yards on their initial 14 plays of the second half — covering three possessions — but drove downfield with relative ease to set up the the game-winning field goal attempt as time expired.

It would be one thing if the defense had been forced onto the field for a high volume of snaps, but that hasn’t been the case either of the last two weeks.

Whatever it is, it’s a bizarre trend that has to reverse course ... because the Chiefs aren’t exactly blowing teams out.

3. Patrick Mahomes on the ankle

Mahomes tweaked his ankle in each of the last two weeks, enough that he was visibly hobbled in the second halves of those games.

He didn’t change his approach Sunday.

Well, he couldn’t change his approach Sunday. Mahomes was forced to scramble frequently — the Broncos pressured him throughout the game, including eight of his initial 15 drop-backs.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs for yardage in the second quarter during and NFL game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs for yardage in the second quarter during and NFL game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

That’s customary for Denver, which leads the league in pass-run win rate, a statistic tracked by ESPN Analytics. The Broncos pressured Mahomes on 20 dropbacks and sacked him four times.

The KC offensive line has had better days, but Mahomes didn’t help the cause: He appeared in no hurry to take advantage of clean pockets before they eventually collapsed. He also missed two open touchdowns, which might’ve been the top item on this list if not for how the game ended.

There was enough blame for everyone for the offense dysfunction, which prominently includes ...

4. The situation at left tackle

The Kingsley Suamataia encore went as poorly as the initial set.

Or worse.

At last, the Chiefs returned to Suamataia at left tackle, though only because they had no choice.

Starting left tackle Wanya Morris tweaked his knee in the opening minute of the second quarter, sending Suamataia, their second-round rookie, into the game early.

He had such a rough go that he encountered the same fate — a fourth-quarter benching.

On Suamataia’s first drive at left tackle, Broncos linebacker Nick Bonitto beat him on the edge — without Suamataia even getting a hand on him. He did it again in the third quarter — letting Bonitto hit Mahomes without even touching him.

Kansas City Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks (21) embraces cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace (30) after the Chiefs’ 16-14 victory over the Denver Broncos during an NFL game on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks (21) embraces cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace (30) after the Chiefs’ 16-14 victory over the Denver Broncos during an NFL game on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

When Suamataia got benched in Week 2, you could identify plays during which he lost his technique and reacted with panic.

But this was no reaction, just casually getting beat on the edge.

Morris, who sat out the middle quarters with the injury, returned in the fourth quarter.

If it wasn’t clear before, it should be now: It’s a project at left tackle, and that’s not a position at which you want to have such a significant question.

5. The fourth-down decision

Finally, some fourth-down aggression.

It worked, too.

Andy Reid, who has been among the most conservative coaches in the NFL on fourth-down decisions, kept the offense on the field at the end of the first half — and the Chiefs turned three points into seven. On fourth-and-goal, Mahomes hit Travis Kelce on a quick route from the inside for their lone touchdown.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce squares off against Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones in the first quarter Sunday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce squares off against Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones in the first quarter Sunday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

The decision paid off, but it would’ve been the right call even if it hadn’t. The analytics showed a 4.3% improved chance of winning the game by going for it rather than kicking the field goal.

The result was there.

But more within his control at the moment, the process was correct.