Yahoo Sports Ugly result for Chiefs’ backups vs. (now) playoff-bound Broncos. Here’s the report card
The Chiefs had played well in rest-the-starters games in previous years, but not this time.
They were taken to the woodshed Sunday afternoon by the Denver Broncos 38-0, who needed the victory to earn their first playoff spot since 2015.
The Broncos, especially quarterback Bo Nix, came out hot and never let up in beating the Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High for the second straight season.
The shutout was the first against the Chiefs since 2012, when they fell at the Oakland Raiders 12-0.
KC STAR OF THE GAME
Wide receiver Nikko Remigio turned a pair of receptions from Carson Wentz into 48 yards, and that was about it from an offense that was sitting on 91 total yards midway through the fourth quarter.
Next: As the top seed in the AFC, the Chiefs earned the first round bye in the postseason and won’t play until the Divisional Round on Jan. 18 or 19. That game will be played at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
REPORT CARD
Passing offense: F
The game-day rust for Carson Wentz was obvious. It didn’t help that starting WRs Xavier Worthy and DeAndre Hopkins were sitting, but the Chiefs could get nothing working in their favor.
D.J. Humphries played in his second game for the Chiefs at left tackle, and he’s still looking to get up to speed. Nik Bonitto flew by him for a third-quarter sack. Will the Chiefs use Humphries in the playoffs or continue their recent trend of moving guard Joe Thuney over to tackle?
QB Chris Oladokun made his NFL debut, subbing for Wentz in the fourth quarter and fumbling on his second snap. But C.J. Hanson was there for the Chiefs’ recovery.
Rushing offense: F
After the first series, the interior of the offensive line switched from All-Pro Bowl threesome of Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith and Thuney to Kingsley Suamataia (left guard), Hunter Nourzad (center) and Hanson (right guard).
Carson Steele got the start at running back and the Chiefs had 5 rushing plays on their first five possessions. One of those carries was an emergency flip to tight end Noah Gray.
Passing defense: F
Nix’s 17th straight completion to start the game was, well, something. The ball struck two Chiefs — Nazeeh Johnson and Keith Taylor — before landing in the arms of Vele Devaughn for the rookie QB’s third touchdown.
Nix was terrific, and the Broncos’ game plan of bleeding the Chiefs with mostly underneath stuff was the right call. But too little pressure from the KC pass rush made it easier for Nix, who played pitch and catch with his receivers throughout the day and enjoyed his best game of the season.
Rushing defense: F
Who knows how the game unfolds if the Chiefs stop a fourth-and-1 from the Denver 39 on the Broncos’ second possession. Instead, Nix powered ahead to keep alive the hosts’ second touchdown drive.
Among the new Chiefs faces up front was Marlon Tuipulotu, the former Philadelphia Eagle who played in his second game for the Chiefs.
Not many highlights for the Chiefs, but defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah provided one when he fought off a block to bring down Jaleel McLaughlin for a 4-yard loss in the third quarter. That led to the Broncos’ first punt of the day.
Special teams: C
A nice day for Matt Araiza, whose punts got so much hang time that the dangerous Marvin Mims Jr. couldn’t return one.
Harrison Butker missed his second field-goal attempt since returning from an injury in Week 15, this one from 51 yards late in the first half. A concern? We’ll see.
