The Kansas City Chiefs had nothing to play for in their Week 18 battle with the Denver Broncos and apparently, no reason to score either as their second loss of the season ended in a 38-0 blowout. Quarterback Carson Wentz is the first Chiefs QB to be shutout for four quarters since 2012 when Brady Quinn’s Chiefs fell to the Oakland Raiders 13-0.
Since the Chiefs clinched the AFC West and home-field advantage in the AFC Playoffs, Kansas City unleashed their backups to see what they could bring to the table going into next season – it wasn’t much. The Chiefs finish the 2024 regular season with a 15-2 and are awaiting the start of the divisional round to kickoff on Saturday, January 18 and Sunday, January 19.
Denver began pummeling Kansas City early in the first quarter. Quarterback Bo Nix led Denver to consecutive scoring drives on their first two possessions. The first was a short pass to Marvin Mims, who raced his way upfield for a 32-yard score to finish a nine-play drive that went 70 yards. The second possession went for 11 plays, 85 yards, and was capped off with a ten-yard pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton.
In the second quarter, Denver’s third possession lasted for 20 plays and took 11:05 off the clock as the Broncos took their time moving down the field, the drive finished with a three-yard touchdown grab by wide receiver Devaughn Vale to increase Denver’s lead to 21-0.
Kansas City would attempt a 51-yard field goal after their next possession stalled after 13 plays that went 42 yards to the Denver 33-yard line. Butker’s kick had the distance but sliced to the left, missing the post. Denver responded with a field goal of their own five plays later as Will Lutz drove a 33-yarder through to make the score 24-0 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Denver began another scoring drive on their second possession of the period with 9:04 left to play. During their 12-play drive, Nix converted three 3rd down situations including a 3rd and 7 that resulted in Mims securing a seven-yard touchdown pass.
After forcing Kansas City to punt, Denver went back to work as Nix hooked up with Lil’Jordan Humphrey for a 17-yard completion to open the fourth quarter. Nix’s pass advanced the Broncos from their 48 to the Chiefs’ 35-yard line. Eight plays later from the one-yard line, running back Audric Estime took a handoff and sliced his way across the goal line for Denver’s final touchdown drive.
Denver did not score on their final possession and Kansas City was forced to punt on their final possessions as Denver walked away with a 38-0 victory to clinch the final spot in the AFC playoff picture. They will play against the 2 seed Buffalo Bills while the Chiefs will continue to rest up and await the winners of Wildcard weekend.
