The Kansas City Chiefs are returning home with their second loss of the 2023 campaign, ending a dominant 16-game winning streak over division rival Denver following a brutal 24-9 defeat at Mile High Stadium.
Since allowing Miami to put up 70 points on them in Week 3, Denver has turned things around defensively and had their most dominant game of the season in their second of two meetings against Kansas City. The Chiefs and Broncos met two weeks ago, and Denver forced Patrick Mahomes and the Chief offense to go 1-5 in the red zone. On Sunday, Denver held them touching the end zone once and forced them to settle for three field goals. Week 8 is the first time the Chiefs were prevented from scoring a touchdown since their 27-3 loss to Tennessee in 2021.
Mahomes finished Week 8, going 25 of 39 for 243 yards and two interceptions. On the other sideline, Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson completed 14 of 21 passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns. Denver relied heavily on their rushing attack. Javonte Williams finished with 27 carries for 85 yards and was on the receiving end of one of Wilson’s three touchdown passes.
In the first quarter, Denver scored on their opening drive after their defense forced the Chiefs to punt. Wilson led an 11-play drive from the Chiefs’ 39-yard line thanks to a Marvin Mims 31-yard punt return. On 2nd-and-four, from the Kansas City four-yard line, Williams took a handoff up the middle and across the goal line to take an early 7-0 lead.
On their second possession, Kansas City earned a new set of downs, converting 3rd and 13 on a 27-yard connection from Mahomes to wide receiver Justin Watson. Seven plays later, Kansas City entered another third-down situation from the Denver three-yard line. Mahomes completed a short pass to Rashee Rice, but he was tackled instantly by linebacker Baron Browning for a loss of a yard. The Chiefs settled for a 23-yard field goal by Harrison Butker.
After forcing the Broncos to punt at the start of the second quarter, Kansas City returned to the field and converted on second down with a 13-yard completion from Mahomes to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. After a defensive holding foul on Denver gave the Chiefs a free five yards, Mahomes looked Valdes-Scantling’s way again, but the play ended in a turnover as MVS was hit by linebacker Josey Jewell, who forced the fumble. Four plays later, Wilson hit wide receiver Jerry Jeudy for an 11-yard touchdown strike to jump ahead 14-3.
On their next possession, Kansas City turned the football over again as Mahomes attempted a pass for tight end Travis Kelce, but the pass was picked off defensive back Ja’Quan Millian and set the Bronco offense up at the Chiefs’ 48-yard line.
Kansas City’s defense stepped up, however, and prevented the Broncos from going very far. After failing to convert on 3rd and two, Denver kept their offense on the field on fourth down. Wilson dropped back and attempted to roll to his right before scrambling for the first down but fumbled the ball as he stumbled out of bounds short of the first. Kansas City got the ball back on downs at their own 40 with 8:26 left in the first half.
After a short pass to Rice went for a 39-yard gain to the Denver 21, the Chiefs slowed down upon entering the red zone. On 3rd and two, Jerick McKinnon took a handoff but was met at the line for a three-yard loss. Kansas City scored three more points from a 34-yard Harrison Butker field goal.
Denver’s next drive ended in seven plays after Wilson was sacked by defensive end Mike Danna on 3rd and two. Nine plays later, Kansas City turned the ball back over as the Denver pass rush reached Mahomes for the sack and caused him to lose the football.
After traveling 16 yards upfield, Wilson was sacked and stripped by defensive end George Karlaftis to get the ball back for Kansas City. The Chiefs ended the half by getting within range for Butker to nail a 56-yard field goal before halftime.
Denver got the ball to open the second half and held onto it for most of the third quarter. On 3rd and five, Wilson converted on a 23-yard completion to wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Five plays later, the Chiefs stopped the Broncos by sacking Wilson on 3rd and five, but a defensive holding foul on L’Jarius Sneed gave Denver a new set of downs at the Kansas City 24-yard line.
Denver advanced to the Chiefs’ 13-yard line but looked at another third-down situation. Wilson dropped back, looking to pass, but was sacked by Karlaftis and Charles Omenihu for a seven-yard loss. From the 20-yard line, the Broncos lined up for a 38-yard field goal, but safety Justin Reid blocked the kick.
Kansas City got the ball back at their 27 but was forced to punt after ten plays in the fourth quarter.
Denver’s opening drive in the fourth ended in a punt after 14 plays; however, the Broncos got the ball back as kick returner Mecole Hardman muffed the punt and gave Wilson’s offense a short field in front of them. Four plays later, Denver extended their lead when Wilson found a wide-open Sutton in the end zone for the touchdown.
Down 21-9 with 10:33 left in the fourth quarter, Kansas City cruised up the field until they entered deep into Broncos territory. On 3rd and two at the Denver 26, Mahomes’ pass for Kelce fell incomplete, but Kansas City kept their offense on the field to attempt a fourth down conversion. Mahomes looked deep for Sky Moore in the end zone, but the second-yard receiver lost track of the ball, and the Chiefs turned the ball over on down.
Luckily, Kansas City got the ball back after their defense prevented Denver from moving the sticks, and Karlaftis registered his third sack on Wilson to force the Broncos to punt.
Unfortunately, Kansas City didn’t do much with the ball, as Mahomes was sacked on consecutive plays before throwing his second interception. Seven plays later, Denver scored three more points off a Wil Lutz field goal to seal their first win over Kansas City since 2015.
