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Around the AFC West, Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs surge ahead in the AFC West

By Ellen Mathis

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a left-handed pass for a completion while he is hit by linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a left-handed pass for a completion while he is hit by linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Denver Broncos mascot Thunder is ridden onto the field by Ann Judge before a game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Denver Broncos mascot Thunder is ridden onto the field by Ann Judge before a game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos took on the Kansas City Chiefs in primetime on Monday Night Football in Mile High. This was a thriller, an instant-classic in the annals of the Chiefs-Denver rivalry. Case Keenum and the questionable Broncos defense were ready to send a message to the NFL. Patrick Mahomes and the high-powered Chiefs offense were ready to send a message as well. Denver took an early three point lead followed by a Chiefs field goal.

At the end of the first quarter, the game was tied 3-3. The Chiefs looked off for much of the first half. Travis Kelce had multiple drops, Patrick Mahomes wasn’t sharp. Tyreek Hill’s timing looked off. Sammy Watkins hurt his hamstring. This looked like a game the Chiefs were going to lose. At halftime, after Mahomes’ ran for an 8 yard touchdown, Royce Freeman bulldozed 14 yards into the end zone. Add another Broncos’ field goal, and the Broncos led at halftime 13-10.

The Chiefs tied it up with a field goal after half, but the Broncos surged ahead again with a touchdown run from UDFA phenom Phillip Lindsay. At the end of the 3rd quarter, the Broncos led 20-13. With 12:47 left in the game, the Broncos pulled even farther ahead with a field goal sending their lead to 10 points.

This was the moment many had been waiting for. How would Mahomes handle adversity? Well, turns out, just fine. Mahomes took the team on his back and drove down the field, ending in a 2 yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce. The Chiefs defense forced a stop and Mahomes, again, drove the Chiefs down the field ending in a 4 yard touchdown run from Kareem Hunt. The Chiefs led 27-23 with 1:39 left in the game. Keenum took the field and was unable to score a touchdown leading the Chiefs to their fourth win of the season (and remaining undefeated) and sending the Broncos to 2-2.

Broncos fans are furious over a missed delay of game call saying this made the difference in the game. However, at the end of the day, they had opportunities to win the game. Keenum missed what would have been a game winning touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas and the Denver defense could not get Patrick Mahomes to the ground. This was a tough loss for the Broncos, but showed that they are a contender. Their defense played tough essentially shutting down Travis Kelce in the first half. However, the Chiefs had just too many weapons in Mahomes and Kareem Hunt.

Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman look like the real deal. They are a tough one-two punch for the Denver offense that will help Keenum down the road because as much as Denver would like to believe that Keenum is the franchise quarterback they needed, he is only good, not great.

Denver’s right tackle Jared Veldheer left in the first quarter with a knee injury. The Broncos head to the New York Jets on Sunday to take on Sam Darnold. The Broncos will play three of their next four games on the road, including one in Kansas City. It will be interesting to see how they handle the road games. Game time is 12:00 p.m.

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