Kansas City Chiefs: Five Reasons For Loss To Broncos

Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Negative #1: The Chiefs Failed To Finish The First Half

The KC Chiefs were up 14-7 with possession and 2:31 to go in the first half. Good position to win the first half, right?

Denver had just driven the ball down your throat, 80 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown. The Chiefs defense was winded. The Broncos were out of timeouts.

That’s poor football. On the coach and mostly on the quarterback. As bad of situational football as you’ll see at this level, and not acceptable from a 10-year veteran quarterback.

Instead of protecting that 7-point lead into halftime (and getting the ball to start the next half), head coach Andy Reid dials up pass plays on first and second downs at Kansas City’s own 20-yard line, and the game changed in an instant.

On 2nd-down, quarterback Alex Smith threw an interception on a four-yard curl route of sorts intended for wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.

Smith made one read and got jumped by cornerback Aqib Talib. Had Smith looked left, it appeared wide receiver Albert Wilson was open. Had Smith laid down and done nothing, the Chiefs have 3rd-down at the two-minute warning and likely punt the ball away with about 60 seconds left in the half.

That’s poor football. On the coach and mostly on the quarterback. As bad of situational football as you’ll see at this level, and not acceptable from a 10-year veteran quarterback.

That play changed the outcome of the game as much as any. The Broncos capitalized with a touchdown. 14-14.

Finish the half, Chiefs.

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