It wasn’t pretty, but the KC Chiefs move to 11-1 with win over Broncos

The KC Chiefs didn’t play well on Sunday night against the Broncos but they still managed to squeak out a 22-16 victory.

That was an ugly win for the Kansas City Chiefs who made it 11 straight wins over the Denver Broncos dating back to Nov. 2015. The Broncos had every chance to win this game too, but Vic Fangio’s decision to punt on fourth down rather than go for it with just a few minutes left was baffling. You have to go for it against the champs, you just have to.

Fortunately, the Broncos punted and the Chiefs drained the clock, Harrison Butker converted on a long field goal to make it a six-point game, and Drew Lock threw his second pick of the night to ice the game. There was a lot wrong with this game, but the Chiefs still managed to win when it was all said and done.

Patrick Mahomes went 25-of-40 for 318 yards and a touchdown. He should have had two more touchdowns, but one that would have been to Tyreek Hill was ruled as a drop when it clearly looked like Hill caught it. Andy Reid did not challenge it. Later on, Hill had a long touchdown catch from Mahomes but Nick Allegretti was called for holding so it was called back.

While no one in the run game had a huge night, the run game as a whole went for over 100 yards with Le’Veon Bell leading the way with 40 yards off of 11 carries. Clyde Edwards-Helaire did not appear in the game.

Travis Kelce continued his dominance against the Broncos, grabbing eight catches for 136 yards and a touchdown. Hill had 58 yards and should have had two touchdowns, but the officiating in this game was… not good. I’m not someone who blames the refs when things don’t go my team’s way, but the officiating was brutally bad on Sunday night.

The KC Chiefs move to 11-1 with the win, but there’s a lot to be cleaned up here.

The defense did okay but did get gashed on the ground to the tune of 179 yards (though keeping their running backs out of the end zone). Lock didn’t have a great game, but he threw for two touchdowns while also tossing two interceptions including the game-sealing one. Both picks went to Tyrann Mathieu.

Being 11-1 is great, but the Steelers continue to win and that means the Chiefs can’t skip a beat if they want that No. 1 seed. Pittsburgh plays Washington on Monday in what could very well move them to 12-0. It’s frustrating that 11-1 isn’t good enough for the No. 1 seed, but that’s the name of the game.

A win is a win, but this one was definitely a gross outing and this kind of performance won’t fly in the playoffs (which they officially will be partaking in, as Sunday’s win clinched a playoff berth).