In a battle of two bitter division rivals with 7-3 records fighting to keep pace with the 9-2 Oakland Raiders the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs fought till the end, needing every second of overtime. In a rollercoaster game, right to the very end, the team who had the ball last prevailed as the Chiefs edged the Broncos 30-27 on a field goal that bounced off the left upright and found its way in.
At its inception, this game was dominated by the defenses with both teams trading punts for the first eight series. Chiefs’ Justin Houston was wreaking havoc early and shutting down the Broncos offense.
While the two teams exchanged punts, the importance of special teams play was heightened and Denver was guilty of two holding penalties that lost them significant yards. While on the return side; pinned back in his own 10-yard line Jordan Norwood muffed a punt to pin the Broncos offense at their own 5.
Two plays later, on 3rd-and-7, Justin Houston came through blitzing between left tackle and guard taking Trevor Siemian to the ground in his own end zone. It was only fitting that the first score of the game would come from a defensive unit with KC going up first, 2-0. On the ensuing kick, Chiefs rookie star returner, Tyreek Hill, punished the Broncos with his world class speed quickly returning the 66-yard kick for an 86-yard touchdown.
Despite perfect defense, Denver was down 9-0 in the span of 10 seconds of actual game clock. Siemian and the offense responded, sparked by a big completion to Emmanuel Sanders that became an even bigger gain with a targeting flag on KC but had to settle for a field goal to end the half.
With the opening drive of the second half, Siemian and his troops strung together a fine five-minute drive for 12 plays and 63 yards, capitalizing with a piece of brilliance from the Denver quarterback. Siemian, flushed out of the pocket by Houston, ran to the left sideline then spun out of pressure all the way back to the right sideline. To top it off, he delivered a dart to Jordan Taylor for a toe-tapping TD. It was a phenomenal play by the young QB who showed his playmaking ability, putting Denver ahead 10-9.
But special teams mistakes would haunt the Broncos once again. First, a special teams flag on a field goal attempt by the Chiefs would extend a drive in the red zone leading to another Tyreek Hill touchdown on a Wildcat formation fake reverse in which he beat Miller to the corner for the score.
Soon afterward, another muffed punt by Norwood, this time recovered by KC, put the Broncos in trouble but the ‘D’ prevailed clamping down on the Chiefs to force a punt. That’s when Siemian came of age; from his own 13-yard line he flung it deep hitting Emmanuel Sanders perfectly in stride for a 64-yard completion. On the very next second down he’d again hit Sanders deep for a 35-yard touchdown, giving Denver some big plays they desperately needed and the 17-16 lead.
Siemian’s night wouldn’t end there as after yet another defensive stop he took the offense from their own 3rd-yard line to convert a huge 3rd-and-11, finding new tight end A.J. Derby for 16 yards. Shuffling out of the pocket No. 13 came alive, scrambling for 14 yards and then on 3rd-and-2 completing a throw to Bennie Fowler for a seemingly backbreaking 76-yard touchdown with 3 minutes left.
That’s when the defensive bout became an offensive explosion. Down 24-16 Kansas City wouldn’t go away. Assisted by five defensive penalties on the final drive, Alex Smith drove the offense down on a 13-play, 75-yard drive. Just when it seemed KC was out of time a review awarded Hill a TD with 12 seconds left as he fell and re-established possession in the end zone, instead of being down right outside. With the two-point conversion, overtime was upon us.
The Broncos won the toss and the offense came out moving the chains again. Siemian converted another couple clutch third downs – the 3rd-and-7 play for 22 yards on the run showing beautiful touch to Devontae Booker was crucial. But Denver stalled in the red zone having to settle for three points.
The Chiefs on their end drove it down to the Broncos 20-yard line where Denver managed to force a field goal to extend the game once again.
With only 4:19 left in OT Siemian again had his team moving down the field but stalled out on a 4th and 10 with 1:08 remaining, giving Gary Kubiak a lose-lose decision to make; attempt a 61-yard field goal or essentially play for the tie by putting. Kubiak opted for the former and Brandon McManus missed wide left pulling the kick.
With a short field, Smith drove down and got into great position to tie the game with a crucial completion to Travis Kelce for 16 yards. Cairo Santos bounced the 34-yard kick off the post for the miraculous win, marking a back and forth game with eight lead changes.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Trevor Siemian had a true coming of age game under as tough a test as there is against an inspired Kansas City Chiefs defense. With little help from his running game and offensive line, the Broncos starter went off in the second half, finishing the game with 368 yards, 59-percent of his passes and adding three TDs.
Though No. 13 didn’t come up with the big OT play he had some important third downs. His deep throws to Sanders were spectacular and his footwork in escaping and navigating the pocket where impressive to see.
Siemian put the offense on his back in a huge game and came out as a big winner with a career-defining type performance.
PLAY OF THE GAME
In a game that had lots of great plays on either side; with Justin Houston and Von Miller matching spectacular performances as outside rusher, Tyreek Hill showing off world class speed and Siemian making clutch plays one stood above all for both importance and level of difficulty.
The Siemian scramble and pivot stood out above all.
.@TrevorSiemian workin' some MAGIC!
Somehow finds Taylor for TOUCHDOWN! #Broncos #KCvsDEN https://t.co/tLrkxRH3Uo
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) November 28, 2016
QUOTE OF THE GAME
Gary Kubiak – “We are going to try and win around here. That’s why I made that decision.”
BY THE NUMBERS
7 to 8- This was a violent game with lots of big hits. The two men standing behind center took the brunt of it. The Broncos ‘D’ out hit the opposing QB 7-to-8 in a great game for pass rushing particularly early on.
10.8 – Trevor Siemian’s lack of deep passes has been scrutinized a lot this season. His 10.8 yard for completion average in this game was impressive and exactly what the Denver offense needs.
155-14 – in a nail-biting match that saw these two teams playing to the death, the Chiefs had one big advantage on punt and kick returns, outgaining Denver by 141 yards. While the Broncos fumbled one punt Hill returned the safety kick for a touchdown this was a major difference in the game.
LASTING IMPACT
This loss is big in the AFC West divisional race. Not only is Denver now a game behind the Chiefs but Kansas City now has two crucial head-to-head away wins against the Raiders and Broncos. Even worse Denver is now two games behind the Raiders, who continue to win.
The team had some big play from the defense who improved significantly vs the run and played better with a healthier secondary. Siemian’s big performance is also one to work off of. So while it’s a negative result there are some positives to take from it.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Broncos have a quick turnaround as they’ll have to travel out east next Sunday to Jacksonville facing the Jaguars in an early eastern time zone game. The Jacksonville game is the first of a two-game road trip – they’ll play the Tennessee Titans in two weeks. After a relatively easy road trip, Denver will have some determining face-offs with other AFC playoff contenders, taking on the New England Patriots and Raiders at home and then having to play the Chiefs for a Christmas game at Arrowhead Stadium.
After this loss, these all become must-win games to stay in the hunt for an AFC West title.
