Recap: Broncos given 29-13 beat-down by Chiefs, Peyton Manning throws four interceptions

 

What a disastrous game for the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon.

Especially on the offensive end. Peyton Manning was miserably bad, throwing three interceptions in the first half as the Kansas City Chiefs took the 19-0 lead into halftime.

Early in the second half, Manning threw his fourth interception and then was pulled in favor of fourth-year player Brock Osweiler. Osweiler may have led the team to 13 points, but threw his own pick on the way to a 29-13 loss to the division rival Chiefs.

RUNDOWN

On the Broncos third play from scrimmage, Manning was intercepted when he underthrew Vernon Davis on a deep seam route. Charcandrick West, the Chiefs starting running back, knifed through Denver’s defense like a hot knife through butter for a touchdown. Kansas City scored again on their second drive, a 48-yard field goal from Cairo. A three-and-out and then another interception – one which wasn’t Manning’s fault but Emmanuel Sanders‘ for falling down – and the Chiefs followed with another field goal. Cairo booted it through the uprights from 49 yards out for the 13-0 lead. Two drives later, Manning threw his third interception, this one right to linebacker Josh Mauga as he tried to hit Demaryius Thomas on a deep crossing route. It was a horrible throw and led to yet another field goal for the 16-0 Chiefs lead. Yet another field goal and Kansas City was up 19-0 at halftime.

At the break, the Broncos had three first downs, three punts and three interceptions. You can’t make those numbers up.

Denver was so desperate, they used an onside kick to start the half and failed. The Broncos punted once more and then Manning threw his fourth interception of the game. Then, he was pulled in favor of Brock Osweiler. Down 22-0, Osweiler actually played decently, especially on his second drive. The Broncos, helped by penalties, moved into the red zone. The drive almost stalled until they went for it on 4^th and 10 and Osweiler threw an interception to Eric Berry in the end zone.

Denver finally turned it on with Ronnie Hillman running a touchdown in – the two-point conversion failed – and then Osweiler connected with Andre Caldwell as the Broncos lost 29-13.

STAR OF THE GAME

Von Miller is the star of the game with a sack of Alex Smith and two total tackles.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Ronnie Hillman’s touchdown run was the play of the day because it finally ended the Broncos scoring drought on the day, with 5:43 seconds to play.

TURNING POINT

The turning point came when Peyton Manning was pulled from the contest. Sure, the Broncos were down 22-0 when Manning was benched, but there was plenty of time,

BY THE NUMBERS

Peyton Manning went 5-20 for 35 passing yards and four interceptions. It was one of – possibly the worst – performance of Manning’s tenure in Denver.

Osweiler finished the game 14-24 for 146 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Denver’s offense was terrible, converting on 3-14 (21 percent) third down attempts while totaling only 221 yards and having to punt six times.

The Broncos avoided the shutout which extends their streak to 365 games, second most all-time to the San Francisco 49ers (304).

Denver’s defense played very well all day long, holding the Chiefs to five field goals despite the turnovers.

LASTING IMPACT

Denver has now lost two straight games and opened the door for the Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs. The Broncos are now 7-2 with both the Chiefs and Raiders at 4-5. Manning’s terrible play also brings into question how long the Broncos can play with him at quarterback.

WHAT’S NEXT

Next up for the Broncos is a road game in Chicago against the 4-5 Bears and former Broncos head coach John Fox.