Kansas City Chiefs see AFC West lead slip away after loss to the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos backup quarterback Tim Tebow is throwing at 100 per cent after completing the first (and only) pass of his NFL career. Tebow's touchdown pass was one of two touchdowns for the rookie on
the day as the Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 49-29 on Sunday 14 November.
How it happened
The Broncos took control of the game early on scoring on their first four possessions of the game. After the Chiefs first three possessions ended with two punts and a missed field goal, with the Broncos
already leading 28-0 after Tebow rushed in a touchdown, quarterback Matt Cassel was sacked by linebacker Mario Haggan (who had three sacks on the day). Cassel fumbled the football which was then recovered by Jason Hunter, who ran the football back 75 yards
to put the Broncos up 35-0.
From their Cassel was almost flawless on the day leading the Chiefs on four scoring drives, including one before the end of the first half. Cassel even outpassed Kyle Orton, as he completed 33 of his 53
pass attempts for 469 yards and four touchdown passes.
The Chiefs outscored the Broncos 19-14 in the second half, but the overwhelming first-half lead that the Broncos had put together proved insurmountable.
What they're saying
Although Tebow has been praised for throwing his first ever pass in the NFL (a completion for a touchdown), it was Denver's starting quarterback Kyle Orton who was largely responsible for putting his team's
big early lead together as he threw a career-high four touchdown passes on the day.
"We didn't hurt ourselves, first and foremost," Orton told reporters after the game. "We've just been plagued by penalties and turnovers and bad football."
"Clean pants the whole game for me. I didn't get hit, I didn't get tackled," Orton said referring to several changes made to his offensive line which saw him avoid getting sacked for the entire game. "The
running backs had holes. It was great."
What it all means
The Chiefs had been leading their division the entire season, but with the loss now find themselves in a tie at 5-4 with the Oakland Raiders.
"We're 5-4 now," Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann said. "We blew a game in Houston. We blew a game in Oakland. We could be way out in front, but it's not what it is. We're tied for the AFC West and we have
work to do."
The Chiefs get set to take on the Arizona Cardinals at home next Sunday 21 November.
The Broncos have another big divisional matchup when they take on Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers on Monday night.
Tags: