Chiefs-Broncos: 4 winners and three losers from the Week 10 win

In response to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ defensive deal with Mike Pennel, linebacker Leo Chenal knew precisely what was going to occur on the final play of Sunday afternoon’s 16-14 victory over the Denver Broncos. So we are able to add two extra expertise to Chenal’s resume: blocking last-second subject objectives and predicting the long run.

The remainder of us had been shocked to see a walk-off subject objective develop into a walk-off blocked kick.

Earlier than that, the Chiefs had loads of struggles — particularly towards the Broncos’ protection.

Listed here are a couple of gamers who stood out.

Winners

Tight finish Travis Kelce: The person who now has extra landing receptions than every other participant in franchise historical past, Kelce was as soon as once more the security valve Mahomes wanted. One other seven catches for 58 yards — and his 76th profession landing — had been ok to get the job achieved towards a tricky protection.

The whole Chiefs particular groups unit: The first cause this workforce is now 9-0 is that Dave Toub’s crew blew up the Bronco’s potential game-winning subject objective. Pennel and Chenal — together with Jack Cochrane, Mike Danna and George Karlaftis — destroyed Denver’s blocking unit. It seems to be like Chenal will get credit score for the block, however it might have been any of these guys. Was this a particular play Toub known as in the appropriate second, or it was a “Varsity Blues” second when the massive man cleared the best way for the athletic man to make a play? We don’t know. However nevertheless it occurred, it was a heart-stopping ending to a sport Kansas Metropolis most likely ought to have misplaced. It wasn’t simply this play, both. On the finish of the primary half, Mecole Hardman almost returned a missed subject objective for a landing.

Operating again Kareem Hunt: On this sport, speeding yards had been exhausting to return by. Hunt had one 10-yard run. His different 13 carries went for 25 yards complete. However he did step up within the passing sport, main all Chiefs with 65 receiving yards on seven catches. He continues to be a invaluable chain-mover for Kansas Metropolis — and confirmed quite a lot of toughness on Sunday, preventing by ache to inflict much more.

Linebacker Nick Bolton: In one of many greatest moments from early within the sport, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo known as Bolton’s quantity — and the Missouri alumnus delivered. He exploded into the backfield, chasing quarterback Bo Nix straight again for a 16-yard loss to knock the Broncos out of subject objective vary. In an in depth sport, that mattered loads. Bolton and the remainder of the linebackers had been large in Sunday’s win.

Losers

The entire offensive line. Backup left deal with Kingsley Suamataia had zero likelihood to decelerate Nik Bonitto as he gave up a sack and three quarterback hits. He was the obvious difficulty when Wayna Morris was out — however not the one one. Mahomes was sacked 4 instances (and hit 9 instances) after being sacked 4 instances in Week 9. Jawaan Taylor, Trey Smith, the working backs… everybody had a chunk of the issue. It’s easy: for this offense to achieve its potential, the cross safety must be higher. And we’d like for Mahomes to make it to the playoffs, too.

Cornerback Trent McDuffie: The All-Professional had an extended afternoon towards Courtland Sutton and the Broncos’ offense. The Denver wideout gained with quickness and physicality as he logged six catches for 70 yards and a landing. It’s uncommon to see anybody discover house towards McDuffie, so we’ll take into account this efficiency a fluke.

Large receiver Xavier Worthy: We’ll hold predicting the rookie’s breakout, however the connection isn’t taking place simply but. Worthy caught simply one in every of his 4 targets for 11 yards. What’s worse is that if he and Mahomes had been on the identical web page, not less than two of these different targets might have been touchdowns.

Word: Making use of the labels “winners” and “losers just isn’t meant to be a judgment on the expertise or character of any of those gamers. It’s only a easy strategy to grade their efficiency in a single sport. No disrespect is meant.