Denver stun Chiefs, leave it late to go 2-0

Game review by Mark Brown

Who was it that said Dick Turpin wore a mask?

 

Another grind out in Kansas for the Broncos, however unlike the first game, things seem to be looking up for Manning and co and WOW what a finish.  It seems no one on the Broncos touchline heard the fat lady sing. 

 

The Chiefs raced in to and early 14-0 lead doing their best to whip a voracious home crowd in to a frenzy and with the Chiefs defense looking so strong, Denver were going to have to work hard if they wanted to break the NFL record of 13 straight divisional road games.

 

Manning still has some way to go to get back to the Manning of last term but his display last night will certainly make some of the doubters think twice.  Manning threw for 256 yards and three scores the last of which was to Emmanuel Sanders with 36 seconds remaining to tie the game. With overtime looming, Kansas lined up for the scrimmage and on the play that followed, watched in horror as Jamaal Charles was stripped by Denver CB Bradley Roby and he raced in to the end zone for a 21 yard game winning touchdown.

 

It was a bit unfair to be honest as the Chiefs defense had been resolute all night and QB Alex Smith threw for a respectable 191 yards and from the moment they went 14 points up a Denver win looked extremely unlikely and we will only know in the next game if Kansas are going to suffer a hangover from the manner of this defeat. 

 

During the game Manning joined legend Brett Favre on 70,000 passing yards but was quick to pay homage to his new offense by telling reporters “I’m really proud of our young offense – no poise or communication issues” He was also very quick to point out how well the Chiefs defense played.  “Their defense is so much better than last year.  They are so stout against the run and made it hard for us all night.  We just had to keep plugging away”

 

Chiefs running back Knile Davies, clearly devastated in defeat said later “We thought we had it won but unfortunately they made the touchdown and we couldn’t finish”

 

Personally, I felt this was a nip and tuck kind of game, littered with mistakes, great runs, clever plays and lots of tactical nouse and either team was going to be unlucky to get the loss.  However to lose it in such dramatic circumstances is a killer but as the saying goes “that’s football.”

 

Next game for the Broncos is a trip to the Detroit Lions on the 28^th and for the Chiefs it’s a visit to the Green Bay Packers on the 29^th.