Peyton Manning and the Broncos won big over the Chiefs in an important AFC West matchup, 29-16.
After a shaky win over the Miami Dolphins last week, the Denver Broncos wanted to make a statement on the road at one of the toughest venues in the league. And on a chilly 21-degree night in Kansas City, they did just that, when Peyton Manning and the Broncos won a critical AFC West matchup over the Kansas City Chiefs, 29-16.
They are now alone on top of the AFC West and look prepared to clinch another division crown this season, while Kansas City dropped below San Diego in the standings. Here's what we learned.
1. Denver's defense is legit.
Following a loss to the St. Louis Rams and a close win over Miami, there were questions about Denver's ability to keep other teams out of the red zone, especially after losing Aqib Talib to a hamstring injury. Those questions were answered in the first quarter when Denver kept Alex Smith and the Kansas City offense on their heels. Denver had 122 yards in the first quarter; Kansas City had negative yards with no first downs.
Despite eventually allowing touchdowns to tight end Anthony Fasano and running back Jamaal Charles later in the game, Denver defenders like DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller kept up the pressure on Smith and the Chiefs' receivers (both Ware and Miller are among the NFL's top-ten in total sacks.) The Broncos defense played well in every phase of the game, including a fumble caused by Bradley Roby on the Chiefs' last chance to get the game back in hand. Smith had under 100 yards passing well into the fourth quarter -- he was forced out of the pocket and sacked five times. Kansas City turned over the ball three times, and was never able to finish badly-needed scoring drives.
2. Kansas City's defense might have some holes.
The Chiefs have one of the best pass defenses in the NFL, but as their game against the Broncos on Sunday showed, their rush defense isn't quite so good. Running back C.J. Anderson went wild against the Chiefs, rushing for more than 150 yards for the second straight week. That vaunted pass defense couldn't slow down Manning and receivers like Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas made big gains in the Kansas City secondary. Kansas City is in the top ten for sacks league-wide, but the rebuilt Broncos offensive line gave Manning plenty of time to check his receivers and make big passes to the outside. Kansas City was eventually able to slow down the Denver offense in the second half, but the damage was already done. The Broncos doubled the Chiefs in total yardage and in plays run, and it showed on the scoreboard.
3. How good is Denver, really?
The answer? We don't know. The Broncos looked far better against the Broncos than they did against the Dolphins, and the Chiefs are among the best in the league at home (just ask New England.) What's more, Kansas City will likely be the toughest test they'll face over the the next month. But this is still a Broncos team that looked pedestrian against the New England Patriots and Rams. Time will tell if this Broncos squad could win another AFC Championship.
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