The Chiefs are mostly to blame for the last-second loss to the Broncos

After their bye week, Kansas City Chiefs they should have looked refreshed, refined and ready to regain control of the AFC West. Instead, they entered Mile High and played like a team still in neutral. The result was a crushing 22-19 road loss that the Denver Broncos. Will Lutz sealed it with a 35-yard field goal as time expired.

Reality check

The Chiefs’ second straight loss dropped them to 5-5. It’s their worst record this late in the season since Patrick Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback. Kansas City’s offense lasted most of the afternoon. They were undone by penalties, a costly interception in the red zone and misses on key third downs. The defense held up for most of the first half, but faltered late. That allowed Bo Nix to get Denver within field goal range on the final possession of the game.

For a team chasing its 10th straight AFC West title, the loss was a heavy blow. More than that, it is self-inflicted. The Chiefs just displayed some undisciplined play and questionable decision making that made the job too easy for the Broncos.

Here, we’ll try to look at and discuss the Kansas City mayors who are the most guilty their Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Patrick Mahomes wasn’t sharp

Of course, Mahomes is the most gifted quarterback in football. He has earned the benefit of the doubt countless times. Still, even the greats have bad days. This was one of the Mahomes’ worst outings in recent memory.

Since the opening series, Mahomes has looked a step away. He threw deep routes to Marquise Brown and other receivers, missed throws from Travis Kelce in the clock and forced passes into double coverage that had no chance of success. The most damaging moment came in the third quarter. Then he threw an interception in the red zone that killed a promising drive and turned the momentum of the game.

Denver’s defense deserves a lot of credit. They masked the coverage and forced Mahomes into uncomfortable decisions. However, his internal clock seemed off all afternoon. He took unnecessary sacks, hesitated on checkdowns and couldn’t establish a rhythm against light pressure. The Broncos didn’t have to blitz often. They just set Mahomes up for mistakes.

Andy Reid is questionable playing

It’s rare to criticize future Hall of Famer Andy Reid. He is known for his offensive innovations. Still, when his team looks this undisciplined after a bye week, control is fair game. Reid’s game plan against Denver just didn’t make sense.

The Broncos dared Kansas City to run the football. They flashed the light boxes and threw the linebackers into coverage. Still, Reid refused to conform. Despite that Kareem Hunt finding early success with runs between the plays, the Chiefs abandoned the ground game at critical moments. The result was a one-dimensional offense that allowed Denver to sit back and anticipate passing routes.

Reid also mishandled key downs late in the fourth quarter. Remember, the Chiefs were on third and two near midfield with just over two minutes left. He called a slow-developing pass play that was incomplete. That stopped the clock and gave Denver the ball back for the game-winning drive.

Even more perplexing was Kansas City’s continued insistence on deep downs despite a shaky offensive line. The Chiefs are staffed to play a quick-hitting, tempo-based style of play. However, weekly playcalling felt dated and reactive. It wasn’t the crisp, efficient Chiefs offense we’ve come to expect under Reid.

Special teams mistakes

For years, the special teams unit has been one of Kansas City’s competitive strengths. On Sunday, however, that was part of the problem. The disadvantages started early when Harrison Butker kicked the ball out of bounds. That gave Denver great field position. Later, Butker had an extra point blocked. That play was huge as the Chiefs chased points in the second half.

Kevin Knowles also made a questionable penalty after the return. That put the offense in a bad position on the field. Punt returner Nikko Remigio made some unusual decisions on field balls that should have bounced. That cost the Chiefs valuable yardage.

Yes, outfielder Matt Araiza has done his share of flipping the field a few times. Butker also hit field goals of his own. However, the overall performance was sloppy and lacked the attention to detail that Kansas City fans have come to expect. In the three-point game, every little mistake is magnified. Special teams contributed too many of them.

Defensive collapse in the second half

The Chiefs defense dominated early. They allowed just one first down after Denver’s first drive. However, as the game progressed, the energy disappeared and so did the discipline. The Broncos adjusted by adding play-action plays, and Kansas City’s defense struggled to respond.

After halftime, Denver scored on its first two possessions. They turned a slow first half into momentum. The last two runs were particularly painful. The Chiefs couldn’t get off the field on third down. They allowed Bo Nix to convert twice on long drives.

The lack of passes on those third and longs was puzzling. Nix is ​​not particularly comfortable under pressure. However, their defense pulled the punches and allowed him to operate in clean pockets. The Broncos methodically marched 56 yards on their final possession. They bled out the clock before setting up Will Lutz’s game-winning field goal.

The defense just faltered when it mattered most.

Self-inflicted loss

The Chiefs didn’t lose because Denver was better. They lost because they defeated themselves. Turnovers, penalties, conservative playoffs and late-game execution failures all combined to squander a divisional victory.

At 5-5, Kansas City faces an uphill climb to retain the AFC West crown. With the Broncos now three games ahead, the margin for error is gone. Mahomes can’t carry this team by himself. The coaching staff must rediscover the discipline and adaptability that made them champions.

For now, however, this loss is symbolic. It’s the kind of stumble that forces the franchise to look in the mirror. The Chiefs are too talented to be mediocre. However, until they stop sabotaging themselves, that’s just what it will be.