Nov 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO; Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Denver Broncos (9-3) dominated the Kansas City Chiefs (7-5) in all facets on Sunday, beating its AFC West rival 29-16.
Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith completed 15-of-23 passes for 153 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
The cold weather on the road didn’t impact Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning in the slightest. Manning completed 17-of-34 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
Next up for the Chiefs are the Arizona Cardinals (9-3), Oakland Raiders (1-11) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5).
“There were no positives out there,” tight end Travis Kelce said. “You can’t say the offense, defense or special teams really had a solid day.”
Contrary to what Kelce said, there were a couple good moments on the field.
Here are the lows and highs for Week 13.
LOWS
-The Broncos owned the time of possession with 38:37. The Chiefs had the ball in its possession for a mere 21:13, the least amount time all season. The lowest mark on the year before the Sunday night game came in the regular-season opener against the Titans when the Chiefs held the ball for 22:16.
-The Chiefs defense could not shut down the Broncos run game. Broncos running back C.J. Anderson had 115 yards before the end of the third quarter. He amassed 168 yards on the night, just nine yards short of his career-best. As a team, the Broncos totaled 214 yards rushing.
-The Chiefs offensive line didn’t do Smith any favors. Smith was sacked six times for a loss of 43 yards on the night. He was sacked for more yards than the Chiefs had rushing yards (41).
-The Chiefs had 44 plays from scrimmage. The Broncos nearly doubled that with 80 plays. One contributing factor to that was the Chiefs third down efficiency. The Chiefs were 1-of-9 for 11 percent on third down.
-Smith still has not connected for a wide receiver touchdown. The Chiefs signed wide receiver Jason Avant on Nov. 21 to help relieve some of the woes, but to no avail, scoring wise. Three wide receivers (Avant, Dwayne Bowe and Donnie Avery) were targeted 11 times on five catches.
HIGHS
-Somehow, someway, the Chiefs defense managed to get their hands on Manning. Linebacker Justin Houston sacked him once for a loss of 5 yards. With that sack, Houston became the second fastest player in Chiefs history to reach 40 sacks. It took Houston 55 games to reach that mark. The only Chief to do it in less time was Derrick Thomas (42 games). Houston made his presence known in several stat categories. He had eight tackles (seven solo), one sack, three tackles for loss, two passes defended and a forced fumble.
-Running back Jamaal Charles caught four passes for 24 yards and a touchdown. His 12-yard touchdown reception was his 12th of the season. Charles leads the NFL in touchdowns with 31 over the past two seasons.
-Running back Knile Davis returned three kickoffs for 89 yards, averaging 29.7 yards per return. With those under his belt, he ranks fourth in the NFL with an average of 29.1 yards per return.
-The run defense might have not played so hot, but the pass defense held Manning to a season-low 179 yards passing. Through 13 weeks of play the Chiefs have not allowed a 300-yard passer. The most passing yards the defense has allowed this season was Tennessee Titan Jake Locker’s 266 yards passing in Week One.
-Chiefs rookie kicker Cairo Santos connected on his 14th-straight field goal. Santos nailed a 39-yarder to continue his streak.
