In an unpredictable Week 10 of the NFL, special teams faced their fair share of blunders. The 49ers experienced a challenging game, gaffing a punt and missing three field goals before clinching a 23-20 victory over the Buccaneers with a last-second 44-yard kick from Jake Moody. Tensions flared on the sideline in the wake of Moody’s missed attempts, with teammate Deebo Samuel confronting long snapper Taybor Pepper, leading to a brief scuffle where Samuel appeared to put a hand on Pepper’s throat.
Coach Kyle Shanahan stated he did not witness the confrontation but acknowledged his players’ frustrations. “Things like this happen among brothers,” he commented, noting he was not overly concerned and expected the matter to be resolved during their journey home. Samuel later expressed no ill intent and was pleased that Moody had a chance to redeem himself, echoing Moody’s relief as well.
“I really, really wanted a chance to redeem myself,” Moody shared, who returned from a sprained ankle. He was successful on kicks from 28 and 33 yards but struggled earlier, missing from 49, 50, and 44 yards. He dismissed the sideline incident, pointing out that such emotions are common in competitive sports, emphasizing, “We won, so that’s all that matters.”
On another front, the Kansas City Chiefs continued their remarkable streak, reaching 15 consecutive victories, a stretch unbroken since last Christmas. However, their match against the Denver Broncos almost disrupted that streak. The Broncos, displaying strong play across various phases, had a field goal opportunity that could have secured their first win at Arrowhead Stadium since 2015.
With the Chiefs taking their first lead late in the game, Denver quarterback Bo Nix skillfully converted multiple third downs, forcing Chiefs’ coach Andy Reid to utilize his timeouts and keeping star quarterback Patrick Mahomes on the sidelines. Reaching the Chiefs’ 14-yard line, Nix took a knee, prompting Broncos’ Coach Sean Payton to call a timeout with one second left on the clock. The snap and hold appeared flawless, but linebacker Leo Chenal and the Kansas City defense charged through, blocking kicker Wil Lutz’s 35-yard attempt and sealing a surprising 16-14 win for the Chiefs.
“I was really praying for something to happen,” Chenal reflected after being hailed as the game’s savior. He acknowledged the suspense of the moment, feeling the pressure as Denver prepared to make the kick. The Chiefs noticed weaknesses on the Broncos’ protection earlier in the game, nearly blocking both an extra point and a long field goal.
Payton took responsibility for the play’s failure, asserting that the blame did not rest on Forsyth, the player who was overpowered on the block. He emphasized accountability among coaches and the need to address concerns about their protection strategy moving forward, stating, “It’s disappointing, but it’s not new when a big play is made at the end of the game.”
Despite the loss, the Broncos still cling to the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC, aiming to fend off competition from the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts. Payton reassured his team that they still have a chance, insisting that their season is far from over and stressing the need for adjustments rather than dwelling on the difficult defeat.