KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs narrowly maintained their unbeaten record, handing a missed opportunity to the Denver Broncos. In a thrilling encounter, the Chiefs managed to secure a 16-14 win after blocking a field goal attempt from Broncos kicker Wil Lutz as the clock hit zero. This victory marks the Chiefs’ remarkable achievement of becoming the fifth Super Bowl champion to commence the season with a 9-0 record.
Broncos defensive tackle Malcolm Roach reflected on the match, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on opportunities against the reigning champions. “When you’re playing the champs, you’ve got to take it, because they always believe they can win,” he remarked, acknowledging that the Chiefs made the crucial play in the end.
Kansas City’s continued success amidst adversity sets them apart in the league. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has admitted to not reaching his top form this season. The Chiefs have been significantly impacted by injuries, losing their two leading wide receivers, starting running back, and one of their key cornerbacks. Despite these challenges, they have remained unbeaten in the season, with four victories coming in nail-biting finishes.
The team holds an impressive NFL record, winning nine straight games after being behind at any point in the second half. Such resilience speaks to their profound self-confidence.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, reflecting on the thrilling ending of the match, noted the rarity of such dramatic moments. “I’m going to enjoy it, but I’m also going to get to work fixing the other things that we need to fix before we go to Buffalo,” he stated. Reid emphasized the toughness of the league, acknowledging that every victory must be appreciated.
Next week, the Chiefs are set to face the Buffalo Bills. Their schedule has already included tough competition, with matchups against Baltimore, Cincinnati, and a Super Bowl rematch against San Francisco. However, the upcoming game against Buffalo poses a significant challenge, especially since the Bills currently hold an 8-2 record, positioning them among the contenders with only one or two losses.
“Buffalo’s playing great football,” Mahomes acknowledged. He understands the intensity anticipated in their away match and emphasized the need for the Chiefs to elevate their performance to secure a win.
In terms of their offensive play, Kansas City has seen improvements since acquiring Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a trade with Tennessee. In the game against Denver, Hopkins recorded four catches for 56 yards, contributing to his total of 12 receptions in the past two games. His presence has also benefitted teammate Travis Kelce, who had eight catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.
However, not all aspects of the team are firing on all cylinders. Field position proved crucial against the strong Broncos defense, but the Chiefs’ new punter Matt Araiza struggled, letting two out of his four punts bounce into the end zone and providing the Broncos with free yards.
On the defensive side, Nazeeh Johnson is stepping up in light of the loss of cornerback Jaylen Watson to injury. Johnson led the team with ten tackles and also made significant plays, including a tackle on Denver quarterback Bo Nix.
Conversely, rookie Xavier Worthy seems to be facing challenges in his first season after a promising start. In the recent game, he was targeted four times but managed just one catch for 11 yards. A notable moment saw him break free deep downfield, but the pass from Mahomes sailed out of bounds.
In injury news, left tackle Wanya Morris returned to the field after missing some time due to a knee issue, which was vital considering the struggles of rookie backup Kingsley Suamataia in his absence.
A noteworthy milestone in the game was Travis Kelce tying Tony Gonzalez for the franchise record with 76 touchdown catches.
As the Chiefs gear up for their journey to Buffalo, they look to continue their recent success against their rivals, who they’ve encountered six times in recent years. Although the teams have had an even split in those games, Kansas City has triumphed in the critical playoff encounters, making the upcoming game one to watch.