Chiefs extend win streak despite struggles on offense

Patrick Mahomes passed for only 184 yards and no touchdowns, with one interception; Teddy Bridgewater threw for 257 yards and was picked off twice, including one returned 75 yards for a touchdown; rookie Javonte Williams carried 23 times for 102 yards

Last Updated: 06/12/21 6:31am

Patrick Mahomes had one of the poorest statistical nights of his career but the Kansas City Chiefs still came away victorious

Patrick Mahomes completed just a smidge over 50 per cent of his passes, for only 184 yards, zero touchdowns and with one interception, but his Kansas City Chiefs still escaped with a 22-9 win over the Denver Broncos in swirling winds at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night.

Story of the Game

The Kansas City defense forced three turnovers, picking off Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater twice, including one returned a massive 75 yards by Daniel Sorensen for a pick-six touchdown to ice the game with just under 10 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

The Chiefs (8-4) were far from their explosive best, but they extend their winning run to five games and maintain sole possession of first place in the AFC West over the Broncos (6-6) and the chasing pack with this victory – the Kansas City defense has allowed just 56 points during the streak. Denver have now lost 12 in a row to their division rivals.

Daniel Sorensen TO THE HOUSE. 75-yard Pick-6! #ChiefsKingdom

?: #DENvsKC on NBC
?: https://t.co/uJbgLU8JP7 pic.twitter.com/q1ghcQNmCn

— NFL (@NFL)

December 6, 2021

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Stats leaders

Broncos

Passing: Teddy Bridgewater, 22/40, 257 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTsRushing: Javonte Williams, 23 carries, 102 yardsReceiving: Jerry Jeudy, four catches, 77 yardsJavonte Williams, six catches, 76 yards, 1 TD

Pat Surtain II with his 4th pick of the season! @PatSurtainll

?: #DENvsKC on NBC
?: https://t.co/uJbgLU8JP7 pic.twitter.com/wGtF4gfHvb

— NFL (@NFL)

December 6, 2021

Chiefs

Passing: Patrick Mahomes, 15/29, 184 yards, 1 INTRushing: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, 14 carries, 54 yardsReceiving: Darrel Williams, three catches, 60 yards

Scoring Summary

FIRST QUARTER Broncos 0-7 Chiefs Patrick Mahomes 10-yard TD run (extra point) Broncos 0-10 Chiefs Harrison Butker 56-yard field goal SECOND QUARTER Broncos 3-10 Chiefs Brandon McManus 42-yard field goal THIRD QUARTER Broncos 3-13 Chiefs Harrison Butker 45-yard field goal FOURTH QUARTER Broncos 3-16 Chiefs Harrison Butker 26-yard field goal Broncos 3-22 Chiefs Daniel Sorensen 75-yard interception return for a TD (failed extra point) Broncos 9-22 Chiefs Teddy Bridgewater 13-yard TD pass to Javonte Williams (failed two-point conversion)

Key Plays

With swirling winds approaching 20-30 mph at Arrowhead Stadium, scoring was always going to be at a premium, and so it proved, with Mahomes rushing in for a 10-yard score – Kansas City’s only offensive touchdown – on their opening possession.

Mahomes escapes and scores! 10-yard rushing TD for #15. #ChiefsKingdom

?: #DENvsKC on NBC
?: https://t.co/uJbgLU8JP7 pic.twitter.com/UJLDua1gBA

— NFL (@NFL)

December 6, 2021

Denver, meanwhile, went three-and-out on both of their first two series’, and when they did control the ball for a drive of 11-plus minutes in the second quarter they’d ultimately turn it over on downs when going for it on fourth-and-two from the Kansas City eight-yard line.

The @Chiefs defense comes up with a stop on 4th down to end Denver’s 20-play drive.

?: #DENvsKC on NBC
?: https://t.co/uJbgLU8JP7 pic.twitter.com/xFxm4akess

— NFL (@NFL)

December 6, 2021

Beyond that, Harrison Butker kicked three field goals for the Chiefs, including impressive strikes from 56 and 45 yards considering the conditions – kicks which helped KC open up a 16-3 lead after three quarters.

Off the upright and GOOD from 56 yards out! @buttkicker7

?: #DENvsKC on NBC
?: https://t.co/uJbgLU8JP7 pic.twitter.com/RAedlA71QH

— NFL (@NFL)

December 6, 2021

The Broncos found success with the run game, rookie Javonte Williams carrying the ball 23 times for 102 yards, but their only touchdown of the game came far too late, with Bridgewater finding him out of the backfield with a 13-yard toss with five minutes left.

Denver’s scoring drive came immediately off the back of the key play of the game, with Sorensen returning a deflected pass of Bridgewater’s 75 yards to the house.

What’s Next?

The Chiefs (8-4) face yet another tough divisional test next Sunday as they host the Las Vegas Raiders (6-6), while the Broncos (6-6) host the Detroit Lions (1-10-1) fresh from finally securing their first win of the season over the Minnesota Vikings (5-7).

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