Chiefs @ Broncos
Final Score: Chiefs 28, Broncos 24
Writer: Justin Herrera (@Semtexmex93 on Twitter)
The Kansas City Chiefs came into the Saturday afternoon game trying to take control of their own destiny. A win over the Broncos would put them in contention for a first-round bye. The Broncos came into this game with nothing to lose and played that way in throughout the game, making the Chiefs work hard for the win. They used their run game to take control of the game going into the fourth quarter, but an unlikely fumble recovery for a TD by Melvin Ingram helped put the Chiefs in the driver’s seat and eventually was the play that locked up the win for the Chiefs. The game result was Kansas City Chiefs 28, Denver Broncos 24.
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: 27/44, 270 yards, 2 TDs | 9 carries, 54 yards
.@PatrickMahomes making moves with his feet. 👀@Chiefs in the red zone.
📺: #KCvsDEN on ESPN/ABC
📱: https://t.co/wJgbGtMl5R pic.twitter.com/vjBzWO3NUw— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2022
Patrick Mahomes looked like a guy who’s ready for the playoffs in this game. He wasted little time getting going in this game as he completed seven of eleven passes for 45 yards and a TD, while also running for 22 yards on two carries. After his second drive ended with a massive sack, Mahomes went back to work completing three of nine passes for 32 yards. Mahomes almost had an interception in the endzone on a pass he tried to force-feed to Tyreek Hill. This drive also showed us why Mahomes is one of the best, as he completed a 10 yard pass to Byron Pringle on a play that he ran all the way to the left and then threw it back to the right side of the field. He continues to show us that he can do something that most people wouldn’t.
The second half started with Mahomes leading a TD drive, highlighted by a 25 yard scramble. Mahomes was impressive in the open field, evading three Broncos defenders before running out of bounds. This would set up a 14 yard TD throw to Jerick McKinnon, making the game 17-10 Chiefs. The Chiefs locked up this game a few drives later with the Nick Bolton fumble recovery to the house. Mahomes would run in the two-point conversion to bring the score to 28-21 Chiefs. This game put Mahomes into playoff form and showed us what he can do with his arm and his legs.
Running Back
Derrick Gore: 7 carries, 30 yards| 1 target
Jerick McKinnon: 5 carries, 24 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 26 yards, TD
Darrell Williams: 7 carries, 17 yards | 4 targets, 3 receptions, 30 yards
filthy TD by Jerick McKinnon pic.twitter.com/jicqQFymo4
— alex (@highlightheaven) January 8, 2022
The best ball carrier on the day was actually Patrick Mahomes. Outside of him, the running backs in this game were pretty flat. The team was without lead back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and no one really stepped up. Jerick McKinnon looked elusive on his touchdown reception, but the carries were divided up so evenly that we didn’t really get to see someone stand out. Both Mckinnon and Derrick Gore averaged over 4 yards per carry and Darrell Williams looked the best in the receiving game, getting 17 yards on one play and averaging 10 YPC.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Mecole Hardman: 11 targets, 8 receptions, 103 yards | 1 carry, 10 yards
Byron Pringle: 8 targets, 5 receptions, 56 yards
Travis Kelce: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 34 yards, TD
Demarcus Robinson: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 19 yards
Tyreek Hill: 1 target, 1 reception, 2 yards
This is just too easy for Travis Kelce pic.twitter.com/XTTo5cXrr4
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) January 8, 2022
Tyreek Hill was out for just about all the game with a heel injury and this opened up a big role in the offense to be filled by Mecole Hardman. Hardman had many highlight in this eight catch 103 yard performance. Some of those include a 44 yard screen pass, a 10 yard direct snap, and being a shoelace tackle away from scoring a touchdown. Hardman looks good for the playoffs and if Hill’s heel issue persists, Hardman might see a significant uptick in targets. Travis Kelce was solid in this game scoring on the opening drive and catching four of five targets for 34 yards. Byron Pringle was coming off a big week in Week 17 and continued to show his consistency in this game reeling in five passes for 56 yards.
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Drew Lock: 12/24, 162 yards | 4 carries, 35 yards, 2 TD
Drew Lock: RB1 💨
pic.twitter.com/v9iGBTfMV8— PFF (@PFF) January 8, 2022
Drew Lock played his butt off in this game. Through the first two drives he was tied with Courtland Sutton for completed passes with one, but the Broncos lucked out on a roughing-the-kicker penalty that extended the drive and gave Lock the chance to scamper in for a five-yard TD. On the very next drive, Lock was once again held in check, completing his only pass for 11 yards. He did though run for another TD this time, taking it for a very strong 23 yard run.
In the second half Lock’s magic seem to run thin, completing two of five passes through the first two drives. On the all-important second to last drive, Lock pulled his inconsistencies together to complete all four of his passes for 42 yards and looked to set the Broncos up to extend their one-point lead. Unfortunately this drive ended with a red zone fumble by Melvin Gordon. The last drive would see Lock complete two big passes to Tim Patrick and Jerry Jeudy totaling 57 yards and getting the Broncos in field goal range.
Lock got another start this week with Teddy Bridgewater out. He made the most of it as he most likely won’t be the starter going forward for the Broncos in 2022. Lock was inaccurate as usual but did offer the big arm capability to get the Broncos downfield. In this game, he showed his heart by running the ball in for two touchdowns.
Running Back
Melvin Gordon III: 12 carries, 110 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 6 yards
Javonte Williams: 12 carries, 46 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 18 yards
Take off then, @Melvingordon25 ⚡️
📺: ESPNpic.twitter.com/8JvYMZcsY4
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 8, 2022
Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams split their touches right down the middle, literally. Both had 14 touches (12 carries, two targets). Gordon had the better game against the Chiefs, utilizing his patience and cutback skills to break off two runs of 29 and 47 yards. The latter was a touchdown, and with 76 of 110 yards coming off two runs Gordon averaged 3.4 YPC. Gordon had a pretty good day minus one fumble in the red zone that unfortunately was taken back to the house by the Chiefs Nick Bolton. Williams on the other hand didn’t have near the fantasy success as Gordon, but he looked really good running the ball to the outside. The rookie got more involved in the receiving game, snagging both his targets for 18 yards. Going forward this may be the last game these two play together but Gordon, who is a free agent, has definitely earned a starting spot on an NFL team in 2022.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tim Patrick: 10 targets, 6 receptions, 95 yards, 2 TD | 1 carry, 1 yard
Jerry Jeudy: 6 targets, 2 receptions, 30 yards
Noah Fant: 2 targets, 1 reception, 16 yards
Courtland Sutton: 3 targets, 1 reception, 13 yards
Courtland Sutton QB1 🎯 pic.twitter.com/9QjxjKaHk5
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) January 8, 2022
Tim Patrick was the lead receiver in this game, garnering 10 targets while putting together a six reception, 95 yard game. He was the “go-to-guy” for Drew Lock today deep, receiving a 31 yard bomb and taking a short route for 29 yards. Patrick has carved himself a role with the Broncos going forward. Outside of Patrick, everyone else was very pedestrian. Jerry Jeudy brought in 28 of his 30 yards on one deep ball on the last drive. I won’t blame it entirely on him as Lock missed him by a mile on a couple targets. Courtland Sutton‘s best play was a dart thrown to Noah Fant for 16 yards.
— Justin Herrera (@Semtexmex93 on Twitter)