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| ATL at CAR | BUF at MIA | CHI at OAK | CIN at BAL | CLE at PIT | DAL at NYG | DEN at KC | DET at ARI |
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Week 10 Game Recap: Denver Broncos 27, Kansas City Chiefs 11
What you need to know
| Denver Broncos |
After an embarrassing loss at the hands of Detroit last week, the Denver Broncos found a way to gain an unusual road win against the Kansas City Chiefs. The prior nine contests between the Broncos and the Chiefs were won by the home team. A combination of a recharged defense and effective running by a rookie provided the Broncos faithful with hope for their season.
With regular running back starter Travis Henry unable to play due to an injury, the Broncos made rookie Selvin Young the starting running back. He responded exceptionally with 20 carries for 109 yards rushing and three catches for 20 yards. He also looked great while scoring an impressive 20 yard rushing touchdown.
Denver's defense displayed the tenacity and skill that had been expected of them but had lately been lacking. They harassed the Chiefs' quarterbacks, while picking up four sacks, three interceptions, and forcing two fumbles. During the game's turning point early in the third quarter, Huard was intercepted, leading to the Selvin Young touchdown run. On the Chiefs' very next play from scrimmage, defensive lineman Elvis Dumervil sacked Chiefs' quarterback Damon Huard, forcing a fumble that was returned by Nate Webster for a touchdown. That play knocked Huard out of the game and moved the game out of the reach of Kansas City.
All three previous wins by Denver had been secured by late heroic kicks from Jason Elam. They managed this win without a game winning kick by Elam, but Elam still provided some excitement, His long kick was a 50 yarder that hit the cross bar before successfully bouncing up and over.
| Kansas City Chiefs |
The Kansas City Chiefs kept the game close with their normal strong defensive play through the first half. Mistakes on the Kansas City offensive side allowed Denver to win this game while pulling away from the Chiefs. At the end of the first half, both teams had managed to score only two field goals each and the difference in the game was a punt blocked by Kansas City's special teams that went through the end zone and gave the Chiefs a two point lead at the half.
With Larry Johnson sidelined due to a foot injury, Kansas City promoted Priest Holmes to the starting rusher role. Holmes had some good runs and showed many good deceptive moves while running, but still only managed 65 yards on 20 carries. The Chiefs' offense was ineffective throughout but particularly during the first half.
Media and fans have been calling for the replacement of quarterback Damon Huard with second year player Brodie Croyle. With each series during this contest, the calls for a change were louder from the fans. On the Chiefs' first series in the third quarter, Huard was intercepted and the fans loudly called for Croyle to replace him. Denver quickly converted that turnover into a touchdown. On the next offensive play by the Chiefs, Huard was sacked and fumbled the ball. The ball was picked up and returned for a touchdown by the Broncos.
With Huard on the bench wearing an ice pack on the back of his neck, it was easier for Coach Herm Edwards to make the change. Brodie Croyle came in as the Kansas City quarterback. He was not able to bring the Chiefs back from their deficit but he appeared confident, his passes were crisper, and he offered a marked improvement in backfield mobility. The feeling was that the changing of the guard has finally come for good in Kansas City and that Croyle's reign as the Kansas City starting quarterback had begun.
The Chiefs now have a strong defense, a great tight end and wide receiver (Bowe had a great game with nine receptions for 105 yards), and their quarterback of the future, Brodie Croyle. With stabilization of the running game and improvement of their offensive line, they could have a lot to hope for in the future.
What you ought to know
| QB Jay Cutler, Pass: 17 - 29 - 192 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 3 - 21 - 0 |
Cutler started at quarterback despite having struggled during the week with a leg injury. He provided adequate statistics passing for 192 yards while completing 17 out of 29 passes. He had one interception to go with his one touchdown pass. While not an exciting outing, he provided enough to lead the Broncos to a needed divisional win. He briefly left the contest after coming up limping following a minor encounter with the Chiefs' Jared Allen. He came back soon demonstrating no ill effects.
| QB Patrick Ramsey, Pass: 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0 |
Ramsey saw very brief action replacing a limping Jay Cutler during the middle of one offensive series. Both his attempted passes were incomplete but his one rush attempt produced a first down.
| RB Selvin Young, Rush: 20 - 109 - 1, Rec: 3 - 20 - 0 (4 targets) |
Before the year began, undrafted rookie Selvin Young surprised everyone by winning the backup running back position over veteran Mike Bell. With injuries and a pending suspension hanging over starter Travis Henry, Young provided validation for his selection as next in line for the coveted Denver Broncos starting running back position. He totaled 129 yards on three catches and 20 rushes and scored the touchdown that put the Broncos ahead for good on a magnificent 20 yard run.
| RB Andre Hall, Rush: 5 - 9 - 0 |
In addition to returning kickoffs, Andre Hall was brought in late in the game to give relief to running back Selvin Young.
| RB Paul Smith (1 targets) |
Smith saw limited action and did not accumulate any yardage for the Broncos.
| WR Brandon Marshall, Rec: 6 - 85 - 0 (9 targets) |
Second year receiver Marshall is establishing himself as the current top wide receiver for the Broncos and Jay Cutler's favorite target. With top wideout Javon Walker out with an injury and perennial all pro Rod Smith on the PUP list, Marshall has helped solidify the passing game for Denver. He caught six of the nine passes Cutler directed towards him for 85 yards.
| WR Brandon Stokley, Rec: 2 - 36 - 0 (8 targets) |
Stokley was another favorite target for Cutler, being aimed at eight times, but he only managed to pull in two of the passes.
| WR Glenn Martinez (2 targets) |
Martinez saw minimal action with a negative yardage punt return and zero catches on two chances.
| TE Tony Scheffler, Rec: 4 - 31 - 0 (5 targets) |
Scheffler was a regular target for the Broncos' passing attack. He caught four of the five passes thrown to him for 31 yards.
| TE Daniel Graham, Rec: 2 - 20 - 1 (2 targets) |
Graham caught both of the passes intended for him. He caught the only touchdown that Cutler threw during the contest.
| PK Jason Elam 2 - 2 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 9 points |
Elam enjoyed his typical excellent night. He was perfect as he was successful on both of his field goal attempts and on all three extra point kicks. He may not have as strong a leg as he once did, but he managed his 37th career kick of at least 50 yards in dramatic fashion. His 50 yard kick half way through the second quarter hit the crossbar, then bounced up and maintained enough momentum to continue through the uprights.
| DEN Rush Defense |
The Broncos defense stopped the Chiefs' rushing attack. While regular starter Larry Johnson was out with an injury, The Chiefs' Priest Holmes was prevented from any large gains. The Broncos held Kansas City to only 67 total yards rushing on 22 carries. They prevented Kansas City from converting any running attempts into scores.
| DEN Pass Defense |
The Denver pass defense was very effective against the Kansas City Chiefs offense. They harassed the Chiefs' quarterbacks casing four sacks, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. They caused the fumble that was returned for a Denver touchdown. Denver may also have unwittingly ushered in the Brodie Croyle era for Kansas City football. The only question for most media personnel and Kansas City fans was when this year Croyle would take over for the mostly ineffective Damon Huard. After knocking Huard out of the game on a sack, a fumble, and then a fumble return for a touchdown, Huard appeared groggy and sat on the bench with an ice pack on his neck. Croyle came in and attempted unsuccessfully to bring the Chiefs back.
| QB Brodie Croyle, Pass: 17 - 30 - 162 - 0 TD / 1 INT |
Second year quarterback Brodie Croyle's time has been coming. The job was his to take during training camp, but he did not establish himself then. This year, with Huard's poor play, it has been continually anticipated that soon would come Croyle's chance. As he replaced Huard after an injury during this contest, it appeared that Croyle's time has come. He was unable to bring the Chiefs back, but in less than a half of football he completed 17 of 30 passes for 162 yards. He did have one interception, but it is quite possible that going forward this is Brodie Croyle's team.
| QB Damon Huard, Pass: 6 - 15 - 83 - 0 TD / 2 INT |
Huard may have seen the end of his days as the number one quarterback in Kansas City. He has struggled most of this year leading the offense and has heard the repeated calls that he step aside to make room for Croyle. Prior to being knocked out of the contest by the Broncos, he had completed only six of fifteen passes for a mere 83 yards while being intercepted twice and fumbling once.
| RB Priest Holmes, Rush: 20 - 65 - 0, Rec: 2 - 14 - 0 (2 targets) |
Amazingly Priest Holmes is back as the starting running back for the Chiefs, at least while Larry Johnson is out with his foot injury. Holmes made his first start in 742 days and often appeared to have some of his old power and elusiveness, but he still only managed 65 yards on 20 carries for the day. He also did not interfere with the ongoing streak for consecutive rushing touchdowns that Johnson holds. He does seem to be at the very least a quite capable backup running back.
| RB Kolby Smith, Rush: 2 - 2 - 0, Rec: 2 - 7 - 0 (4 targets) |
Fifth round draft choice and rookie Kolby Smith saw time in hopes of gaining valuable experience in game situations as the backup for Priest Holmes. He had only two carries and he caught two of the four passes meant for him.
| WR Dwayne Bowe, Rec: 9 - 105 - 0 (13 targets) |
Bowe continues his phenomenal rookie season as he pulled in nine of the thirteen passes thrown his way for 105 yards. He has tremendous ability to get open and to catch any ball despite the defenders and the accuracy of the pass.
| WR Eddie Kennison, Rec: 3 - 34 - 0 (8 targets) |
Kennison is back and nicely compliments Dwayne Bowe. He caught three of the passes sent his way for 34 yards. Even more significant was his willingness to keep active even when the ball was not meant for him as witnessed by his fumble recovery.
| WR Jeff Webb, Rec: 2 - 33 - 0 (6 targets) |
Jeff Webb was targeted often but only managed to catch two of the passes sent his way, albeit for a healthy 33 yards
| WR Samie Parker, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (1 targets) |
With an abundance of targets for Kansas City, Parker was a bit forgotten in the passing department, but he did catch the only ball thrown to him.
| TE Tony Gonzalez, Rec: 3 - 29 - 0 (12 targets) |
Gonzalez was sought often during this match. He was only able to pull in three of the twelve passes intended for him as he constantly received heavy coverage from the Broncos' secondary.
| TE Kris Wilson, Rec: 1 - 11 - 0 (3 targets) |
Wilson made a nice catch on one of the three balls thrown to him but then fumbled the ball. Fortunately for him and for the Chiefs, Eddie Kennison was coming back over to help out and recovered the fumble.
| PK Dave Rayner 3 - 4 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 9 points |
Rayner made three of the four field goals he attempted. His one miss was from 53 yards as it went a little wide left. He did not get to attempt any extra point kicks.
| KC Rush Defense |
The Chiefs rush defense was successfully attacked by Selvin Young. Normally the Chiefs are very strong against the run, but they allowed Young to collect 109 yards, a better than five yard per carry average. They also yielded a rushing touchdown to the rookie rusher. It remains to be seen if they had a very off day or if Young is going to be an exceptional runner.
| KC Pass Defense |
The Kansas City pass defense performed well, but they were done in more by the ineptitude of the Kansas City offense. They managed one sack (by league sack leader Jared Allen), one interception and they forced two fumbles. They held Denver to under 200 yards passing, but their efforts were for naught as the Kansas City offense was ineffectual.
