False Start Ends Chiefs' Final Drive

A false start by right tackle Jaylon Moore with four seconds remaining erased the final score of the game. Patrick Mahomes threw the ball to Rashee Rice for a touchdown, but the play was whistled dead before it could count. The Chiefs trailed 28-24 after the stoppage, ending their chances to take control of the division. The game ended in a loss at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium.

Kansas City committed 11 penalties for a total of 105 yards. This was the most penalties and penalty yards the team has recorded this season. The last time the Chiefs had more was in a loss to Jacksonville last season, when they committed 13 penalties for 109 yards. Denver benefited from these infractions throughout the contest. An 18-yard pass interference call on Kristian Fulton helped set up an early field goal.

Coach Andy Reid defended his offensive line's discipline. He stated that he saw Moore move his head but did not see a false start. Replays showed the right tackle flinch with his right leg before turning his head to the left. Mahomes accepted responsibility for the final failure to score. He noted that the team wanted to capitalize in the red zone but faced a strong defense. He said he would take the miss on himself and learn from it.

The Chiefs fell to a 5-2 record after the loss. Denver improved to 6-2 and took the lead in the AFC West. The Broncos evened the season series after losing the season opener in Kansas City. Bo Nix led Denver's offense. He completed 20 of 32 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. His final drive included a 51-yard pass to rookie Jonah Coleman. Coleman followed that play with a 5-yard rushing touchdown to put Denver ahead.

Emmett Johnson provided a spark for the Kansas City offense. The rookie running back caught a 73-yard pass from Mahomes in the first half. It was the longest offensive touchdown for the Chiefs in 91 games. Johnson finished with five catches for 128 yards. He also added a 15-yard run and a 44-yard kickoff return. His 119 receiving yards in the first half set a career record for a running back in Andy Reid's tenure.

Kenneth Walker III struggled against his former team. Denver limited him to 21 carries for 69 yards. He also had four catches for 15 yards. Walker had been effective in the first five games of the season. The Broncos' defense stopped him for no gain on a crucial third-down run late in the game. That stop set up the final play from the one-yard line. The Chiefs then faced fourth-and-goal from the six-yard line on their last possession.

Harrison Butker missed a 54-yard field goal attempt. He pushed the kick well right of the target. Butker is now 2 of 7 on kicks from 50-plus yards. Mahomes took a sack before the snap, which moved the ball back six yards. He said he should have thrown the ball away to keep the distance within a comfortable range for the kicker. Reid said he did not consider punting after the sack. He noted that the distance remained within Butker's range.

The Chiefs led 17-13 at halftime despite the penalty issues. Travis Kelce committed a false start that led to a punt. Denver's only first-half scoring drive was not aided by penalties. It ended with a 45-yard field goal by Will Lutz. The Broncos forced three consecutive three-and-outs to start the second half. They managed only 19 yards on those nine plays. Two of those drives ended due to procedural penalties that cost Denver five yards each.