These included failed opportunities to score before halftime, an interception on the first possession of the third quarter and 10 penalties (totaling 69 yards) throughout the matchup. The Chiefs continued their alarming trend of beating themselves in close games — a pattern that has appeared in each of their five losses this season.
“Whenever you’re playing good teams — whether it’s myself making a call or the players playing — you’ve got to do the right things,” head coach Andy Reid said in his postgame press conference. “Put guys in the right position, then guys have to make plays when given an opportunity — on both sides of the ball and special teams.”
But despite all the miscues, Kansas City still held a 19-16 fourth-quarter lead — thanks to a 21-yard touchdown pass to tight end Travis Kelce. But from there, the Chiefs just couldn’t close. The offense went three-and-out on its final two possessions, while the defense allowed two field goals — including the one that ended the game.
“Denver played a good game — and it got us today,” noted Reid. “On our side, we had to make sure that we [didn’t] go three-and-out with those last couple of offensive series. Then there were a variety of things that went on — that we all contributed to — on both sides of the ball and special teams.”