The Chiefs were fortunate to trail by just six points after the Broncos’ first two drives Sunday.
Denver started the game by driving from its 35 to the Chiefs’ 11-yard line, but the Broncos settled for a field goal in the red zone. The Broncos’ second drive started at the Chiefs’ 11 following Marvin Mims’ 70-yard punt return and a weird penalty on KC.
After picking up just 5 yards, Denver kicked another field goal.
But it did set the tone for what Broncos coach Sean Payton saw as an important reason for his team’s 22-19 win.
“I felt like we played on their end of the field,” Payton said after the game. “And one of the keys, we felt these guys have really all season, the last four weeks, have really been flipping the script and playing on the opponent’s side of the field.”
The average starting position for the teams doesn’t seem to show a big advantage: Chiefs at their 22-yard line and the Broncos at their 35-yard line.
But it’s worth taking a closer look.
Four of Denver’s 10 drives started no worse than at the Broncos’ 35-yard line. Denver’s third drive began at its 40-yard line.
Conversely, all but one of the Chiefs’ 10 drives started inside their own 30-yard line, and their best starting position was at the KC 32-yard line. That forced the Chiefs into long drives, and Payton saw it as a key to the game.
Slowing Patrick Mahomes
Payton was asked how the Broncos were able to play so well against Mahomes, who had 276 passing yards with a touchdown and interception. He also ran just once for 3 yards.
“With respect to Patrick, man, he’s something,” Payton said. “Trying to keep him in the pocket and ... the third-and-20, he climbs up, and we give up an interference. But rushing in the right way and playing coverage the right way, it’s tough especially when they’re healthy, with all their skill players like they were tonight.”
After hedging a bit, Payton acknowledged the significance of the Broncos’ victory.
“Obviously, it’s a division win,” he said. “Look, I’d be lying right to everyone if I didn’t say it was a big win. It got us to nine (wins), and it kept them (at five).”