KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a game that saw plenty of defense on Sunday afternoon, the Denver Broncos outlasted the Kansas City Chiefs 17-9 at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs found the red zone early, but they couldn’t find the end zone. Kicker Ryan Succop hit a pair of chip shot field goals in the first quarter to give the Chiefs a 6-0 lead for most of the first half.
Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt pinned the Broncos on their own six-yard line late in the second quarter, but it made little difference to quarterback Peyton Manning, who led his team on a 94-yard touchdown drive to take a 7-6 lead with :18 seconds to play.
The Chiefs’ defense limited Manning’s success for much of the afternoon, but he did just enough damage to get the win, completing 22 of 37 passes for 285 yards for two touchdowns and an interception.
Kansas City got the lead back in the third quarter on Succop’s 49-yd FG, but Denver offered a quick response.
The Broncos (8-3, 4-2 away) took a 14-9 lead on a 30-yd TD pass from Manning to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas with 4:41 to play in the third quarter.
The Chiefs (1-10, 0-6 home) failed to capitalize on several golden opportunities late in the game. They had the ball at Denver’s 41-yd line and 42-yd line on two separate drives in the fourth quarter, but failed to turn tremendous field position into any points on the board.
Despite QB Brady Quinn and the offense’s struggles through the air, Kansas City showed signs of life in the running game. Jamaal Charles finished with 107 yards on 23 carries. Quinn completed 13 of 25 passes for 126 yards and one interception.
After falling to 1-10, Kansas City ties the record for the worst start in franchise history. They are still winless at home this season, and have now lost eight straight.
The Chiefs take on the Carolina Panthers next Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead.
