The Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs met on Sunday Night Football in a crucial clash in the AFC West.
The Chiefs were coming into the game unbeaten, while the Broncos were right behind them with an 8-1 record as both sides wrestled for control of the division.
However, the Broncos handed the Chiefs their first defeat of the season at Sports Authority Field as they edged the game thanks to two touchdowns from Montee Ball.
Read how all the action unfolded in our commentary below.
Good morning and welcome to the NFL clash between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs.
This game is the game of the season so far as the 8-1 Broncos meet the 9-0 Chiefs for control of the AFC West division.
Peyton Manning has been struggling with an ankle injury this week and that will be something to monitor during the clash this evening.
His passing offense is on pace for an NFL record this season along with passing touchdowns as he has 33 this season. However the Chiefs have an excellent pass rush and currently lead the NFL in sacks this season.
Prater gets us underway and Smith will start at the 20.
BRONCOS INACTIVES: Dysert, Hillman, Bailey, Carter, Walton, Irving, Kuper.
CHIEFS INACTIVES: Bray, Robinson, Johnson, Kush, Watkins, Johnson, Howard.
The Chiefs start with a nervy three and out as they commit a false start penalty and Smith and Charles can't get the yardage back forcing Dustin Colquitt to punt downfield and Holliday takes the ball back to the Denver 46.
Manning throws to Demaryius Thomas on a hitch route and he gets the 10 yards needed for a first down to move the chains. He was wide open on that play that can't continue for the Chiefs.
The Broncos get handed another set of downs as Berry is found guilty of defensive holding on Welker to move the Broncos to the 35.
The Broncos can't go any further though as Manning throws three incompletions as he looked for Demaryius Thomas on the screen pass, that has brought them so much success this season but they failed to connect. That will force Prater into a 54-yard field goal.
FIELD GOAL GOOD! Chiefs 0-3 Broncos
Prater knocks his kick through the posts and the Broncos have the lead in Sports Authority Field.
Prater kicks the ball out of the endzone and the Chiefs will begin at the 20.
The Chiefs get their first first down of the night as Smith goes play-action and fakes the ball to Charles before firing a quick pass to his full back Sherman and he gets 12 yards before he's knocked out of bounds.
Smith throws deep downfield for Avery on his back shoulder and he can't come up with the catch which would have moved the Chiefs into Bronco territory and on third down Phillips gets to the quarterback in the pocket and brings him down for a five-yard loss. D Colquitt punts to the 27 where Holliday gathers.
The Broncos go three and out as Welker collects Manning's looped pass and runs for nine yards and is stopped just short of the first down marker by Berry and Cooper to stop the first down. B Colquitt punts the ball to McCluster who takes the ball to the Chiefs' 36.
The punting contest continues between the Colquitt brothers and Dustin is in the lead now as he pins the Broncos at their own three-yard line after Smith's pass on third down to Bowe was tipped by Knighton at the line, when they could manage six yards on first and second down.
Manning and Welker combine to get the Broncos off their goalline with a good third down conversion as he throws a back shoulder throw for seven yards after Moreno got six yards on first and second on the ground.
FUMBLE!
Denver running back Montee Ball fumbles the ball as he drops the handoff from Manning and Johnson gathers it and takes it 11 yards to the Broncos' 18.
FUMBLE!
The Chiefs give the ball straight back to the Broncos as Smith throws a pass to Sherman in the flat, he takes a hit from Miller while in the grasp of Jammer and it's Jammer who gathers the ball at the Broncos' 16.
Manning throws deep down the right-hand sideline and picks out Demaryius Thomas with a great throw on a go route and the receiver takes the ball all the way to the Chiefs' 10 for a 70-yard reception.
TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS!
The Broncos score the first touchdown of the night as Manning throws to Julius Thomas spread out to the right on a slant route and he makes the grab despite the attentions of Berry for the nine-yard touchdown.
The Chiefs get moving as a penalty for defensive holding moves them five yards down the field and gives them another set of downs at the 25.
Smith goes down field again as he finds his tight end McGrath and he takes the ball 16 yards downfield to the Chiefs' 46 after he sat down in the zone and was uncovered as the quarterback found him.
Charles powers the Chiefs into Denver territory with a nine-yard run on second down right through the middle of the line after Fasano caught a hitch route for five yards on first.
Smith fumbles the ball and gathers at the end of the first quarter.
END OF FIRST QUARTER: Kansas City Chiefs 0-10 Denver Broncos
A big completion to start the quarter as Smith drives the ball to Bowe on a deep clearout route and he does well to hold the catch to move his side to the Denver 14 with a 26-yard reception.
Ihenacho gives away a foolish penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct as he gives Charles some verbals after Smith's attempted fade route falls incomplete in the endzone. That moves the Chiefs to the six and it's first and goal.
TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS!
The Chiefs get back into the game as after a bad week Bowe gets the focus back on his football as he grabs the six-yard reception for the touchdown as Smith drilled the ball to him on a curl route. It looked like he pushed off from Webster to make the catch but the officials deem it ok, so the Chiefs are back in this one.
Holliday returns the kick to the 21 where Manning will begin.
The Broncos move the chains immediately as Manning gets all sorts of time in the pocket and he just waits for Demaryius Thomas to come across the field and he hits him in stride for an 11-yard gain.
Manning gets time in the pocket again as he drills the ball down the seam this time to Julius Thomas and he gets over midfield for a 17-yard reception.
Manning goes outside this time to Demaryius Thomas who sprints down the right-hand sideline for 29 yards to move his side into the redzone before he gets shoved out of bounds.
The Broncos get a break from the officials as Cooper is flagged for defensive holding on Welker to move the Broncos another five yards downfield.
Moreno powers through the middle of the line on third down and two and moves the Broncos to the three-yard line, where they will have first and goal.
TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS!
A pass interference penalty moved the Broncos to the half-yard line and Manning hands the ball to Ball and he powers through the line and spins to get into the endzone for the score to move his side 10 points into the lead.
Prater kicks the ball out of the endzone so the Chiefs will begin at the 20.
The Chiefs turn to get a break on third and two as Smith's pass downfield falls incomplete to Bowe but Ihenacho is called for defensive holding on Fasano and that will move the chains for the Chiefs and move them five yards downfield.
Charles finds a huge hole in the defensive line and he sprints through the gap and manages to find 35 yards on the ground down the left-hand sideline before he's pushed out of bounds at the Denver 32.
Smith comes up big for the Chiefs on third down and seven as he hangs in the pocket and drills the ball to Bowe on a crossing route for 10 yards, which is enough for the first down at the Denver 22.
The Chiefs are rolling and make it to the Denver five-yard line as Smith draws the rush onto him and manages to lob the ball over the defenders to Davis on a screen and he sprints for a 11-yard gain before Trevathan brings him down.
The Chiefs got stuffed on the goalline as Stephen Johnson comes up big on third down as he gets to Charles at the line of scrimmage and brings him down for a loss to force a 19-yard field goal attempt from Succop. A huge moment in the game.
FIELD GOAL GOOD! Chiefs 10-17 Broncos
Succop fires his effort through the posts and we have a seven-point game at Mile High.
Succop kicks the ball out of the endzone so Manning will begin at the 20.
Manning moves the chains for his side as he goes back to Welker one play after the receiver got clattered by Flowers and this time he collects the ball in stride on a slant route and takes the ball 15 yards to the Chiefs' 34.
Decker gets his first catch of the night and takes it for eight yards which is good enough for a first down after Moreno got six yards on first down.
Manning is inches away from being intercepted by Demps but he can't come up with the catch as he jumps Julius Thomas's route and the tight end turns the catch into a 14-yard gain to move his side to the Kansas City 40.
The Chiefs make the crucial stop they need as Manning throws an incompletion on second and Moreno can only get one yard on third and that will leave a 52-yard field goal attempt for Prater.
FIELD GOAL NO GOOD!
Prater kicks his effort wide of the left-hand post and the Chiefs will have the ball in good field position with 30 seconds left and two timeouts.
Smith moves the chains as he fires to Bowe for 16 yards to move the Chiefs to the Denver 42. A chance of a field goal here maybe.
SACK! Smith holds the ball for far too long and Phillips brings him down for nine-yard loss. The worse thing for the Chiefs as he takes time off the clock and will force them into taking a timeout.
Bizarre ending to the half as Smith completes a pass to McCluster who can't get out of bounds and the clock hits zero but Woodyard is penalised for defensive holding and the half can't end on a defensive penalty giving the Chiefs another chance of a play.
The Chiefs get the extra play at the Denver 46 but they can't throw as Smith is forced to scramble but he can't get anywhere near the endzone as he goes out of bounds at the 21 and the half ends.
HALF TIME: Kansas City Chiefs 10-17 Denver Broncos
Denver hold a narrow lead at the break as Manning has guided his offense to 17 points in the first two quarters of the game while Smith and the Chiefs have only mustered 10 despite an even split of possession.
There really has been a battle between Manning and the Chiefs defensive backs which the quarterback is edging at the moment as the Denver receiving corps have made a lot of good plays to give their side the advantage.
Chiefs pass rushers Tamba Hail and Justin Houston, who have collected 20 sacks between them this season, have barely been a factor in this game as Manning has been releasing the ball quickly. They need to get to him in the second half to have a chance of winning this game, as offensive tackles Clark and Franklin have had their number.
Smith has performed well so far but needs more from his receivers after the break as they have dropped to many balls in the first half missing the chances to make plays.
Manning will start at the 20 as Succop kicks out of the endzone.
The Broncos go three and out as Manning's pass to Julius Thomas falls incomplete as he looked to find him with a back-shoulder fade, while Moreno got stuffed on the line on second. Britton Colquitt's punt is collected by McCluster and taken to the Chiefs' 37.
The Chiefs go three and out as well as Smith's deep throw for Bowe sails over his head and falls incomplete after he could only get three yards on second. Dustin Colquitt's punt falls into the endzone so Manning will start at the 20.
Moreno moves the chains for the Broncos as he powers up the middle of the line for nine yards and then comes back on second with the same play but this time gets only three yards but it's enough to move the chains.
The Broncos miss a chance for a third down conversion as Welker collects Manning's pass for a 15-yard gain but it's brought back because of a holding penalty on Franklin. On third and 19, the quarterback's pass is batted down at the line by Poe. Britton Colquitt punts away and McCluster takes it to the Chiefs' 35.
The Chiefs move the chains for the first time in the half as Smith drills the ball to McGrath over the middle of the field and he gets the first down and a lot more with a 21-yard reception.
SACK! Smith takes a huge loss on second down as Wolfe beats Fisher and drops him for a 14-yard loss. On third and 27 McCluster can only get back six. Avery should hang his head in shame as a penalty on him cost the Chiefs a first down after Charles found 10 on first down, but they were put back 13 after that. Dustin Colquitt punts to the endzone, so Manning will start at the 20.
The Broncos move the chains as Manning fires a quick strike down the right-hand sideline for Decker who get nine yards before he's shoved out of bounds and Ball comes into the game and gets the two needed on second for the first down.
Denver's drive comes to an end as Ball is stuffed on second down while Berry brings the heat on third to force Manning into an incompletion looking for Julius Thomas, who is helped to the sidelines after taking a hit from Cooper. Britton Colquitt punts to McCluster who gets taken down at the Chiefs' 13.
The Chiefs can only get five yards on their drive all through Charles on second with a run as Smith throws two incompletions on first and third. Dustin Colquitt punts downfield to Holliday and he takes the ball to the Denver 32 before he's brought down.
Moreno gets the handoff on the draw play from Manning and he finds a hole in the defense and manages to get the first down with an 11-yard carry.
Manning moves the chains in a big way for the Broncos as he fires to a wide open Decker who beats a couple of tackles to move the ball to the Denver 12 with a 33-yard reception.
TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS!
Ball gets the handoff from Manning and he runs over the right-hand side of the line and gets the angle to sprint into the endzone for the eight-yard score.
Davis gets to the 16 before he's pushed out of bounds but the play is brought back for a penalty so the Chiefs will start at their own eight.
Smith keeps the ball himself and fools the Denver defense and he manages to get 17 yards to take his side to their own 31. That was a crucial play for the Chiefs to get them moving.
Charles gets the chains moving with carries of five yards on first and then nine yards on second to move the Chiefs to the 45 at the end of the third quarter.
END OF THIRD QUARTER: Kansas City Chiefs 10-24 Denver Broncos
Smith gets a crucial throw on second and nine as he takes a hit from Jackson on his release but McCluster makes the catch for the 10-yard gain to get Kansas City on the Denver side of the field.
Another penalty costs the Chiefs big time as Smith runs for the first down but a hold by McGrath on Phillips brings them back. They can't get the yardage back as Fasano can only get 10 yards on a screen and Dustin Colquitt punts the ball into the endzone so Manning will begin at the 20. Bar of his earlier kicks that landed at three, the punting from Dustin has been extremely poor.
Manning fires to Welker on a quick out and he cuts back inside to turn Flowers inside and out and he manages to get 20 yards to move his side to the Denver 42, but he drops the ball on the play but gathers it. Welker also takes a huge hit and is slow to get to his feet. That looked painful.
Denver move the chains again as Manning fires to Decker over the middle of the field on a crossing route and he gets 17 yards before he's brought down at the Chiefs' 38.
Manning fires short to Ball this time and he evades a tackle from Johnson and gets the first down with an 11-yard reception to move the chains. That puts Denver in field goal range.
Manning throws out wide to Welker and he gets nine yards on his out route before he's thrown out of bounds just short of the marker at the Chiefs' 18. That will force a 36-yard field goal attempt.
FIELD GOAL GOOD! Chiefs 10-27 Broncos
Prater knocks the 36 yarder through the posts to make it a three-score game.
Prater kicks the ball out of the endzone so Smith will start at the 20.
Smith moves the chains on third down and five as he drills a pass over the middle of the field for Fasano who sits down in the zone for a 12-yard reception to move his side to the Chiefs' 37.
Smith fires deep again and Avery makes the catch on a deep post route for 20 yards and add another 15 to that as Adams is penalised for a facemask penalty on the receiver. That moves the Chiefs to the Denver 28.
The Chiefs move the chains as they are helped on third and 10 by a five yard penalty on Denver making it third and five and Smith fires a completion to McCluster on a wide receiver screen and he moves the ball to the Denver 10 with a 13-yard reception.
TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS! Chiefs 17-27 Broncos
Smith throws a strike to the back of the endzone and Fasano makes the catch for the touchdown for a 10-yard strike, the officials ruled it complete at first but after a challenge from Reid, the tight end was proven to have part of his leg and his ankle in the endzone for possession of the ball.
Succop kicks long and the Broncos will have the ball at their 20 for this drive.
A huge moment on the game as Manning fires to Decker on third and five. He gets knocked out of bounds a yard short of the first down marker but replays suggest that the receiver reached out the ball and got the distance. Del Rio has challenged the call.
DENVER WIN THE CHALLENGE!
Decker did get the first down and that will move the chains for the Broncos and more importantly give them a chance to run more time off the clock.
Poor from Manning as he makes a mistake as he throws an incompletion on third down and eight which stops the clock and will give the Chiefs three minutes and a bit to find a score. McCluster gets downed at his own 29 where Smith will begin.
McCluster moves the chains as Smith hits him with a back shoulder throw and he manages to get out of bounds to kill the clock with his side at the Chiefs' 48.
Game on the line as the Chiefs are on fourth down on four!
INCOMPLETE PASS!
Smith's pass to Bowe falls incomplete as it falls short of the receiver. Denver will take over on downs and that should be game over.
Third down and 12 it will be after the two-minute warning. A conversion will end the game .
No conversion from Denver and they take the clock down before the punt taking a timeout.
McCluster collects the ball at the 20 and calls for the fair catch. Smith will start at the 20 needing 10 points for a tie.
The Chiefs are knocked back for negative yardage in truly some of the most uninspiring quarterback play ever mustered by Smith as he never seemed to be switched on to the fact that he was running out of time. A poor way to end the game for the Chiefs.
DENVER WIN!
FULL TIME: Kansas City Chiefs 17-27 Denver Broncos
Denver win the crucial game in the AFC West and they move to the top of the division with a 9-1 record edging ahead of the Chiefs due to the tie-breaker.
Despite holding the Broncos to less than 30 points the Chiefs fall to their first defeat of the season as Smith and his offense really struggled. The quarterback lived up to his reputation as a game manager, as when the game was forced into his hands he couldn't produce.
It's not all on Smith though as the Chiefs vaunted pass rushers Hali and Houston failed to register a sack on Manning all game. That allowed him to complete passes with relative ease and put a lot of pressure on the defensive backs, which to their credit didn't overwhelm them.
Also some of the Chiefs receivers were extremely poor and didn't get the separation they needed from the defensive backs, who have struggled this season. There is a lot of work to do for the Chiefs now ahead of the rematch in two weeks.
The Broncos going top of the AFC West has huge implications for the playoffs as they now take the number one seed in the AFC while the Chiefs will drop to the five seed, if the records keep on their course at the moment.
There is still six weeks to play and Broncos face a tricky trip to New England next week where Manning has not enjoyed himself against his great rival Tom Brady so the Chiefs may have a chance to get the one seed back again. What a season this may shape up to be.
Thanks for joining our commentary this morning. We'll be back tomorrow when the Carolina Panthers take on the New England Patriots. Until then, goodbye.
Written by
Simon Sinclair
Simon Sinclair
