Final score: Broncos shut out Chiefs’ reserves 38-0 in Week 18

Kansas City rested key players ahead of the postseason, setting up Denver to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

The Kansas City Chiefs had little to prove in their season finale, so they were resting starters after clinching the AFC’s No. 1 postseason seed. But the 38-0 loss to the Denver Broncos on Empower Field at Mile High was still hard to watch. The Chiefs now get a week off before their Divisional playoff game on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, while the Broncos will move on to their Wild Card matchup on the road against the Buffalo Bills.

---

First quarter

---

The Chiefs won the opening coin toss, setting up the Broncos to take possession to begin the game. The first drive began at the 30-yard line after a touchback.

The Denver offense came out firing, driving past midfield without much resistance. From the 32-yard line, a strong design set up wide receiver Marvin Mims to take a screen to the house. It gave the Broncos a 7-0 lead with just over three minutes gone by.

Quarterback Carson Wentz took the reins of the Chiefs’ offense, but could not create momentum on the first drive. After two runs, a short pass on third down to wide receiver Justin Watson was too far. It led to a punt.

On the second possession, Broncos’ quarterback Bo Nix picked up where he left off on the initial drive. He moved the chains on third down with his arm, then found wide receiver Courtland Sutton deep for a 47-yard gain. A few snaps later, Nix and Sutton hooked up again in the end zone, pushing the Broncos’ lead to 14-0.

The Chiefs continued treading water on offense, even after the benefit of a defensive pass interference penalty to open the team’s second drive. Wentz was nearly sacked on third down, and was forced to check down on third down, leading to another punt.

---

Second quarter

---

Denver hogged the ball on its third possession, taking 13 plays and over eight minutes to advance into the red zone. The Chiefs forced third and one at the 15-yard line, but Nix snuck to move the chains. The long drive ended with a circus-catch touchdown, caught by wide receiver Devaughn Vele after being tipped up by cornerbacks Nazeeh Johnson and Keith Taylor.

The extra point gave Denver a 21-0 lead with under seven minutes remaining in the first half.

Wentz and the Chiefs’ offense finally established a rhythm now down three scores. It started with an impressive third-down catch by wide receiver Nikko Remigio to sustain the possession. Then, Wentz found running back Samaje Perine in the flat to convert fourth down.

From the Broncos’ 23-yard line, the Chiefs only went backwards. A sack on third down set up a field goal attempt, but the 51-yard kick was no good. Denver maintained its 21-0 lead with just over a minute left on the game clock.

The Broncos shot themselves in the foot twice looking to get into scoring position before halftime. Two penalties set them back, but a long completion allowed by Johnson still gave them a chance to kick a field goal. The successful try gave Denver a 24-0 lead over the Chiefs at halftime.

---

Third quarter

---

The Chiefs’ offense began the second half by moving the chains with a 15-yard catch and run by tight end Peyton Hendershot. That was the end of the forward progress for the Chiefs, punting three plays later.

The defense of the Chiefs forced a punt for the first time this game to begin the third quarter. The stop was highlighted by safety Jaden Hicks, who broke up a first-down pass before making the tackle on third down. Defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah also made a tackle for loss to finish a run play.

The offense could not take advantage of the Chiefs’ first defensive stop. The three and out culminated with a pass broken up short of the sticks.

Denver got back on track with the offense, going 11 plays and 79 yards to put another touchdown on the board. A long pass to Vele got them in position, then Mims finished it with his second touchdown of the game. The Broncos led 31-0.

Another Chiefs drive ended scoreless and with a sack of Wentz, leading into the final period.

---

Fourth quarter

---

The Broncos’ offense was too hot to cool down, looking effortless in the latest drive into Chiefs’ territory. Denver chipped away to the one-yard line, finally punching it in with a run to extend the lead to 38-0.

Third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun took over for Went with around nine minutes left in the game. He fumbled on second down, then ran out of bounds on third down to set up a punt.

The Broncos matched the Chiefs by putting in a backup quarterback of their own. Even with the replacement of Nix, the Kansas City defense was unable to get off the field. The Broncos were able to keep possession through the one-minute mark of the game, punting back to the Chiefs with little time left.

Two run plays later, the Chiefs’ 38-0 loss was finalized.

---

Injuries

---

Safety Chamarri Conner suffered a shoulder injury during the game. The team ruled him out from returning in the second half.

---

Special Teams

---

Punter Matt Araiza punted five times; three of them were downed inside the 20-yard line.

Kicker Harrison Butker missed a 51-yard field goal late in the first half.

---

Statistics

---