--Associated Press
DENVER (AP) — Tyrann Mathieu recovered an early fumble to start a snowball effect as the the Kansas City Chiefs took advantage of four turnovers in a 43-16 win over the Denver Broncos.
It was all fun and games in the snowy conditions for the Chiefs. The Broncos were given the cold shoulder as they dropped their 10th straight game to their AFC West rival. Melvin Gordon had two fumbles and Drew Lock threw two interceptions.
Following the signing of running back Le'Veon Bell, fans wondered how head coach Andy Reid would distribute the ball between the veteran tailback and rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Edwards-Helaire showed early that he was still the lead back, running hard early and carrying the ball in for an 11 yard touchdown run
Denver would follow that touchdown up with a drive that ended in a punt, but a fumble by backup tight end Nick Keizer would give them the ball right back, allowing former Missouri quarterback Drew Lock to drive down the field, taking the ball in himself on an option from 2 yards out.
It would be all Kansas City from that point though, following a Chiefs field goal, as the defense would take over with Mathieu recovering the fumble from Melvin Gordon, and then Daniel Sorensen on the next Broncos drive intercepted Lock and took the ball back 50 yards for a touchdown
The Chiefs executed well in all phases of the game, as they changed up their kickoff return man in this game, putting former Kansas State wide receiver and returner Byron Pringle back, and Pringle showed his return ability, taking the ball back 102 yards for a touchdown that put the Chiefs up 24-9, which was the score at halftime
The offense would slow down in the second half due to the cold weather and snow, only managing two Harrison Butker field goals in the third quarter, but Patrick Mahomes would find Tyreek Hill in the fourth quarter for a 10 yard touchdown.
Following a Melvin Gordon touchdown that was the final score of the game for Denver, Reid would give his backups some playing time, with Chad Henne under center, and Henne would get the final score for the Chiefs, scrambling in from 1 yard out, to end the scoring
The Chiefs are now 6-1 on the season and sit atop the AFC West. Next up they will return to Arrowhead Stadium for what will be a revenge matchup for Le'Veon Bell as the New York Jets, who he played for earlier this season prior to his release, come to Kansas City