TRAVIS KELCE CAUGHT seven passes for 133 yards and Alex Smith threw for a touchdown as the Kansas City Chiefs used a variety of weapons to beat the Denver Broncos 29-19 last night.
The high-powered Chiefs improved to 6-2 on the NFL season with a victory that was fuelled by field goals and turnovers.
Kansas City forced five Denver turnovers, including three interceptions of Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian, and rookie Harrison Butker hit five field goals as the first-place Chiefs pulled away in the second half.
“We played good team football tonight,” said quarterback Smith of the Chiefs, who needed a win after two consecutive losses.
The mistake-prone Broncos came into the game with the number-one-ranked defence in the league, but their offence has been in a free fall of late.
“It all falls back to turning the ball over five times. That’s insane. It is mind boggling,” said Denver coach Vance Joseph, who at least could fall back on a decent running game from his team, 177 yards.
C.J. Anderson picked up 78 yards on 15 carries for Kansas City, while former Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles had 39 yards on eight carries in his return to Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City scored 12 second-half points, all on field goals from Butker, who has connected on 18 consecutive field-goal attempts.
Tight end Kelce had one touchdown catch while quarterback Smith finished 14 of 31 for 202 yards.
The Broncos’ attempt at second-half rally fell short. Running back Devontae Booker pulled Denver within a touchdown at 20-13 with a six-yard touchdown run with 1:14 remaining in the third quarter. But three Butker field goals extended the lead to 29-13.
Siemian completed 19 of 36 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown.
