One of the NFL’s fiercest yet most lopsided rivalries is set to return on “Thursday Night Football.”
The Kansas City Chiefs have won 15 straight games against the Denver Broncos, tying the NFL’s longest active streak (the New England Patriots also have a 15-game winning streak against the New York Jets). The two AFC West rivals will meet for the first time this season, with the defending champions taking on Russell Wilson and others.
Tight end Travis Kelce, the primary target for Patrick Mahomes, is listed as questionable for the game with an ankle injury, but multiple reports indicate he is expected to play. However, the 1-4 Broncos were more disorganized entering the game, with the defense giving up a league-worst 36.2 points per game.
Check back throughout the night for updates on the game:
The Chiefs were forced into another field goal, extending the lead to 16-0
Harrison Butker has been busy as the Chiefs offense is once again stuck in the red zone.
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Butker’s 25-yard field goal gave Kansas City a 16-0 lead at 5:44 of the third quarter to end the 12-play period. The biggest gain came on a 23-yard connection between Mahomes and rookie wide receiver Rashe Rice. Running back Isaiah Pacheco (11 carries, 55 yards) surpassed the 55-yard mark for the fourth straight game.
— Chris Bombaka
At halftime, the Chiefs led the Broncos 13-0
The first half of “TNF” ended with the Kansas City Chiefs leading the Denver Broncos 13-0.
Harrison Butker’s 60-yard field goal at the end of the game was one of the highlights of the first half. Patrick Mahomes’ 13-yard rush set the score.
The pace of the game made it look like Kansas City’s lead would be more than 10 points, but the Denver Nuggets defense came out strong in the red zone, holding the Chiefs to one success on four attempts.
Mahomes made 15 of 23 throws, advanced 162 yards and scored 1 touchdown, and completed a 3-yard touchdown reception with Kadarius Toney in the second quarter. Travis Kelce, Accompanied by his boyfriend, Taylor Swift, he had seven catches for 109 yards.
Russell Wilson (7-of-11, 37 yards) has been sacked three times and is averaging 3.4 yards per pass attempt.
— Chris Bombaka
Travis Kelce makes a great play as Chiefs end up in the end zone to take a 10-0 lead
The Chiefs scored their first touchdown of the game on their fourth possession.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes found wide receiver Kadarius Toney wide open on a flat route for a 3-yard touchdown.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce had two catches for 62 yards and touchdowns in seven plays, including a 19-yard catch that had Taylor Swift standing and cheering.
Kelce had a game-high seven catches for 109 yards in the first half.
— Tyler Long
‘Push’ fake shot fails, Chiefs empty
The NFL can’t get enough of a push.
The thing is, no one can execute short-yardage plays like the Philadelphia Eagles.
With 8:10 left in the first half and the Chiefs facing fourth-and-2 from the Broncos’ 6-yard line, head coach Andy Reid called for a fake field goal. Second-string tight end Noah Gray lined up under center and pushed the ball from behind through punter Tommy Townsend and offensive lineman Wanya Morris. But Gray couldn’t advance the ball to the first down mark, and the Broncos escaped with zero points on another red zone play for Kansas City.
The Chiefs went 0-for-3 in the red zone and still scored three points despite winning the position battle.
— Chris Bombaka
Kansas City commits two straight turnovers, interception by Patrick Mahomes
The Broncos and Chiefs made mistakes in the first quarter.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw an interception after the Kansas City defense forced a break.
Mahomes stands in the pocket looking for an open receiver. As the pocket collapsed around him, he threw an ill-advised pass near the end zone that was intercepted by Broncos safety Justin Simmons.
Simmons returned the interception 6 yards to the Denver 7-yard line.
It was Simmons’ first interception of the season.
— Tyler Long
Russell Wilson’s interception ends Broncos’ second drive
The Broncos had success running the ball.
Then Russell Wilson ended the party.
Wilson threw an interception against Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton, who was sitting in zone coverage underneath the Broncos receivers. Wilson never saw him and the Chiefs got the ball back at the 43-yard line. It was Wilson’s third interception of the season.
— Chris Bombaka
Travis Kelce gets Chiefs first goal on lateral play
The Chiefs’ start stalled in the red zone, but they scored three points on kicker Harrison Butker’s 35-yard field goal.
Kansas City’s opening drive was highlighted by a 5-yard catch from tight end Travis Kelce and a lateral catch to tight end Noah Gray. Gray gained another seven yards on a lateral play. This play helped establish the Chiefs’ shooting position.
The Chiefs gained a total of 42 yards on their opening drive.
— Tyler Long
Chiefs get fourth stop on Broncos’ drive
Despite moving the ball into Kansas City territory, Denver came up empty handed on the game’s opening drive.
The Broncos converted third-and-2 when Javonte Williams bounced off two tacklers, but Russell Wilson Thrown out of bounds by Justin Reed On the fourth down that followed.
The game lasted nine games and was shortened by 5 minutes and 36 seconds.
— Chris Bombaka
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce return for Chiefs game
Swift was spotted attending the Chiefs game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday. The singer wore a black dress, With red school uniform jacket. She was then seen sitting next to Travis Kelce’s mother, Donna.
— Steve Gardner and Edward Segarra
Travis Kelce active on Thursday Night Football to face Broncos
Ahead of official word on Travis Kelce’s game status Thursday night, all eyes are on the Chiefs’ inactive roster. The star tight end is a good choice.
Despite the ankle injury, Kelce is still active and will play against the Denver Broncos.
Steve Smith blasts Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy
Former NFL wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. is trying to reconcile with Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. The interaction clearly didn’t go well. and had NFL Network analysts slam the 2020 first-round pick on the NFL Network pregame show.
According to Smith, he used the word “JAG” (“just a guy”) to describe Jeudy on his “Cut To It” podcast. Smith tried to explain himself and wish Jeudy good luck on the sideline Thursday, saying Jeudy had no interest and apparently responded: “(expletive), I’m not messing with you.”
“I hope you show up today in a way that you haven’t since they drafted you,” Smith said on the broadcast.
Smith isn’t done yet: “When teams call me and ask if they should trade Jerry Jeudy, I’m going to say no. Because he’s mentally incapable of handling constructive criticism from people who are specifically watching the game, he can Be a wide receiver? He can be a wide receiver. Level 3.”
— Chris Bombaka
Frank Clark headed to Denver?
Frank Clark’s tenure with the Broncos appears to be coming to an end.
The Denver Nuggets will attempt to trade Clark before this month’s trade , according to multiple reports. Clark did not play against the Chiefs — meaning he will not face his former team in the AFC West game — and has played in just two games since signing with the Broncos last offseason. (36 games). NFL Network reported that Clark and the Broncos modified his contract to facilitate a potential trade.
Clark spent the first four seasons of his career with the Seattle Seahawks before being acquired by the Chiefs before the 2019 season. He won two Super Bowls with Kansas City and made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2019-21.
Denver took over another veteran pass rusher in Randy Gregory last week. Send him to the San Francisco 49ers for late-round draft compensation.
— Chris Bombaka
Chief is inactive
Broncos inactive
What time does Thursday Night Football start?
The Broncos’ game against the Chiefs will begin on October 12 at 8:15 pm ET.
How do I watch the Broncos vs. Chiefs game? Is Thursday Night Football only on Prime?
Chiefs’ Broncos will Streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and only in local markets.
Broncos vs. Chiefs Prediction
Tyler Long: Chiefs 28, Broncos 16
The Broncos are a mess and on the verge of a fire sale. Denver’s chances of facing the defending Super Bowl champions are slim to none. The Chiefs have won four straight since losing the season opener. Surprisingly, Kansas City’s defense ranks in the top 10, and their wide receivers are slowly improving. Patrick Mahomes targeted Rashe Rice, Kadarius Toney and Justin Rose 15 times in Week 5.
Victoria Hernandez: Chiefs 30, Broncos 17
Are Patrick Mahomes and company the same team as last year? No. But the Broncos haven’t shown anything this year that would make them competitive in an uneven “race.” last week, Sean Payton got a piece of the humble pie, and the short turnaround didn’t help his cause.
Safed Dean: Chiefs 27, Broncos 17
Travis Kelce may be limited with an ankle injury, but if Kansas City wants to defend its title, Patrick Mahomes needs to get other playmakers involved. I like the Chiefs at home against the Broncos, who are off to a 1-4 start under Sean Payton and feel like a dysfunctional team.
Broncos vs Chiefs odds
The Chiefs enter Thursday as a 10.5-point favorite, according to the numbers BetMGM NFL odds.
Thursday night football pregame show
Amazon’s Pursuit Create unique pre-game and post-game programming around Thursday Night Football.
