Broncos win eighth straight after taking down Chiefs (1:18)Broncos get a game-winning field goal by Wil Lutz to take down the Chiefs for their eighth win in a row. (1:18)
When he reached the podium for his news conference, he used his voice to take much of the blame for the Chiefs’ 22-19 loss, an outcome that leveled the team’s record at 5-5.
Entering the game, the Chiefs were hoping a victory following their bye week would help them chase down the Broncos (9-2) and keep their hopes of a 10th consecutive AFC West title alive. But they now have just a 10% chance of winning the division, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, whose playoff probability model simulated the remainder of the season 10,000 times.
Entering this season, 989 teams in the Super Bowl era had started 5-5 or worse through 10 games. Just 89 of those teams (9%) went on to make the postseason, and only two made the Super Bowl. The lone team to win the Super Bowl was the 2001 New England Patriots, who were led by first-year starting quarterback Tom Brady.
“It’s just a one-week mindset,” linebacker Nick Bolton said. “I mean, every week is kind of getting to the point where it’s like a playoff week. We’ve got to find a way to one game at a time.”
All five of the Chiefs’ losses this season have occurred in one-score games (decided by eight points or fewer). Entering this season, the Chiefs had won 17 consecutive one-score games, including playoffs, which was the longest streak in NFL history.
The Chiefs understand that they, at some point, might have to win a close game — or two or three — for them to clinch a playoff spot.
“When you’re playing good teams, whether it’s myself making a [play] call or the players playing, you’ve got to do the right things,” coach Andy Reid said. “You put the guys in the right position, and then guys have got to make plays when given an opportunity. That’s both sides of the ball.”
Broncos win eighth straight after taking down Chiefs (1:18)Broncos get a game-winning field goal by Wil Lutz to take down the Chiefs for their eighth win in a row. (1:18)
Broncos get a game-winning field goal by Wil Lutz to take down the Chiefs for their eighth win in a row. (1:18)
“We haven’t been consistent enough to win games. It starts with me.”
“We’re kind of at that point where we’ve got to find a way to win games.”
On their ensuing possession, the Broncos capitalized by scoring their lone touchdown.