Kansas City Chiefs’ Collapse Against Denver Broncos Leaves Patrick Mahomes With More Questions

Patrick Mahomes is back in action as the Chiefs quarterback.© X/@NFL

Patrick Mahomes had done enough to put the Kansas City Chiefs in a position to take control of the AFC West. But a comfortable lead turned into another painful afternoon for Andy Reid's team in Denver. The Chiefs lost 28-24 to the Denver Broncos on Sunday after failing to protect an 11-point advantage in the fourth quarter. Mahomes delivered three touchdown passes, but the defeat exposed problems beyond the quarterback, leaving Kansas City with several issues to address.

Kansas City Chiefs face questions after Denver Broncos defeat

For much of the afternoon, Kansas City looked ready to leave Denver with an important divisional win. Mahomes completed 30 of 41 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception. His connection with Rashee Rice gave the offense a boost, while rookie Emmett Johnson provided a playmaking threat the Broncos struggled to contain.

However, the final quarter told a different story. Kansas City failed to score on its first possession of the period, and a later drive ended with a costly Harrison Butker miss. The kicker sent a 54-yard attempt wide right with 2:36 remaining and the Chiefs leading 24-21.

Denver needed little time to punish that mistake. Bo Nix found Jonah Coleman for a 51-yard reception, putting the Broncos close to the end zone. Coleman scored on the next play, handing Denver a lead it never surrendered.

"Those are hindsight. I mean, it ended up being what it was. But I think that's within Harrison's range,” Reid said.

Patrick Mahomes cannot hide Chiefs' costly mistakes

The quarterback's numbers offered little reason to place the defeat on his shoulders. The problems around him were harder to ignore. Kansas City committed 11 penalties for 105 yards, with mistakes at important moments repeatedly putting the team in difficult positions.

The final possession summed up the frustration. Mahomes appeared to have found Rice for a go-ahead touchdown from the 1-yard line, but a false start against right tackle Jaylon Moore wiped out the score. 

Kenneth Walker III failed to find room on the ground, and Denver's Malcolm Roach eventually brought Mahomes down on fourth down.

The defensive front gave the Chiefs another problem. George Karlaftis recorded their only sack of Nix, who had enough time to complete important passes during Denver's comeback.

Johnson gave a reason for optimism. The rookie finished with five catches for 128 yards and a touchdown, including a 73-yard score. His 44-yard kickoff return gave Kansas City another opportunity late in the game.