Coming into their Week 18 matchup in opposition to the Denver Broncos, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs had little at stake — and Sunday afternoon, it confirmed on the sphere. The Chiefs suffered a uncommon shutout loss, falling 38-0 to the Broncos. It was the primary time Kansas Metropolis had been held scoreless throughout head coach Andy Reid’s tenure.
After all, the crew already secured the AFC’s No. 1 postseason seed — and had a number of starters taking the week off, permitting youthful gamers to realize precious expertise. Whereas Reid definitely wasn’t anticipating a 38-point blowout, he was in a position to establish some positives from the lopsided defeat.
“We acquired to play a number of younger guys,” Reid stated after the sport. “That have is invaluable — particularly in opposition to an excellent soccer crew. We have to do higher, clearly — however that chance, once more, is one thing that’s particular.”
With Patrick Mahomes inactive for the sport, backup quarterback Carson Wentz was the beginning signal-caller. Whereas Wentz has been serviceable in reduction this season, Sunday’s sport was one other story: the offense struggled mightily in opposition to Denver’s protection. They punted the ball 5 instances — and managed simply 98 web yards, which was in stark distinction to the Broncos’ 479.
“Clearly, not adequate,” Wentz stated of the crew’s efficiency. “We didn’t play nice as a crew — and I didn’t play my finest, both. You progress on from this one fairly fast. It was enjoyable to get on the market [and] enjoyable to offer myself — and a number of the fellows — an opportunity to simply go on the market and compete. However clearly, they have been a greater crew immediately.”
Wentz accomplished 10-of-17 passes for 98 yards and no touchdowns. He was sacked 4 instances as he endured constant stress that disrupted the offense’s rhythm. Kansas Metropolis’s lone scoring alternative got here late within the first half after a 25-yard completion to vast receiver Nikko Remigio helped arrange a 51-yard discipline objective try. However as time expired, placekicker Harrison Butker missed.
“I missed some throws, did some issues, needed some performs again,” Wentz admitted. “I feel all of us do in some capability. However I’ve acquired to play higher. Sadly, we didn’t maintain a pair [of] drives early — and impulsively, we’re within the second half. So it was only a bizarre circulate of the sport — and all these issues.”
Regardless of the disappointing efficiency, the crew is way from discouraged. Ending the common season at 15-2 with the AFC’s high seed remains to be an unlimited accomplishment. And the Chiefs can now shift their focus to their true objective: successful one other championship within the postseason.
“In the present day was not nice, however we all know what’s forward of us as a crew,” Wentz stated. “Pat, all people — all of the starters — they know what’s forward of us: the place we’re attempting to go and what we’re able to doing. Our mindset is on that.”
