Broncos at Chiefs: Highlights, score and recap

In a matchup of two AFC West teams, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos inside Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night.

The Denver Broncos knew it was going to be tough to go into Arrowhead Stadium and pull out a win, and they certainly did not do themselves any favors early on. Chiefs star safety Marcus Peters scooped up a Jamaal Charles fumble and rumbled 45 yards for a touchdown to open up the scoring. Already down 7-0, the Broncos let Travis Kelce get behind the defense for a second Chiefs touchdown, and in a blink, it was 14-0 Chiefs.

After a Peters interception of Trevor Siemian, the Chiefs looked like they were going to punch in another score. However, Kansas City tried to run a trick play on a running back pass, and Tyreek Hill was intercepted in the end zone. Denver would proceed to drive right down the field on the Chiefs, but they would have to settle for a field goal. Kansas City booted one of their own through before the half, hitting the locker room with a 17-3 lead.

In the second half, it was all about the defense, as both units really stood out. Siemian just could do nothing to move the ball, and every time it looked like the Chiefs would break the game open, the Broncos defense would get a stop. With a little under one and a half minutes left in the third quarter, Denver scored their first touchdown of the game, as Devontae Booker ran one in from six yards out to pull the Broncos to within a score, 20-13.

From that point, it was the Harrison Butker show, as the rookie blasted three field goals to put the game out of reach. He has been as close to automatic a kicker as there is in the AFC, and is a serious weapon for the Chiefs moving forward. Denver tacked on a touchdown late, as Siemian hit A.J. Derby with under two minutes left, but they missed the two-point conversion, essentially ending any chance to win the game.

Both of these teams showed some kinks in the armor on Monday night, but the Chiefs are a legitimate Super Bowl contender at this point.

Highlights

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Three Stars

1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

Travis Kelce showed the world why he is considered one of the best tight ends in the NFL on Monday night. Every time the Chiefs need a big play, there was Kelce, shredding a very tough Broncos secondary. Kelce finished the game with seven catches for 133 yards and a touchdown on Monday night, helping the Chiefs to a tie for the best record in the AFC at 7-2.

2. Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs

This kid from Georgia Tech has been one of the Chiefs best weapons this season and has now not missed a field goal since Nov. 2. In his last three games, Butker has hit 15 straight field goals, and is about as automatic as they come in the conference. The offense struggled when in the red zone, but Butker picked them up, and we all know how big that will be come playoff time.

3. Kansas City Chiefs defense

This game was not close, and even when it looked like Denver may make a run, the Chiefs defense made sure there would be none of that. Marcus Peters opened up the scoring with a fumble return for a TD, and then led a unit that intercepted Trevor Siemian three times. On a day where the offense struggled mightily at times, the defense made sure to keep their foot on the Broncos throats all game long.

Betting Lines

The Kansas City Chiefs were big-time home favorites in this one, giving the Denver Broncos seven points, as they have been pretty tough at home this season. They covered that spread, winning by 10. The over/under for the game was set at 44.0 points and had it not been for the late Broncos touchdown, it would have gone under. Remember to check out sportsbookreview.com for up-to-date numbers prior to kick off each week.

Next: NFL power rankings, Week 8: Chargers rise, Falcons fallNext Week

These two teams will take on the NFC East this upcoming week, in two games that should be very intriguing. The Kansas City Chiefs will leave the friendly confines of Arrowhead Stadium and head to the Lonestar State, as they take on the Dallas Cowboys. Denver will remain on the road, heading East, where they will take on the Philadelphia Eagles, who are sporting the best record in the NFL at 7-1.