Second Quarter
The second quarter was quite a bizarre one for the Denver Broncos. Having a lead, the Chiefs punted and pinned Denver at the five yard line. After failing to get a yard on the ground, it was opted to pass. Just as Case Keenum found Jeff Heuerman, Xavier Williams hit Keenum in the end zone for a safety.
Some good fortune would continue to be provided for the Chiefs. Right after the free punt, Patrick Mahomes went deep and found Sammy Watkins all alone down the field. Watkins completed the catch and scored the touchdown. It turned out that Justin Simmons bit on the play action and found himself trailing Watkins.
It seemed to get even worse when Case Keenum was rattled and lost the football attempting for the first down. Kansas City recovered and it looked as if the Chiefs were going to head into halftime with a decent lead.
However, on third down just outside the two minute warning, the Broncos dialed up a blitz. Brandon Marshall got to Mahomes and the ball was fumbled. Will Parks happened to be there on a safety blitz and recovered the fumble. After shedding the offensive lineman away, he would go all the way for a 66 yard fumble return for a touchdown.
That would give the Broncos a 14-9 lead. Brandon McManus would tack on a field goal in the closing seconds of the half to give Denver a 17-9 halftime lead.