Here’s how the Chiefs can claim victory after 38-0 loss to playoff-bound Broncos
The Chiefs despised what happened to them in Denver against the Broncos on Sunday, when they were never really in a game that ended in a lopsided 38-0 loss.
But they vowed to not waste the opportunity they were given — one that set the stage for what transpired in the regular-season finale at Empower Field at Mile High.
“You never want to be on the end of this type of loss,” safety Bryan Cook said. “But we have to take something from it.”
For the Chiefs’ starters — many of whom did not play Sunday because KC, with a 15-2 record, had already locked up the AFC’s top seed for the playoffs — that meant rest and recovery after a long season.
That rest and recovery will be beneficial as the postseason begins.
“I think it’s going to be beneficial, physically,” cornerback Trent McDuffie said. “It all depends on how you go about it, how you prepare and these next weeks and mentally how you lock in.”
In different circumstances, the type of loss the Chiefs absorbed in Week 18 could have a lasting impact. They were held to 98 total yards, had the ball for a shade over 18 minutes and ran just 33 plays.
All of this against a motivated Broncos team that was fighting for its first playoff berth in nine years. And one that, after years of a revolving door at quarterback, seems to have landed on a superb one in rookie Bo Nix.
He passed for 321 yards and four touchdowns against the Chiefs on Sunday.
Undoubtedly, the Chiefs would have preferred a better showing. But they did accomplish some things besides getting rest for their starters — namely, giving snaps to other players who could at some point become key contributors.
Left tackle D.J. Humphries played for the second time since the Chiefs signed him. He suffered a hamstring injury in Week 14, missing the next three games. That cost him a chance to prove he might be the Chiefs’ answer at a position that’s been problematic this season.
Humphries looked sharp early at Denver. In the third quarter, though, he couldn’t set up quickly enough to block the Broncos’ Nik Bonitto, who dropped Carson Wentz for a sack.
Afterward, Chiefs coach Andy Reid took a wait-and-see (the film) approach.
“It was good for him to get the reps in there,” Reid said of Humphries. “That’s a plus, for sure. I’ve got to go back and look at all of it, and evaluate it. Right now it’s too early.”
While Humphries started at left tackle, Wanya Morris got the start at right tackle. KC’s Pro Bowl trio of center Creed Humphrey and guards Joe Thuney and Trey Smith manned the interior of the offensive line.
But after one series, the interior trio was replaced by three rookies: Hunter Nourzad at center, with former tackle Kingsley Suamataia at left guard and C.J. Hanson on the right side.
“We got to play a lot of young guys, and that experience is invaluable, especially against a good football team,” Reid said.
The older ones got to watch. The Chiefs’ inactive starters on Sunday included quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, McDuffie, defensive end George Karlaftis, offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor, running back Isiah Pacheco and defensive lineman Chris Jones.
Also not playing for Kansas City Sunday were receiver DeAndre Hopkins, safety Justin Reid, linebacker Drue Tranquill, running back Kareem Hunt, receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and linebacker Nick Bolton.
More than half of the Chiefs’ regular starters didn’t see the field. Now, they have to make it count as the Chiefs pursue an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl championship.
“We can’t treat it like a vacation,” McDuffie said. “Yeah, we have the No. 1 (seed), but it’s a chance to clean things up and get ready for a playoff game. ... When we come back (home), it’s time to go.”
This story was originally published January 5, 2025 at 8:29 PM.