Images of Broncos Country from Denver's Week 11 game against St. Louis
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Week 11: Won 24-20 vs. Seattle Seahawks
How it happened:The Chiefs led for nearly the entire game before falling behind by three points late in the third quarter. They responded nearly immediately on the back of Jamaal Charles, who had a 47-yard run that led to Knile Davis' game-winning touchdown around the beginning of the fourth quarter. Seattle's bounce-back attempt came up short, ending on fourth down two yards from the end zone. Though the Seahawks would get a couple more shots to regain the lead, they couldn't move the chains and turned the ball over on downs on their last two drives, allowing the Chiefs to run out the clock for the win.
It was over when: Seattle's last-gasp attempt to get a first down needing 18 yards fell incomplete on a pass attempt to Paul Richardson, giving the ball back to Kansas City with 1:13 remaining.
Key performer: Jamaal Charles ran all over the Seahawks for 159 yards and two touchdowns. With 20 carries, Charles averaged about eight yards per carry and powered the Chiefs' offense. A lost fumble in the third quarter led to a Seahawks touchdown, but Charles made up for it on the next drive that led to the go-ahead touchdown to win the game.
Between the hash marks:
- The Chiefs' offense only faced six third downs, converting two. With a few quick drives getting big chunks of yards, they didn't need to slowly chug to get first downs, and they were efficient enough in the red zone to stay ahead for most of the game.
- Kansas City's defense stood up in the fourth quarter to deny Seattle from getting in the end zone, forcing them to turn the ball over on downs in each drive attempt in the fourth quarter. Even with Seattle knocking on the door on the Chiefs' 2-yard-line, Kansas City held strong. Then, after Seattle got the ball back in friendly field position on the ensuing punt with Dustin Colquitt backed up deep in the end zone, the Chiefs denied Lynch on a tough short-yardage run on fourth down.
- The Chiefs have now won five games in a row and have won each of their last four home games.
What's next: The Chiefs head to O.co Coliseum to take on the Raiders on the road.
-Ben Swanson
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Week 11: Lost 13-6 at San Diego
How it happened: Derek Carr fumbled the snap on the first play of the game and the Chargers recovered, giving them the ball on the Oakland 22. Two plays later, Philip Rivers connected with Malcom Floyd for a 22-yard touchdown. This would be the first and final touchdown of the game. The Raiders kicked a field goal on their third and 12th drives of the game. The offense could only manage 233 yards of total offense, including just 71 yards on the ground. Carr completed 16-of-34 attempts (47.1 percent) for 172 yards, but the Raiders' offense was unable to find the end zone for the second time this season. The Raiders' defense has been solid in the red zone this defense and they forced the Chargers to kick a field goal in their only red-zone possession, keeping the game within reach.
It was over when: It wasn't over until the end in this game as the Raiders got the ball back with 1:05 left down by seven. With 11 seconds left, Carr's pass to James Jones fell incomplete, ending the game.
Key performer:Charles Woodson helped the Raiders' secondary hold the Chargers to just 180 passing yards, their second-lowest output of the year. The veteran set a new career-high in tackles with 14.
Between the hash marks:
- Khalil Mack, one of the bright spots in the Raiders' 0-10 season, recorded his first sack of the year when he brought down Philip Rivers for a 5-yard loss in the fourth quarter. Antonio Smith also got to Rivers for a sack.
- Of the 26 combined possessions in this game, 18 ended in punts.
- Two times in the game, the Raiders defense forced the Chargers to punt on four straight drives.
What's next:The Raiders take on the Chiefs at home on Thursday night.
-Lauren Giudice
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Week 11: Won 13-6 vs. Oakland Raiders
How it happened:The Chargers recovered a fumble on the first play from scrimmage after a bad snap by the Raiders and turned it into seven points with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Malcom Floyd less than a minute into the game. Those seven points would be all they needed, as the defense allowed a total of three first downs through three quarters and ultimately gave up just six points. The teams averaged just 4.4 (Chargers) and 4.2 (Raiders) yards per play in this defensive battle, making the early fumble, which was the only turnover of the game, crucial.
It was over when:On the final play of the game, Derek Carr heaved a Hail Mary from more than 60 yards from the end zone. The ball came up short and fell incomplete as the final second ticked off the clock.
Key performer:In a game without many standout performers, Keenan Allen had himself a nice day. Eight catches for 63 yards was a nice start, but he also managed 44 yards on four punt returns, helping the Chargers start their drives at their 31-yard line on average, compared to Oakland starting at their 18.
Between the hash marks:
- This game featured 39 fewer combined points than the teams' first meeting in Oakland in Week 6.
- After averaging 25.6 points per game through the first eight games, the Chargers have scored just 13 in the last two games combined.
- After the Chargers struggled to get their run game going the past three weeks, they were able to rack up 120 yards on the ground, their second-highest total this season.
What's next:The Chargers host the Rams in San Diego.
-David DeChant
