Broncos vs. Chiefs second quarter recap

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 14: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter in the game at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Denver Broncos drive was derailed by a really bad holding call on Pat Bryant. The hold was just the Kansas City Chiefs player falling down, but that's how it goes in today's NFL. They would punt it back to the Chiefs after gaining most of the yards back.

Refs called this clip below a hold on the Broncos earlier in the game, but did not call this hold on the Chiefs o-line. Look at #70 https://t.co/gKfu5kYfUEpic.twitter.com/vLlxg3BRPs

- Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) September 15, 2026

Denver's defense would come up big on the Chiefs' next drive with Malcolm Roach tipping a third down pass near midfield to force another punt.

Starting from their own 12 yard line, Bo Nix and the Broncos offense opened things up with a checkdown to Adam Trautman for a six yard gain and a quick toss outside to Pat Bryant was an easy first down but he took his eye off the ball just long enough to drop it. On third down and four, Nix hit Jaylen Waddle finally but was immediately hit and tackled a yard short of the first down marker.

After a short two yard run for the Chiefs, Que Robinson exploded off the edge and nearly sacked Patrick Mahomes who threw the ball into the dirt to avoid the sack. On third and eight, Mahomes was pressured again and somehow picked his way through the line and gained just enough for the first down. That would be all they would get and would be punting a few plays later.

A nice punt return by Marvin Mims Jr. finally got the Broncos starting position outside of the 20 yard line for a change. An end around by Troy Franklin picked up five, then an outstanding spin move by RJ Harvey picked up four yards. On third and one, Nix from an empty backfield was immediately pressured and had to scramble to throw it away for yet another punt.

Denver's defense finally buckled. Giving up a third and 10 conversion to Kenneth Walker who then took the ball on the next play for 28 yards up the middle into Broncos' territory.

Kenneth Runner

DENvsKC on ESPN
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- NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2026

Walker continued to dominate into the two minute warning get the Chiefs just outside the red zone. That drive would be capped by more missed tackles on a short pass to Rashee Rice for a 13-yard touchdown to put Kansas City back out in front.

Chiefs 14, Broncos 7.

With 90 seconds left, Nix and the Broncos tried to mount a drive. They would go three-and-out instead and give the Chiefs the ball back with time left to do something with it. A holding penalty on the punt pushed them back to their own 10. They wouldn't get a chunk play and ended up running the clock out.