Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 2008 Week 4 Recap

Game story

In Week 4 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-09-28, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Denver Broncos, pulling away with a 33–19 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Cutler (Denver Broncos) paced the passing game, with -0.80 total EPA, and +0.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Bowe (Kansas City Chiefs) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.80 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-35.4% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (3:42) (Shotgun) 15-B.Marshall left end to DEN 42 for -8 yards (56-D.Johnson). FUMBLES (56-D.Johnson), RECOVERED by KC-24-B.Flowers at DEN 39. 24-B.Flowers to DEN 2 for 37 yards (89-D.Graham). DEN-73-

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 D. Bowe · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +8.80 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.26 EPA/play
2. 2 B. Marshall · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +7.10 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Gonzalez · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +6.10 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.03 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Stokley · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.33 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Pittman · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.32 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.16 EPA/play
6. 6 E. Royal · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.59 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Huard · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +3.04 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Scheffler · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.91 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.91 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Denver Broncos — B. Marshall (J. Cutler pass) (Q2 38:59)
• Kansas City Chiefs — L. Johnson (Q2 32:43)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Gonzalez (D. Huard pass) (Q4 12:46)
• Kansas City Chiefs — L. Johnson (Q4 1:45)

Field goals

• Kansas City Chiefs — N. Novak (Q1 54:55)
• Kansas City Chiefs — N. Novak (Q1 50:28)
• Denver Broncos — M. Prater (Q2 30:14)
• Denver Broncos — M. Prater (Q3 27:17)
• Kansas City Chiefs — N. Novak (Q3 23:47)
• Denver Broncos — M. Prater (Q4 8:01)
• Kansas City Chiefs — N. Novak (Q4 3:53)
• Denver Broncos — M. Prater (Q4 2:09)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 6–0. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the DEN 5 (Q1 54:55) — (9:55) 9-N.Novak 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the DEN 3 (Q1 50:28) — (5:28) 9-N.Novak 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 16 (Q2 38:59) — (8:59) 6-J.Cutler pass deep middle to 15-B.Marshall for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q2 38:53) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q2 32:43) — (2:43) 27-L.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 32:43) — 9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the KC 38 (Q2 30:14) — (:14) 5-M.Prater 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the KC 33 (Q3 27:17) — (12:17) 5-M.Prater 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the DEN 25 (Q3 23:47) — (8:47) 9-N.Novak 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

The fourth quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 17–6. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the DEN 10 (Q4 12:46) — (12:46) 11-D.Huard pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. KC-88-T.Gonzalez was injured during the play.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 12:40) — 9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the KC 3 (Q4 8:01) — (8:01) 5-M.Prater 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the DEN 15 (Q4 3:53) — (3:53) 9-N.Novak 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the KC 15 (Q4 2:09) — (2:09) 5-M.Prater 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the DEN 16 (Q4 1:45) — (1:45) 27-L.Johnson left tackle for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 1:37) — 9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Denver Broncos (Q2 33:42) — (3:42) (Shotgun) 15-B.Marshall left end to DEN 42 for -8 yards (56-D.Johnson). FUMBLES (56-D.Johnson), RECOVERED by KC-24-B.Flowers at DEN 39. 24-B.Flowers to DEN 2 for 37 yards (89-D.Graham). DEN-73- [WPA -35.4% · EPA -8.07]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 22:32) — (7:32) 27-L.Johnson right tackle to DEN 45 for -2 yards (24-C.Bailey). FUMBLES (24-C.Bailey), RECOVERED by DEN-97-B.Bailey at DEN 45. 97-B.Bailey to DEN 45 for no gain (27-L.Johnson). Kansas City chal [WPA -15.2% · EPA -5.15]
• Denver Broncos (Q3 21:46) — (6:46) 6-J.Cutler pass deep right intended for 15-B.Marshall INTERCEPTED by 39-B.Carr at KC 21. 39-B.Carr to DEN 47 for 32 yards (73-C.Kuper). [WPA -13.7% · EPA -4.64]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 59:13) — (14:13) 27-L.Johnson up the middle to DEN 21 for 65 yards (32-D.Bly, 24-C.Bailey). [WPA +13.2% · EPA +4.76]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 41:25) — (11:25) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short left to 28-M.Pittman to KC 30 for 40 yards (49-B.Pollard) [90-T.McBride]. [WPA +12.9% · EPA +4.23]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Denver Broncos (Q2 33:42) — (3:42) (Shotgun) 15-B.Marshall left end to DEN 42 for -8 yards (56-D.Johnson). FUMBLES (56-D.Johnson), RECOVERED by KC-24-B.Flowers at DEN 39. 24-B.Flowers to DEN 2 for 37 yards (89-D.Graham). DEN-73- [WPA -35.4% · EPA -8.07]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 22:32) — (7:32) 27-L.Johnson right tackle to DEN 45 for -2 yards (24-C.Bailey). FUMBLES (24-C.Bailey), RECOVERED by DEN-97-B.Bailey at DEN 45. 97-B.Bailey to DEN 45 for no gain (27-L.Johnson). Kansas City chal [WPA -15.2% · EPA -5.15]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 59:13) — (14:13) 27-L.Johnson up the middle to DEN 21 for 65 yards (32-D.Bly, 24-C.Bailey). [WPA +13.2% · EPA +4.76]
• Denver Broncos (Q3 21:46) — (6:46) 6-J.Cutler pass deep right intended for 15-B.Marshall INTERCEPTED by 39-B.Carr at KC 21. 39-B.Carr to DEN 47 for 32 yards (73-C.Kuper). [WPA -13.7% · EPA -4.64]

Quarterback report card

J.Cutler led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Cutler (Denver Broncos) · 50 dropbacks · 58.0% completion · +0.4% CPOE · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.80 total EPA
• D.Huard (Kansas City Chiefs) · 29 dropbacks · 72.4% completion · +12.9% CPOE · +0.10 EPA/play · +3.04 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Kansas City Chiefs held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.10), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Denver Broncos: 13 drives, -9.03 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Kansas City Chiefs: 13 drives, +3.41 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Kansas City Chiefs leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• D. Bowe (Kansas City Chiefs) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Huard (KC) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q1 54:55 · DEN 5 · Score 0-3
   (9:55) 9-N.Novak 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
2. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q1 50:28 · DEN 3 · Score 0-6
   (5:28) 9-N.Novak 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
3. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 38:59 · KC 16 · Score 6-6
   (8:59) 6-J.Cutler pass deep middle to 15-B.Marshall for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 38:53 · KC 2 · Score 7-6
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.
5. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 32:43 · DEN 1 · Score 7-12
   (2:43) 27-L.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 32:43 · DEN 2 · Score 7-13
   9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
7. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 30:14 · KC 38 · Score 10-13
   (:14) 5-M.Prater 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.
8. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q3 27:17 · KC 33 · Score 13-13
   (12:17) 5-M.Prater 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.
9. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q3 23:47 · DEN 25 · Score 13-16
   (8:47) 9-N.Novak 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
10. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 12:46 · DEN 10 · Score 13-22
    (12:46) 11-D.Huard pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. KC-88-T.Gonzalez was injured during the play.
11. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 12:40 · DEN 2 · Score 13-23
    9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
12. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 8:01 · KC 3 · Score 16-23
    (8:01) 5-M.Prater 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.
13. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q4 3:53 · DEN 15 · Score 16-26
    (3:53) 9-N.Novak 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
14. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 2:09 · KC 15 · Score 19-26
    (2:09) 5-M.Prater 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.
15. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 1:45 · DEN 16 · Score 19-32
    (1:45) 27-L.Johnson left tackle for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 1:37 · DEN 2 · Score 19-33
    9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.