Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 2010 Week 13 Recap

Game story

In Week 13 of the 2010 NFL season on 2010-12-05, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Denver Broncos, pulling away with a 10–6 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 9 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs) paced the passing game, with +1.46 total EPA, and -3.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Moreno (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.19 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-17.5% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (10:07) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton sacked at KC 37 for -8 yards (91-T.Hali). FUMBLES (91-T.Hali) [91-T.Hali], RECOVERED by KC-91-T.Hali at KC 37. 91-T.Hali to KC 37 for no gain (89-D.Graham).

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 K. Moreno · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +6.19 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
2. 2 E. Decker · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.70 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.70 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Jones · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +2.68 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Charles · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +1.97 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
5. 5 D. McCluster · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +1.93 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
6. 6 V. Tucker · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +1.90 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Cassel · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +1.46 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Gaffney · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.44 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.29 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

• Kansas City Chiefs — L. Pope (M. Cassel pass) (Q1 46:23)

Field goals

• Denver Broncos — M. Prater (Q2 31:22)
• Kansas City Chiefs — R. Succop (Q2 30:07)
• Kansas City Chiefs — unlisted player (Q2 30:00)
• Denver Broncos — M. Prater (Q4 13:47)

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 7–0. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the DEN 2 (Q1 46:23) — (1:23) 7-M.Cassel pass short right to 45-L.Pope for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Reported as eligible receivers: M.Vrabel and S.Smith; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q1 46:15) — 6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

The second quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 6–3. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the KC 8 (Q2 31:22) — (1:22) 5-M.Prater 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the DEN 29 (Q2 30:07) — (:07) 6-R.Succop 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal (Q2 30:00) — END QUARTER 2.

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 3–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the KC 23 (Q4 13:47) — (13:47) 5-M.Prater 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

Turning points

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

• Denver Broncos (Q4 10:07) — (10:07) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton sacked at KC 37 for -8 yards (91-T.Hali). FUMBLES (91-T.Hali) [91-T.Hali], RECOVERED by KC-91-T.Hali at KC 37. 91-T.Hali to KC 37 for no gain (89-D.Graham). [WPA -17.5% · EPA -4.81]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 10:57) — (10:57) (Shotgun) 27-K.Moreno up the middle to KC 24 for 24 yards (35-R.Price; 47-J.McGraw). [WPA +15.1% · EPA +2.87]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 22:37) — (7:37) 7-M.Cassel sacked at DEN 15 for -13 yards (57-M.Haggan). [WPA -9.9% · EPA -3.03]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 49:50) — (4:50) 7-M.Cassel pass short left to 22-D.McCluster to DEN 34 for 19 yards (32-P.Cox). [WPA +8.3% · EPA +1.95]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 16:36) — (1:36) 22-D.McCluster up the middle to DEN 32 for no gain (97-J.Bannan). FUMBLES (97-J.Bannan), RECOVERED by DEN-57-M.Haggan at DEN 32. [WPA -8.2% · EPA -4.46]

Impact plays

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

• Denver Broncos (Q4 10:07) — (10:07) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton sacked at KC 37 for -8 yards (91-T.Hali). FUMBLES (91-T.Hali) [91-T.Hali], RECOVERED by KC-91-T.Hali at KC 37. 91-T.Hali to KC 37 for no gain (89-D.Graham). [WPA -17.5% · EPA -4.81]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 16:36) — (1:36) 22-D.McCluster up the middle to DEN 32 for no gain (97-J.Bannan). FUMBLES (97-J.Bannan), RECOVERED by DEN-57-M.Haggan at DEN 32. [WPA -8.2% · EPA -4.46]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 22:37) — (7:37) 7-M.Cassel sacked at DEN 15 for -13 yards (57-M.Haggan). [WPA -9.9% · EPA -3.03]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 10:57) — (10:57) (Shotgun) 27-K.Moreno up the middle to KC 24 for 24 yards (35-R.Price; 47-J.McGraw). [WPA +15.1% · EPA +2.87]

Quarterback report card

M.Cassel led all passers in efficiency for Kansas City Chiefs, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs) · 36 dropbacks · 47.2% completion · -3.1% CPOE · +0.04 EPA/play · +1.46 total EPA
• K.Orton (Denver Broncos) · 33 dropbacks · 27.3% completion · -25.2% CPOE · -0.48 EPA/play · -15.77 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Denver Broncos -0.12, Kansas City Chiefs -0.07) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Denver Broncos: 12 drives, -8.32 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• Kansas City Chiefs: 11 drives, -6.23 total EPA, 2 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• K. Moreno (Denver Broncos) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Cassel (KC) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• K. Orton (DEN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

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

1. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q1 46:23 · DEN 2 · Score 0-6
   (1:23) 7-M.Cassel pass short right to 45-L.Pope for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Reported as eligible receivers: M.Vrabel and S.Smith
2. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q1 46:15 · DEN 2 · Score 0-7
   6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
3. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 31:22 · KC 8 · Score 3-7
   (1:22) 5-M.Prater 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
4. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 30:07 · DEN 29 · Score 3-10
   (:07) 6-R.Succop 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
5. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 30:00 · Score 3-10
   END QUARTER 2
6. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 13:47 · KC 23 · Score 6-10
   (13:47) 5-M.Prater 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.