Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 2015 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-09-17, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Kansas City Chiefs, pulling away with a 31–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

P. Manning (Denver Broncos) paced the passing game, with -0.98 total EPA, and -2.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, E. Sanders (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.10 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-56.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (:35) (Shotgun) 25-J.Charles up the middle to KC 21 for 1 yard (54-B.Marshall). FUMBLES (54-B.Marshall), RECOVERED by DEN-29-B.Roby at KC 21. 29-B.Roby for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official rev

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 E. Sanders · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +10.10 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Kelce · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +4.58 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
3. 3 J. O'Shaughnessy · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +4.38 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.19 EPA/play
4. 4 V. Green · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.87 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Davis · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +1.70 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Caldwell · Denver Broncos · Receiving · -0.08 total EPA · 2 snaps · -0.04 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Smith · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · -0.14 total EPA · 1 snaps · -0.14 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Anderson · Denver Broncos · Receiving · -0.17 total EPA · 1 snaps · -0.17 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 — J. Charles (Q2 39:20)
• Kansas City Chiefs — M. Peters (Q2 36:37)
• Denver Broncos — E. Sanders (P. Manning pass) (Q2 32:36)
• Denver Broncos — V. Green (P. Manning pass) (Q2 30:54)
• Kansas City Chiefs — K. Davis (Q4 2:32)
• Denver Broncos — E. Sanders (P. Manning pass) (Q4 0:40)
• Denver Broncos — J. Charles (Q4 0:35)

Field goals

• Kansas City Chiefs — C. Santos (Q3 24:51)
• Denver Broncos — B. McManus (Q3 18:23)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 14–14. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the DEN 34 (Q2 39:20) — (9:20) (Shotgun) 25-J.Charles left end for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q2 39:11) — 5-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the KC 50 (Q2 36:37); Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q2 36:27) — 5-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 16 (Q2 32:36) — (2:36) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 10-E.Sanders for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q2 32:31) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 1 (Q2 30:54) — (:54) 18-P.Manning pass short middle to 85-V.Green for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q2 30:48) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the DEN 17 (Q3 24:51) — (9:51) 5-C.Santos 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the KC 36 (Q3 18:23) — (3:23) 8-B.McManus 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 14–7. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the DEN 8 (Q4 2:32) — (2:32) 34-K.Davis left end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q4 2:27); Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 19 (Q4 0:40) — (:40) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 10-E.Sanders for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q4 0:36) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DEN 80 (Q4 0:35); Denver Broncos added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q4 0:27) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

Turning points

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

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 0:35) — (:35) (Shotgun) 25-J.Charles up the middle to KC 21 for 1 yard (54-B.Marshall). FUMBLES (54-B.Marshall), RECOVERED by DEN-29-B.Roby at KC 21. 29-B.Roby for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official rev [WPA -56.8% · EPA -7.26]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 0:40) — (:40) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 10-E.Sanders for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.9% · EPA +3.83]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 4-B.Colquitt punts 48 yards to KC 27, Center-46-A.Brewer. 13-D.Thomas to KC 31 for 4 yards (48-S.Barrett). Denver challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 4 [WPA +18.5% · EPA +5.63]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 36:37) — (6:37) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right intended for 88-D.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 22-M.Peters at KC 45. 22-M.Peters for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -14.3% · EPA -8.83]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 6:40) — (6:40) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short right intended for 13-D.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 25-C.Harris at DEN 10. 25-C.Harris to DEN 30 for 20 yards (66-B.Grubbs). [WPA -12.5% · EPA -4.79]

Impact plays

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

• Denver Broncos (Q2 36:37) — (6:37) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right intended for 88-D.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 22-M.Peters at KC 45. 22-M.Peters for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -14.3% · EPA -8.83]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 0:35) — (:35) (Shotgun) 25-J.Charles up the middle to KC 21 for 1 yard (54-B.Marshall). FUMBLES (54-B.Marshall), RECOVERED by DEN-29-B.Roby at KC 21. 29-B.Roby for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official rev [WPA -56.8% · EPA -7.26]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 4-B.Colquitt punts 48 yards to KC 27, Center-46-A.Brewer. 13-D.Thomas to KC 31 for 4 yards (48-S.Barrett). Denver challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 4 [WPA +18.5% · EPA +5.63]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 6:40) — (6:40) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short right intended for 13-D.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 25-C.Harris at DEN 10. 25-C.Harris to DEN 30 for 20 yards (66-B.Grubbs). [WPA -12.5% · EPA -4.79]

Quarterback report card

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

• P.Manning (Denver Broncos) · 51 dropbacks · 51.0% completion · -2.0% CPOE · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.98 total EPA
• A.Smith (Kansas City Chiefs) · 32 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -6.4% CPOE · -0.38 EPA/play · -12.10 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Denver Broncos generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.01 vs -0.11), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Denver Broncos: 14 drives, -1.26 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Kansas City Chiefs: 14 drives, -8.73 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Denver Broncos 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.
• E. Sanders (Denver Broncos) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• A. Smith (KC) 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) — Q2 39:20 · DEN 34 · Score 0-6
   (9:20) (Shotgun) 25-J.Charles left end for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 39:11 · DEN 15 · Score 0-7
   5-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
3. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 36:37 · KC 50 · Score 0-13
   (6:37) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right intended for 88-D.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 22-M.Peters at KC 45. 22-M.Peters for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 36:27 · DEN 15 · Score 0-14
   5-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
5. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 32:36 · KC 16 · Score 6-14
   (2:36) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 10-E.Sanders for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 32:31 · KC 15 · Score 7-14
   8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
7. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 30:54 · KC 1 · Score 13-14
   (:54) 18-P.Manning pass short middle to 85-V.Green for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 30:48 · KC 15 · Score 14-14
   8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
9. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q3 24:51 · DEN 17 · Score 14-17
   (9:51) 5-C.Santos 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
10. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q3 18:23 · KC 36 · Score 17-17
    (3:23) 8-B.McManus 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
11. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 2:32 · DEN 8 · Score 17-23
    (2:32) 34-K.Davis left end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 2:27 · DEN 15 · Score 17-24
    5-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt. PENALTY on DEN-30-D.Bruton, Leaping, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
13. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 0:40 · KC 19 · Score 23-24
    (:40) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 10-E.Sanders for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 0:36 · KC 15 · Score 24-24
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
15. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 0:35 · DEN 80 · Score 30-24
    (:35) (Shotgun) 25-J.Charles up the middle to KC 21 for 1 yard (54-B.Marshall). FUMBLES (54-B.Marshall), RECOVERED by DEN-29-B.Roby at KC 21. 29-B.Roby for 21 y
16. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 0:27 · KC 15 · Score 31-24
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.