Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos: 2009 Week 17 Recap

Game story

In Week 17 of the 2009 NFL season on 2010-01-03, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Denver Broncos, pulling away with a 44–24 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 31 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Orton (Denver Broncos) paced the passing game, with -5.29 total EPA, and -4.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Charles (Kansas City Chiefs) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +18.80 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-23.2% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (5:31) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton pass deep right intended for 84-B.Lloyd INTERCEPTED by 56-D.Johnson at DEN 45. 56-D.Johnson for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 J. Charles · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +18.80 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Gaffney · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +7.93 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Copper · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +3.97 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.98 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Chambers · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +3.45 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
5. 5 Q. Lawrence · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +2.70 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.70 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Stokley · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.48 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
7. 7 L. Pope · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +0.86 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Cox · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +0.84 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.84 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 — M. Cox (Q1 56:22)
• Denver Broncos — K. Moreno (Q2 44:10)
• Kansas City Chiefs — J. Charles (Q3 25:40)
• Denver Broncos — K. Moreno (Q3 23:31)
• Kansas City Chiefs — D. Johnson (Q3 20:31)
• Denver Broncos — B. Stokley (K. Orton pass) (Q3 15:17)
• Kansas City Chiefs — D. Johnson (Q4 10:05)
• Kansas City Chiefs — J. Charles (Q4 6:36)

Field goals

• Kansas City Chiefs — R. Succop (Q2 35:07)
• Denver Broncos — M. Prater (Q2 30:31)
• Kansas City Chiefs — R. Succop (Q3 20:44)
• Kansas City Chiefs — R. Succop (Q4 13:02)

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 1 (Q1 56:22) — (11:22) 42-M.Cox left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q1 56:17) — 6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–3. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 1 (Q2 44:10) — (14:10) 27-K.Moreno right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q2 44:07) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-17-M.Berger.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the DEN 2 (Q2 35:07) — (5:07) 6-R.Succop 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the KC 7 (Q2 30:31) — (:31) 5-M.Prater 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-17-M.Berger..

The third quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 17–14. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the DEN 5 (Q3 25:40) — (10:40) 25-J.Charles left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 25:35) — 6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 1 (Q3 23:31) — (8:31) 27-K.Moreno right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q3 23:25) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-17-M.Berger.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the DEN 18 (Q3 20:44) — (5:44) 6-R.Succop 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the KC 76 (Q3 20:31); Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 20:16) — 6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 3 (Q3 15:17) — (:17) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton pass short right to 14-B.Stokley for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q3 15:12) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-17-M.Berger..

The fourth quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 17–0. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the DEN 29 (Q4 13:02) — (13:02) 6-R.Succop 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the KC 40 (Q4 10:05); Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 9:52) — 6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the DEN 56 (Q4 6:36) — (6:36) 25-J.Charles up the middle for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 6:25) — 6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

Turning points

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

• Denver Broncos (Q3 20:31) — (5:31) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton pass deep right intended for 84-B.Lloyd INTERCEPTED by 56-D.Johnson at DEN 45. 56-D.Johnson for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -23.2% · EPA -7.99]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 10:05) — (10:05) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton pass short right intended for 89-D.Graham INTERCEPTED by 56-D.Johnson at KC 40. 56-D.Johnson for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -19.7% · EPA -9.46]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 16:15) — (1:15) (Shotgun) 7-M.Cassel pass short right intended for 80-B.Wade INTERCEPTED by 26-T.Law at KC 40. 26-T.Law to KC 3 for 37 yards (46-T.Castille). [WPA -18.7% · EPA -5.66]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 38:57) — (8:57) 25-J.Charles left tackle to DEN 38 for 33 yards (20-B.Dawkins). PENALTY on DEN-23-R.Hill, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at DEN 38. [WPA +15.0% · EPA +3.58]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 58:10) — (13:10) 7-M.Cassel pass deep right to 10-T.Copper to DEN 36 for 50 yards (24-C.Bailey). [WPA +11.8% · EPA +3.64]

Impact plays

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

• Denver Broncos (Q4 10:05) — (10:05) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton pass short right intended for 89-D.Graham INTERCEPTED by 56-D.Johnson at KC 40. 56-D.Johnson for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -19.7% · EPA -9.46]
• Denver Broncos (Q3 20:31) — (5:31) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton pass deep right intended for 84-B.Lloyd INTERCEPTED by 56-D.Johnson at DEN 45. 56-D.Johnson for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -23.2% · EPA -7.99]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 16:15) — (1:15) (Shotgun) 7-M.Cassel pass short right intended for 80-B.Wade INTERCEPTED by 26-T.Law at KC 40. 26-T.Law to KC 3 for 37 yards (46-T.Castille). [WPA -18.7% · EPA -5.66]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 6:36) — (6:36) 25-J.Charles up the middle for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +1.5% · EPA +5.26]

Quarterback report card

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

• K.Orton (Denver Broncos) · 62 dropbacks · 51.6% completion · -4.6% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -5.29 total EPA
• M.Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs) · 27 dropbacks · 48.1% completion · -4.4% CPOE · +0.03 EPA/play · +0.75 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Kansas City Chiefs generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.27 vs -0.05), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Denver Broncos: 14 drives, -5.22 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Kansas City Chiefs: 14 drives, +21.32 total EPA, 6 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.
• J. Charles (Kansas City Chiefs) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Orton (DEN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• M. Cassel (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) — Q1 56:22 · DEN 1 · Score 6-0
   (11:22) 42-M.Cox left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q1 56:17 · DEN 2 · Score 7-0
   6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
3. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 44:10 · KC 1 · Score 7-6
   (14:10) 27-K.Moreno right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 44:07 · KC 2 · Score 7-7
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-17-M.Berger.
5. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 35:07 · DEN 2 · Score 10-7
   (5:07) 6-R.Succop 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
6. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 30:31 · KC 7 · Score 10-10
   (:31) 5-M.Prater 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-17-M.Berger.
7. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 25:40 · DEN 5 · Score 16-10
   (10:40) 25-J.Charles left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 25:35 · DEN 2 · Score 17-10
   6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
9. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 23:31 · KC 1 · Score 17-16
   (8:31) 27-K.Moreno right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 23:25 · KC 2 · Score 17-17
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-17-M.Berger.
11. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q3 20:44 · DEN 18 · Score 20-17
    (5:44) 6-R.Succop 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
12. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 20:31 · KC 76 · Score 26-17
    (5:31) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton pass deep right intended for 84-B.Lloyd INTERCEPTED by 56-D.Johnson at DEN 45. 56-D.Johnson for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 20:16 · DEN 2 · Score 27-17
    6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
14. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 15:17 · KC 3 · Score 27-23
    (:17) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton pass short right to 14-B.Stokley for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 15:12 · KC 2 · Score 27-24
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-17-M.Berger.
16. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q4 13:02 · DEN 29 · Score 30-24
    (13:02) 6-R.Succop 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
17. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 10:05 · KC 40 · Score 36-24
    (10:05) (Shotgun) 8-K.Orton pass short right intended for 89-D.Graham INTERCEPTED by 56-D.Johnson at KC 40. 56-D.Johnson for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 9:52 · DEN 2 · Score 37-24
    6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
19. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 6:36 · DEN 56 · Score 43-24
    (6:36) 25-J.Charles up the middle for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 6:25 · DEN 2 · Score 44-24
    6-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.