Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos: 2022 Week 14 Recap

Game story

In Week 14 of the 2022 NFL season on 2022-12-11, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Denver Broncos, pulling away with a 34–28 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 41 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Wilson (Denver Broncos) paced the passing game, with +0.38 total EPA, and -6.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. McKinnon (Kansas City Chiefs) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.84 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-15.3% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (6:00) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle intended for 9-J.Smith-Schuster INTERCEPTED by 47-J.Jewell at DEN 25. 47-J.Jewell to DEN 46 for 21 yards (65-T.Smith).

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. McKinnon · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +10.84 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.20 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Jeudy · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +10.05 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
3. 3 P. Mahomes · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +5.77 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Mack · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.92 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.31 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Hinton · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.85 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
6. 6 N. Gray · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +2.94 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
7. 7 I. Pacheco · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +2.32 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Boone · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.33 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.66 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. McKinnon (P. Mahomes pass) (Q2 44:28)
• Kansas City Chiefs — J. McKinnon (P. Mahomes pass) (Q2 37:23)
• Kansas City Chiefs — W. Gay (Q2 34:43)
• Denver Broncos — J. Jeudy (R. Wilson pass) (Q2 31:38)
• Denver Broncos — J. Jeudy (R. Wilson pass) (Q2 30:14)
• Denver Broncos — M. Mack (R. Wilson pass) (Q3 28:16)
• Kansas City Chiefs — J. Smith-Schuster (P. Mahomes pass) (Q3 15:45)
• Denver Broncos — J. Jeudy (B. Rypien pass) (Q4 10:54)

Field goals

• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q1 56:00)
• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q1 47:57)

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 17 (Q1 56:00) — (11:00) 7-H.Butker 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the DEN 27 (Q1 47:57) — (2:57) 7-H.Butker 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..

The second quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 21–20. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the DEN 56 (Q2 44:28) — (14:28) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 1-J.McKinnon for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q2 44:16) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the DEN 10 (Q2 37:23) — (7:23) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 1-J.McKinnon for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q2 37:16) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the KC 45 (Q2 34:43); Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q2 34:32) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 18 (Q2 31:38) — (1:38) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep left to 10-J.Jeudy for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q2 31:35) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 5 (Q2 30:14) — (:14) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right to 10-J.Jeudy for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 15 (Q2 30:09) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 66 (Q3 28:16) — (13:16) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right to 37-M.Mack for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q3 28:03) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the DEN 4 (Q3 15:45) — (:45) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 9-J.Smith-Schuster for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN [56-B.Browning].; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q3 15:38) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 7 (Q4 10:54) — (10:54) (Shotgun) 4-B.Rypien pass short middle to 10-J.Jeudy for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q4 10:49) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman..

Turning points

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

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 6:00) — (6:00) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle intended for 9-J.Smith-Schuster INTERCEPTED by 47-J.Jewell at DEN 25. 47-J.Jewell to DEN 46 for 21 yards (65-T.Smith). [WPA -15.3% · EPA -4.95]
• Denver Broncos (Q3 28:16) — (13:16) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right to 37-M.Mack for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.3% · EPA +5.79]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 4:34) — (4:34) (Shotgun) 4-B.Rypien pass deep right intended for 10-J.Jeudy INTERCEPTED by 38-L.Sneed (95-C.Jones) [95-C.Jones] at KC 24. 38-L.Sneed to KC 30 for 6 yards (76-C.Anderson). PENALTY on KC-55-F.Cl [WPA -10.8% · EPA -2.16]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 44:28) — (14:28) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 1-J.McKinnon for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.6% · EPA +5.60]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 10:54) — (10:54) (Shotgun) 4-B.Rypien pass short middle to 10-J.Jeudy for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.0% · EPA +4.12]

Impact plays

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

• Denver Broncos (Q2 34:43) — (4:43) 3-R.Wilson pass short middle intended for 89-B.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 50-W.Gay at DEN 47. 50-W.Gay for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DEN-89-B.Johnson was injured during the play. [WPA -7.3% · EPA -7.89]
• Denver Broncos (Q3 28:16) — (13:16) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right to 37-M.Mack for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.3% · EPA +5.79]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 44:28) — (14:28) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 1-J.McKinnon for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.6% · EPA +5.60]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 14:19) — (14:19) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass incomplete deep left to 10-J.Jeudy. PENALTY on KC-21-T.McDuffie, Defensive Pass Interference, 40 yards, enforced at DEN 45 - No Play. [WPA +8.9% · EPA +5.23]

Quarterback report card

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

• R.Wilson (Denver Broncos) · 48 dropbacks · 47.9% completion · -6.6% CPOE · +0.01 EPA/play · +0.38 total EPA
• P.Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) · 44 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · -1.5% CPOE · +0.13 EPA/play · +5.77 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 (+0.08 vs -0.05), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Denver Broncos: 13 drives, -4.40 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Kansas City Chiefs: 14 drives, +7.10 total EPA, 5 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.
• J. McKinnon (Kansas City Chiefs) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• R. Wilson (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 FG (+3) — Q1 56:00 · DEN 17 · Score 3-0
   (11:00) 7-H.Butker 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
2. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q1 47:57 · DEN 27 · Score 6-0
   (2:57) 7-H.Butker 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
3. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 44:28 · DEN 56 · Score 12-0
   (14:28) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 1-J.McKinnon for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 44:16 · DEN 15 · Score 13-0
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
5. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 37:23 · DEN 10 · Score 19-0
   (7:23) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 1-J.McKinnon for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 37:16 · DEN 15 · Score 20-0
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
7. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 34:43 · KC 45 · Score 26-0
   (4:43) 3-R.Wilson pass short middle intended for 89-B.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 50-W.Gay at DEN 47. 50-W.Gay for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DEN-89-B.Johnson was injured
8. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 34:32 · DEN 15 · Score 27-0
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
9. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 31:38 · KC 18 · Score 27-6
   (1:38) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep left to 10-J.Jeudy for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 31:35 · KC 15 · Score 27-7
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman.
11. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 30:14 · KC 5 · Score 27-13
    (:14) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right to 10-J.Jeudy for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Denver Broncos TD (+7) — Q2 30:09 · KC 15 · Score 27-14
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman.
13. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 28:16 · KC 66 · Score 27-20
    (13:16) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right to 37-M.Mack for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 28:03 · KC 15 · Score 27-21
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman.
15. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 15:45 · DEN 4 · Score 33-21
    (:45) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 9-J.Smith-Schuster for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN [56-B.Browning].
16. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 15:38 · DEN 15 · Score 34-21
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
17. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 10:54 · KC 7 · Score 34-27
    (10:54) (Shotgun) 4-B.Rypien pass short middle to 10-J.Jeudy for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 10:49 · KC 15 · Score 34-28
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman.