Chiefs lose AFC West lead after penalty kills game-winning drive

The Kansas City Chiefs lost control of the AFC West on Sunday after a false start penalty with four seconds remaining nullified a game-winning touchdown pass.

The play, which would have put Kansas City ahead in the division race, was whistled dead after right tackle Jaylon Moore was called for moving early. The Chiefs trailed 28-24 at the time. The penalty moved the ball back to the five-yard line, leaving the offense with fourth-and-goal from the six-yard line.

Head coach Andy Reid disputed the call, stating he saw Moore move his head but did not see a false start. Replays showed Moore flinch with his right leg and rock back slightly before turning his head left. The call stood, and the Chiefs failed to score on the final drive.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw the intended touchdown pass to Rashee Rice, who had returned to the lineup after a month-long absence due to a hamstring injury. Rice caught the ball in the front of the end zone, but the play was voided by the penalty. It was Mahomes' first touchdown pass in nearly a month, ending a drought that spanned more than nine quarters of game time.

The Chiefs finished with 11 penalties for 105 yards, the worst total in both categories this season. The previous team record was 13 penalties for 109 yards in a loss to Jacksonville last season. Kansas City was penalized eight times for 75 yards in the first half and three times for 30 yards in the second half.

The penalties aided Denver in several ways, including an 18-yard pass interference call on Kristian Fulton and a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on Jack Cochrane during the Broncos' first drive. These penalties helped set up a 39-yard field goal by Will Lutz. Denver also benefited from a 15-yard facemask penalty on Drue Tranquill and a pass interference call on safety Alohi Gilman during its only first-half touchdown drive.

Running back Emmett Johnson had the Chiefs' best offensive moment, catching a 73-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes in the first half. The score was the longest offensive touchdown for Kansas City since a 75-yard pass to Tyreek Hill in 2021. Johnson finished the game with five catches for 128 yards, including 119 yards in the first half.

The Broncos' offense also struggled with penalties, including two procedural calls on 5-yard penalties that shortened their first two drives of the second half. Denver quarterback Bo Nix completed 20 of 32 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns. He threw three consecutive incompletions on the third drive of the second half before a punt.

The game ended with a Denver touchdown drive that included a 51-yard pass to rookie Jonah Coleman and a 5-yard touchdown run by Coleman. The score gave Denver its first lead since dropping to 3-0 and secured the division lead for the Broncos.

Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker missed a 54-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, pushing the kick well to the right. He is now 2 of 7 on attempts from 50 yards or longer. Mahomes took responsibility for a sack on the previous play, which cost Butker six yards and moved the kick into a longer range.