The Kansas City Chiefs suffered a heartbreaking 28-24 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, marking their second consecutive defeat and raising questions about kicker Harrison Butker’s performance and team discipline.
In the final moments of the game, Patrick Mahomes appeared to lead the Chiefs to a go-ahead touchdown, but a false start penalty on offensive tackle Jaylon Moore negated the score. On the subsequent play, Mahomes was sacked by Malcolm Roach, sealing Denver’s win and dropping Kansas City to 5-3 on the season.
The game was one of 71 NFL contests decided by one score or less through Week 8, tying the record for the most such games since the 1970 merger. Denver’s victory also marked their sixth win of the season, while Kansas City fell to a three-game losing streak in their last four meetings against the Broncos.
Team Discipline and Penalties
The Chiefs committed three penalties in the final drive, including Moore’s false start and an ineligible man downfield call against left tackle Kahlil Benson. Tight end Travis Kelce acknowledged the team’s mistakes, stating, "Reality of things is we’ve got to fix a lot — the little things, mistakes — and it starts with the person you’re looking in the mirror at."
Kelce, who was flagged for a false start in the first quarter, emphasized the need for accountability, saying, "Everybody’s just got to up the ante from that."
Kicker Struggles Continue for Butker
Harrison Butker, who signed a four-year contract worth over $25 million in 2024, has faced mounting criticism after missing six field goals this season. His accuracy has dropped to 68.8% through six games, the worst mark of his 10-year career. On Sunday, Butker missed a 54-yard field goal attempt with 2:36 remaining, giving Denver the opportunity to take the lead.
The Chiefs had signed veteran kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad the previous week, a move widely interpreted as competition for Butker’s starting role. Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub reiterated the team’s confidence in Butker, stating, "Butker is our kicker. We’re trying to improve, we’re trying to get Butker right."
Butker acknowledged a poor week of practice leading up to the game but noted he had performed well in Wednesday’s session, making all 10 attempts despite wind gusts up to 28 mph.
Coaching and Strategic Decisions
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed confusion over the false start call, saying, "I didn’t see it. I saw him move his head, but I didn’t see" a penalty. The loss extended Kansas City’s struggles in close games, with Reid’s team now 1-3 in one-score contests this season.
The defeat also marked the 71st NFL game decided by one score or less through Week 8, tying the record set in 2021. Denver’s win was their sixth in seven games, while Kansas City fell to 5-3, dropping them behind the Broncos in the AFC West standings.
Statistical Context
The Chiefs’ loss continued a trend of narrow defeats, with three of their five losses coming by a combined 13 points. Butker’s struggles have been particularly pronounced on long-range attempts, where he is 2-for-6 on kicks of 50-plus yards this season. His overall field goal percentage has declined from 89.1% in his first three seasons to 82% in the past three years.
The Broncos’ defense, which had allowed the fewest points in the league entering the game, held firm in the final minutes, including a stop on fourth down to preserve the win. Denver’s offense, led by quarterback Bo Nix, capitalized on Kansas City’s miscues to secure the victory.