The Chiefs defense came into Sunday night’s game with an NFL leading 36 sacks. When they hopped on their flight and left Denver, they landed back in Kansas City with 36 sacks. The Broncos offensive line protected Peyton Manning and he picked apart the secondary for 323 yards and one score as the Chiefs suffered their first loss of the season, 27-17.

The only time Manning felt the brunt of a Chiefs’ defender was when he lowered his shoulder and knocked linebacker Derrick Johnson off balance after he scooped up a fumble by Wentzville, Mo. native Montee Ball. The Chiefs then turned the ball right back over when fullback Anthony Sherman got popped on a screen pass giving Denver the ball back at their own 16. That was the turning point in the game, even though it was only 3-0 midway through the first quarter.

Three plays later, Manning connected on a 70 yard pass, which later turned into his only TD pass of the night, a nine yard connection, which made the score 10-0.

Credit to the Chiefs defense, they tried to keep it close, but Manning eventually wore them down with drives of 79, 65 and 62 yards for their last three scores and a 27-10 lead.

The Chiefs offense continued to struggle, or at least prove they don’t have the ability to strike quickly. Alex Smith finished 21 of 45 for 230 yards and two touchdowns, including one to Dwayne Bowe who had four catches for 57 yards.

Jamaal Charles was held to 78 yards on 16 carries.