Todd Haley and Josh McDaniels gave each other an awkward man hug this time. If anything, Haley should have bowed to McDaniels for helping to hand the Chiefs a 10-6 victory Sunday.
Kansas City outlasted the Broncos despite a game effort by Denver’s defense. The Chiefs got the ball seven times in the second half, but didn’t score once. It didn’t matter because the Chiefs’ young secondary and pass rush shut down Kyle Orton.
Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno ran for a career high 161 yards, but McDaniels stubbornly threw the ball down the stretch. Orton finished 9-for-28 and 117 yards. Chiefs defensive end Tamba Hali had two sacks, including a decisive strip sack of Orton in the fourth quarter.
McDaniels was aggressive throwing the ball, but had a curiously timid decision to punt on fourth and four with under three minutes to go. The Broncos wound up only getting one more offensive play.
While Broncos just can’t seem to put together a complete team effort, the Chiefs have won a variety of different ways at home. They are 6-0 at the New Arrowhead Stadium on the season and will head to San Diego next season in first place in the AFC West.