Chiefs do enough to hold off Broncos
Patrick Mahomes threw for 306 yards and a touchdown, Harrison Butker kicked four field goals and the Chiefs held off the Broncos 19-8 on Thursday night in Kansas City, Missouri, for their 16th consecutive victory over their longtime AFC West rivals.
Travis Kelce had nine catches for 124 yards for the Chiefs with Taylor Swift again cheering him on from an Arrowhead Stadium suite. But the Chiefs (5-1) leaned more heavily on their defense to shut down erratic Russell Wilson and the Broncos (1-5).
Wilson was held to 95 yards passing with a touchdown and a pair of interceptions, and the woebegone Broncos finished with just 197 yards of total offense. Still, the Chiefs’ inability to turn red-zone trips into touchdowns nearly cost them.
Butker’s first three field goals helped them to a 16-0 lead, but Wilson’s touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton — ruled incomplete but overturned upon review — with about six minutes remaining kept the Broncos alive. And when Javonte Williams bulled into the end zone for the two-point conversion, what had been a one-sided shutout was a one-possession game.
The Broncos’ league-worst defense couldn’t make a stop, though. Mahomes converted third-and-two with a 28-yard pass to Rashee Rice, and that put Butker in position for a 52-yard field goal with 1:55 left that put the game away.
QB Walker might start for Browns
Deshaun Watson isn’t practicing, and it’s looking more likely that he won’t play this week against the 49ers. The Browns’ starting quarterback missed his third consecutive practice as he continues to rehab a bruised rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
While Watson stayed inside, Bears castoff P.J. Walker again worked with the starting offense. If Watson can’t play, Walker will make his debut for the Browns (2-2). He was in training camp with the Bears as a potential backup for Justin Fields but was cut near the end of the preseason.
Herbert will play with broken finger
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert doesn’t think the broken middle finger on his left, non-throwing hand will affect him when he faces the Cowboys on Monday night. Nonetheless, he’s being cautious.
Herbert wore a glove on the hand during practice. He said he assumes he’ll wear it during the game. When asked if the glove would protect the finger or help him grip the ball, Herbert said it was “probably a little bit of both.”
Giants’ Jones misses second practice
The Giants might be without quarterback Daniel Jones on Sunday night against the Bills. Jones missed his second consecutive practice with a neck injury, and his chances of playing seemed less likely. Coach Brian Daboll did not say much about the injury before practice, adding Jones’ status would be determined over the next few days. Tyrod Taylor would start.
Kittle expects to be fined for shirt
George Kittle is expecting a fine for wearing a profane T-shirt about the Cowboys but said the penalty will be more than worth it. Kittle wore a shirt under his uniform last Sunday night that said “F Dallas,” with the rest of the first word hidden by white tape. He exposed it to the national audience after a TD run by Jordan Mason.