BESTS
Strong start for Young
Run: Rookie running back Selvin Young, who started in place of injured Travis Henry, had a 34-yard gain during the first quarter that set up Jason Elam’s 44-yard field goal and the Broncos’ 3-0 lead.
Deflections: Dré Bly and fellow Denver cornerback Karl Paymah made interceptions off deflected balls.
Special-teams moment: Kansas City’s Bernard Pollard blocked a Todd Sauerbrun punt out of the end zone during the second quarter, giving the Chiefs a 5-3 lead with a safety.
Cheer: Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle was greeted warmly when he replaced starter Damon Huard on the series after Nate Webster’s defensive TD.
WORSTS
Hold your horses, Elvis
Concentration: Denver defensive end Elvis Dumervil was called for being offside three times on the Chiefs’ final drive of the game.
Run: On third-and-2 from Denver’s 5-yard line, Chiefs running back Priest Holmes was pushed backward 13 yards. Kansas City settled for a field goal and an 8-6 lead.
Play: During the second quarter, Kansas City cornerback Benny Sapp jerked Brandon Marshall’s face mask, bringing the Broncos receiver down hard. Marshall, who gained 85 yards on six catches, had to leave the game for a few plays, and Sapp was penalized.
TURNING POINT
Dumervil’s sack produces points
The Broncos took a 20-8 lead in the third quarter Sunday when defensive end Elvis Dumervil sacked the Chiefs’ Damon Huard for an 8-yard loss. Huard fumbled and linebacker Nate Webster picked up the bouncing ball, returning the fumble 17 yards for a touchdown.
“It’s big plays like that that win games,” Broncos defensive back Domonique Foxworth said.
CRAZY PLAY OF THE GAME
Elam gets kick out of bounce
A field-goal attempt of 50 yards by Denver’s Jason Elam in the second quarter hit the goalpost and bounced through the uprights for three points. The ball curved after appearing to be short. Elam played with an injured right calf and favored that leg throughout the game.
“That was a nice bounce,” Elam said.
HIT OF THE GAME
Scheffler shaken by “a good pop”
In the first quarter, Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler was hammered by Chiefs safety Greg Wesley just as Scheffler was bringing in a pass from Jay Cutler inside the Chiefs’ 45. Scheffler couldn’t hold onto the ball as it flew into the air. He crumbled to the ground and left the game a play later because of a chest injury, but returned later.
“It was a good pop,” Scheffler said. “He hit me square in the chest with his helmet. What are you going to do?”
The Grades | By Bill Williamson
OFFENSE
B: This was an important day for Selvin Young. He started for the injured Travis Henry and might become the Broncos’ full-time tailback in two weeks if Henry is suspended by the NFL. Young had 109 yards on 20 carries. It was a confidence booster for him. Quarterback Jay Cutler managed the offense well against a pretty good Kansas City defense.
DEFENSE
B: Priest Holmes ran to daylight too much, but the Broncos’ defense had a solid game. It confused Kansas City and took the ball away four times. It was the first game of the season in which the Broncos did not allow a touchdown.
SPECIAL TEAMS
B: Having a punt blocked for a safety mars the overall effort, but this group has shown steady improvement. The coverage units are much better than they were in September, and kick returner Andre Hall is running with an edge. Kicker Jason Elam kicked field goals of 44 and 50 yards despite a bad calf.
COACHING
A: For all the heat he has received this season, Broncos defensive boss Jim Bates deserves credit for Sunday’s performance. The defensive unit showed immense improvement. Kudos also to coach Mike Shanahan for helping his team keep its eyes on the prize after a 37-point loss at Detroit last week.
OVERALL
A: It wasn’t pretty, but the Broncos had a remarkable day. To win at Kansas City for the first time in five years and the second time in nine years is a big deal. Even more remarkable, the Broncos are sitting pretty in the AFC West despite a 4-5 record.
