BALTIMORE — While compiling their eight-game winning streak, the Kansas City Chiefs have made this abundantly clear: The opposition will pay for its mistakes.
That is precisely what happened Sunday, when the Chiefs capitalized on an abundance of miscues by the Baltimore Ravens in a 34-14 victory that earned Kansas City a place in the NFL record book.
Tyvon Branch returned a fumble 73 yards for a touchdown and Marcus Peters scored on a 90-yard interception return for the Chiefs, who also scored touchdowns after a drive-extending penalty by Baltimore and a failed fake punt.
Kansas City (9-5) became the first team in NFL history to follow a five-game losing streak with eight consecutive wins in the same season. Kansas City also kept itself in the thick of the AFC playoff picture.
The Chiefs picked off two passes and recovered a fumble, didn’t give the ball away and now own a plus-15 turnover differential. The Chiefs believe that if they win the turnover battle, they will win the game.
“I certainly do feel like that’s the mind-set, yeah,” quarterback Alex Smith said. “To have the three turnovers — and technically almost a fourth, when they went for the fake — to be able to capitalize on those, it changed that game.”
Smith was 21-of-25 passing for 171 yards and a TD. Charcandrick West rushed for 76 yards and a score.
Although the Chiefs let a 24-7 lead dwindle to 10 points by allowing a successful Hail Mary throw at the end of the first half, the outcome was never in doubt. Credit their opportunistic defense for that.
“They’ve kind of got that mojo,” Smith said. “The defense, you see them kind of salivate, so to speak.”
Baltimore (4-10) lost its third straight game and fell to 2-5 at home. It’s the first time in their 20-year history that the Ravens have lost five home games.
