John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) throws a pass downfield after getting pressured by the Kansas City Chiefs defense during the first quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs tight end Demetrius Harris (84) catches a pass in front of Denver Broncos defensive back Will Parks (34) during the first quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) finds a hole in the Denver Broncos defense to score a touchdown during the first quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) slips past the tackle of Denver Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) to score a touchdown during the first quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) celebrates his touchdown with offensive tackle Jordan Devey (65) during the first quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos fan looks on during a cold game agains the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos free safety Darian Stewart (26) runs back and interception during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph screams as running backs coach Eric Studesville listens in during the first quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. Joseph was compiling about a penalty after an interception.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines (23) brings down Denver Broncos wide receiver Jordan Taylor (87) after a catch during the first quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (84) reaches out in front of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Keith Reaser (40) to get his hand on the pass during the first quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. The pass fell incomplete.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos defensive end Shelby Harris (96) celebrates his sack on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the first quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos medical staff checks on running back C.J. Anderson (22) during an injury timeout against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) escapes the grasp of Denver Broncos defensive back Will Parks (34) and makes a throw down field during the second quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) escapes the grasp of Denver Broncos defensive back Will Parks (34) and makes a throw down field during the second quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) tries to pick ups few more yards as he is brought down by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Eric Murray (21) and cornerback Terrance Mitchell (39) during the second quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) looks to make a throw during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos running back De'Angelo Henderson (33) slips past Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Eric Murray (21) and scampers to the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos running back De'Angelo Henderson (33) scampers to the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos running back De'Angelo Henderson (33) celebrates his touchdown with a a salute to the crowd during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs tight end Demetrius Harris (84) catches a pass in front of Denver Broncos cornerback Brendan Langley (27) during the third quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass down field as he get pressure from Denver Broncos nose tackle Kyle Peko (90) during the third quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) catches the game tying touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks to throw a pass down as Denver Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) puts the rush on during the third quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) picks up a few yards during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones (95) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) to force a fumble during the third quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. The Chiefs inside linebacker Ramik Wilson (53) pick up the loose ball to run it in for a touchdown.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones (95) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) to force a fumble during the third quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. The Chiefs inside linebacker Ramik Wilson (53) pick up the loose ball to run it in for a touchdown.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs linebacker Tanoh Kpassagnon (92) dives after a fumble by Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) during the third quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Ramik Wilson (53) scoops up a fumble by Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) to run it in for a score during the third quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Ramik Wilson (53) scoops up a fumble by Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) to run it in for a score during the third quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Ramik Wilson (53) celebrates his touchdown with cornerback Keith Reaser (40) after picking up a fumble by Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) to run it in for a score during the third quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs linebacker Ukeme Eligwe (45) chases Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) as he runs towards the sidelines during the third quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) gets sacked by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tanoh Kpassagnon (92) during the third quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) gets sacked by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tanoh Kpassagnon (92) during the third quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos fan had nothing to cheer about during their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman (42) mishandles a hanky off during the fourth quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. Denver Broncos inside linebacker Zaire Anderson (50) picked up the loose ball and ran in for a touchdown on the play.
John Leyba, The Denver Post,d50 picks up a loose ball as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Tyler Bray (9) can't recover it during the fourth quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. The ball was fumbled by fullback Anthony Sherman (42) on the play.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Walker (57) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) late in the fourth quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos 27-24.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (14) catches a pass in front of Denver Broncos cornerback Brendan Langley (27) during the fourth quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos fan can't bare to watch the end of the game during their loss 27-24 against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (7) kicks the game winning field goal with not time on the clock to beat the Denver Broncos 27-24 on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostKansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (7) kicks the game winning field goal with no time on the clock to beat the Denver Broncos 27-24 on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph looks for Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid at the end of the game after their loss 27-24 on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph walks off the field through the tunnel at the end of the game after their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
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Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) throws a pass downfield after getting pressured by the Kansas City Chiefs defense during the first quarter on Dec. 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
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By Dean Krakel | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
In a game that meant little for their record but everything for their future, the Broncos lost 27-24 against their playoff-bound AFC West rival. The defeat, which turned into a thriller in the final seconds, dropped the Broncos to 5-11 and capped the worst year in general manager 鈥檚 tenure as an executive.