Chiefs begin second half with momentum

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nobody in the Chiefs organization thought they’d reach halftime of the season with a 3-5 record.

But riding a two-game winning streak into Sunday’s game at Denver, they’re in the best possible frame of mind with a disappointing mark.

“They’ve worked hard, they’ve stayed focused,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “I think some of the young players have grown up a bit. And then some of the guys that were banged up a bit, either from last year or earlier in this season, have come back and look like they’re getting more into the swing of things.”

Add it up, and the Chiefs, who defeated the Steelers and Lions before entering the bye week, have played their consistently best football since starting with five losses in their first six games.

The momentum will be put to the test Sunday, when the Chiefs visit the division-leading Broncos.

The Chiefs’ season turned negative after the teams’ first meeting. Kansas City had swept its preseason games and won the regular-season opener at Houston when Denver arrived for a Thursday night encounter.

The Chiefs jumped to a 14-0 lead, and the game appeared headed for overtime when a Jamaal Charles’ fumble was returned for a touchdown with 27 seconds remaining.

The Broncos had defeated the Chiefs for the seventh straight time, and the outcome started a stretch of five straight Kansas City losses.

At the time, Reid didn’t think the decision affected his team.

“I said it then, I didn’t think there was (a hangover effect),” Reid said. “But there might have been. I thought we played some good teams along the way. And they got us. There was some good football in there, but not enough to win those games.

“They got us. They won the game. That’s all that counts. So you move on and get yourself ready for this game.”

The Broncos are coming off their first loss, 27-24 on Sunday at Indianapolis, and are dealing with some personnel issues. Linebacker Demarcus Ware, who leads the Broncos in sacks, could miss Sunday’s game after re-injuring his back against the Colts.

Cornerback Aqib Talib has been suspended by the NFL for poking Colts’ tight end Dwayne Allen in the eye in the closing minutes of the loss. Talib is appealing the suspension and hopes to play this weekend.

In Monday’s practice, the Chiefs were without offensive guard Ben Grubbs, who had a neck injury, but got defensive lineman Mike DeVito and linebacker Ramik Wilson back.

The Broncos maintain a comfortable lead in the AFC West — three games over the Raiders, 4-4, and four over the Chiefs. At this point, a playoff push would be considered in terms of a wild-card spot. Those spots are currently occupied by the Jets, 5-3, and the Steelers, 5-4.

A victory Sunday would begin to change the season’s narrative.

“I’ve said it before,” Reid said. “I like this football team. They’ve showed the last few weeks why.”

This story was originally published November 9, 2015 at 9:18 PM with the headline "Chiefs begin second half with momentum."