Texas may yet still be waiting to play in the National championship game but they already won a game in Denver this week as Kansas City crushed the Broncos 44-24 thanks to former Longhorns Jamaal Charles 259 yards rushing on 25 carries and Derrick Johnson who had two interceptions returned for touchdowns in the second half. It was Kansas City’s first victory in Denver’s INVESCO field a stadium that opened up in 2001.The win also pushed the Chiefs down draft boards from potentially getting the number three pick to settling in at the number five slot.

No doubt this was a pride game as Kansas City had nothing more to play for than final standings and job security for next season but that did not stop them from taking it to the Broncos early and often. Matt Cassel delivered a 50 yard bomb to seldom used Terrance Copper on the Chiefs first offensive play of the game that play was followed by a 29 yard gain to Leonard Pope and a one yard touchdown run by fullback Mike Cox all in all the Chiefs went 86 yards on four plays in only 1:53. The offense did not stop there as two drives later Jamaal Charles busted up a seam for a 52 yard gain but in what was one of the strangest play calls of the season backup fullback Tim Castile was asked to throw a halfback pass from the Denver 31 the pass looked more like a punt and was intercepted nullifying any scoring opportunity.

Denver would pull even after a one yard Knowshon Moreno touchdown run less than a minute in to the second quarter. Denver and K.C. would trade field goals to close out the first half at ten a piece. The second half clearly belonged to the Chiefs and they made that known on their first possession as they drove down the field on the back of Jamaal Charles a drive that was finished up with a five yard Charles touchdown run putting the Chiefs back on top by a touchdown. Not to be out down Denver would answer right back on their next drive with another Knowshon Moreno touchdown run as Denver again pulled even. Then with the Broncos staring the playoffs in the face and down 20-17 they collapsed, Derrick Johnson collected his first of two interceptions of QB Kyle Orton and raced back 45 yards for the touchdown giving the Chiefs their first double digit lead of the game.

In true K.C. fashion they would give the turnover right back on their next drive as Matt Cassel was picked off by veteran Ty Law who made it all the way back to the three setting up a Kyle Orton to Brandon Stokley touchdown pass it would be the last points Denver scored on the evening. Ryan Succop would add another field goal to make the score 30-24 and then came the kill shot on Denver’s next possession Kyle Orton was again picked off by Derrick Johnson who this time took it back 60 yards to the house tying a league record with two interceptions returned for a touchdown in a game and put the game out of reach at 37-24.

Not to be outdone by his Texas counterpart Jamaal Charles took full advantage of his last drive of the season as he caped off the 2009-10 season with a 56 yard touchdown run to put the final nail in the coffin and put the game well out of reach at 44-24.… Charles would be pulled after that run as it set the single game rushing record at 259 yards. The Chiefs can be proud as they showed pride and finished their season strong and Denver will head in to the off season stretching their heads after a third straight season in which they should have made the playoffs but collapsed late.

Random questions heading in to the off season

1. Jamaal Charles proved he is a stud but with such a small frame should the Chiefs find a back who can take on about 25to 30% of his carries?

2. If the Chiefs are drafting fifth and a all world left tackle sitting there can’t the Chiefs draft him move Alberts to guard and Waters to center improving three positions with one pick?

3. We know there will be a offensive coordinator in the house next season but did Clancy Pendergast do enough to save his job as the D coordinator?

4. If Pendergast is gone how does Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel as the coordinators sound?

5. Even though Derrick Johnson spent all season in the dog house he always made plays when he had a opportunity and after today’s game can the Chiefs really afford not to resign him?