NFL: Tackle Dontari Poe punctuates Kansas City win over Denver with incredible jump pass touchdown
KANSAS City’s 346-pound defensive tackle Dontari Poe punctuated their win over Denver, lining up at quarterback and throwing a jump pass touchdown.
American Sports
Don't miss out on the headlines from American Sports. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE Kansas City Chiefs knew before kick-off against Denver that they were going to the playoffs.
They proceeded to play as if they have much bigger goals. Travis Kelce hauled in 11 catches for 160 yards and a touchdown, Tyreek Hill added a 70-yard TD run to his rookie highlight reel and the Chiefs routed the Broncos 33-10 to keep their AFC West title hopes alive on a soggy, sloppy Christmas night at Arrowhead Stadium.
“Unforgettable,” said 346-pound defensive tackle Dontari Poe, summing up not only the night for Kansas City but also the way he punctuated it in style, lining up at quarterback and throwing a jump pass to tight end Demetrius Harris for a touchdown late in the game.
WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE INCREDIBLE TOUCHDOWN IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
“I was in coach Reid’s ear, like a true offensive player would be,” Poe said.
“I was kind of egging coach Reid on to call it. The fans started cheering for me and he listened, so we got it done.”
“That was one for the ages,” Kelce told NBC’s Michelle Tafoya after the game.
“He might be the first 300-plus guy to throw a touchdown in the league. That was pretty fun.”
NFL PODCAST! The Hard Count team discuss the biggest talking points of Week 16 including a 346-pound playmaker, Derek Carr’s Super Bowl long-shot, crazy Christmas gifts in NFL locker rooms, and they also look ahead to the emerging playoffs picture.
You can also subscribe via iTunes or for Android users, listen on the iPP Podcast Player app.
The Chiefs (11-4) were already assured of a wildcard when Pittsburgh beat Baltimore earlier in the day. But a win next weekend in San Diego and an Oakland loss in Denver would give them the division title for the first time since 2010, not to mention a first-round bye and home playoff game.
“I give the guys a lot of credit for playing hard when they already clinched a playoff spot. That isn’t easy to do,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.
“They came out and I really thought played aggressive.”
17 FEARLESS PREDICTIONS FOR 2017
Meanwhile, the Broncos (8-7) trudged through another inept offensive performance, this one costing the reigning Super Bowl champions an opportunity to keep their own postseason hopes alive.
Trevor Siemian was 17 of 43 for 183 yards and a game-ending interception, and the only TD drive he led came after a pick gave him the ball at the Kansas City 6. Justin Forsett scored two plays later.
The lacklustre performance came one week after a dismal showing in a 16-3 loss to New England led to a locker room shouting match between the Denver offense and defence. The Broncos downplayed any kind of disharmony this week, but their performance Sunday night only seemed to underscore the rift.
“Next week is all geared toward next year and our football team moving forward,” Denver coach Gary Kubiak said. “We need to finish on a positive note, but we need to move on to the next year.” Kansas City controlled the prime-time matchup from the opening bell. Alex Smith capped a 77-yard touchdown march with a 10-yard keeper in the first quarter, and Hill outran the banged-up Broncos a few minutes later to give the Chiefs a 14-0 lead.
It was the fourth TD scored by Hill against the Broncos this season. Forsett’s touchdown gave the Broncos fleeting hope, but it was dashed moments later. Kelce took a screen pass and followed perfectly executed blocking for an 80-yard touchdown and a 21-7 lead.
“It felt good to see this offense come out, three possessions in a row and just move the ball,” Hill said. “We know what we can do. We still haven’t put it all together, but it’s coming.” The Chiefs’ defence took care of the rest, making it a festive night for their fans.
Originally published as NFL: Tackle Dontari Poe punctuates Kansas City win over Denver with incredible jump pass touchdown
Swift-Kelce photo could ‘break the internet’
A new photo of Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce is quickly going viral and for a very sweet reason.
‘Ted Lasso in reverse’: Anonymous Aussies pulling NFL strings
It’s the biggest show in world sport and Australians have been playing key on-field roles in the NFL for years. Yet as SHANNON GILL finds out, there’s a bunch of Aussies playing crucial roles off the field as well.