Jamaal Charles rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown against the Denver Broncos on Thursday night, but it was his fumble with 35 seconds to play that will be the focal point after the Kansas City Chiefs 31-24 loss.
After Peyton Manning drove the Broncos 80 yards for a tying touchdown, the Chiefs got the ball back with 35 seconds to play needing just one snap to run out the clock and head to overtime. That’s when it all went wrong for Charles and the Chiefs.
Charles had the ball knocked from his grasp while falling to the turf by Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall and the fumble was recovered by Bradley Roby and returned 21 yards for the game-winning score.
“I just don’t feel good right now,” Charles said, via the Kansas City Star. “It’s one of the hardest feelings right now that I’ve felt in a long time.”
“I think I was just trying to make a play,” Charles said. Got uncareful with the ball and one of the defenders punched it out. ...I caused the loss today. I tried to put the team on my back and I ended up losing the game. That was all on me tonight.”
Charles didn’t have to be in that position in the first place. The Chiefs could have just taken a knee to run out the remaining seconds and head into overtime. Instead, Andy Reid called for the run to Charles that resulted in disaster.
Charles may be taking blame for the loss, but he’s not the only one to blame. The Chiefs turned the ball over five times in the game and were outscored 31-10 after leading 14-0 with six minutes left in the first half.
