Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High.
Live updates
FINAL | Broncos 22, Chiefs 19
Another game, another fourth-quarter comeback win for the Broncos.
Wil Lutz nailed his fifth field goal of the day, a 35-yarder with time running out to give Denver a 22-19 win over the Chiefs on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.
Bo Nix completed 24 of 37 passes for 295 yards, including 84 to Troy Franklin and 82 to Pat Bryant.
The win gives Denver a 9-2 record entering its bye week. Kansas City falls to 5-5 on the year.
More Broncos coverage
- Broncos analysis: After chasing Patrick Mahomes for 7 years, Denver finally caught him in division-tilting win.
- Renck: The question after Sean Payton’s biggest win in Denver, who’s beating these Broncos in AFC?
- Keeler: Broncos WR Troy Franklin no-call has Chiefs fans feeling robbed by refs? Talk about pot calling kettle black.
- How DzԳDz’ Ja’Quan McMillian became the hero against Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs.
- Broncos-Chiefs report card: Vance Joseph’s defense shines; Bo Nix comes up clutch again.
- DzԳDz’ Riley Moss promises to ‘put the boxing gloves on’ in practice to correct defensive penalties.
- Broncos four downs: Sean Payton, Ja’Quan McMillian might’ve finally ended Chiefs’ AFC West dynasty.
Fourth-quarter updates
Game (5:38 p.m.): The Broncos bury the Chiefs.
They're clear atop the AFC West by two games -- 4 1/2 above KC.
Perhaps the biggest win of the season, with Bo Nix outdueling Patrick Mahomes.
Now, it's time to get the No. 1 seed.
A tip of the cap to Frank Crum ... whose blocked extra point loomed large. — Schubert
Big gain (5:35 p.m.): The play we all saw coming: Bo Nix to Troy Franklin deep. AND IT WORKS!!!!
First down at the KC 15. — Schubert
Troy Franklin just grew up before our eyes with that route. Drifted. And pushed off late for 32 yards. He is now a veteran. -- Renck
First down (5:33 p.m.): Third-and-5 at the Denver 46 ... and Nix find Sutton for ... a virtual measurement.
FIRST DOWN!!!! BY A CENTIMETER!!! Now Kansas City will have to start burning timeouts.
If you're Nathaniel Hackett ... the Broncos are in field goal range. — Schubert
That's why we have the metric system. Terrible spot but Sutton given first down by a millimeter on virtual measurement. -- Renck
Huge play (5:27 p.m.): Bo Nix finds, who else, but Courtland Sutton on third-and-15 to continue the drive. — Nguyen
ANOTHER deep pass to Troy Franklin goes wanting. Third-and-15.
And Bo Nix delivers a dime to Courtland Sutton on the run. 20-yard gain, and it'll be first-and-10 at the Broncos 41 coming out of the two-minute warning.
BUCKLE UP!!! — Schubert
Three-and-out (5:23 p.m.): Ja'Quan McMillian with the sack of Patrick Mahomes. Denver's getting another shot to win it. — Nguyen
Vance Joseph is absolutely cooking. — Gabriel
If you don't understand Vance Joseph's value, I can't help you. I was telling Parker that at some point they had to blitz JMac or Strand. And the CB blitz worked on cue. -- Renck
Field goal, Broncos (5:19 p.m.): Wil Lutz drills a 54-yarder and we're tied up again. 19-all with 4:10 to go. -- Schubert
Lutz boots 54-yard FG to tie score at 19 with 4:10 remaining. -- Renck
No dice (5:18 p.m.): Bo Nix takes a shot at Troy Franklin deep, and ... incomplete.
Potential missed PI on that play. -- Schubert
Driving (5:16 p.m.): Broncos are at the Chiefs' 40 after two plays and a first down. Just under 5:30 left in this game. -- Schubert
Nice return (5:13 p.m.): Marvin Mims Jr. has a 24-yard punt return to give the Denver offense a start at its own 45. — Nguyen
Broncos trail 19-16 with 6:30 left. TD could win it. But if get a field goal need to soak some time off the clock or will be in danger of getting walked off. -- Renck
Three-and-out (5:11 p.m.): Three-and-out for the Broncos defense. Massive stop. — Schubert
Big punt (5:09 p.m.): Jeremy Crawshaw, by some miracle, gets off a boomer of a punt under pressure. KC will have the ball at its 12-yard line with 8:11 left. -- Schubert
Penalty (5:06 p.m.): Dump off pass to Prentice makes it fourth-and-3. And then the Broncos line up to go for it and ... are SAVED by a false start. -- Schubert
Intentional grounding (5:04 p.m.): Intentional grounding on Bo Nix on second down puts the Broncos at third-and-17. — Schubert
Blocked PAT (5:04 p.m.): Talked to Frank Crum about playing on the FG block unit recently said he did it a little bit last year but is still new to it.
Talked to Frank Crum about playing FG block recently. Said he was on the unit two games he was active last year but is still new to it.
"I did it once in college – the last game I ever played," he said. "(Wyoming coach Craig) Bohl, it was kind of just a fun thing. Letap see if I can go get one."
Does he like doing it? "Shoot, I like getting out on the field. Whatever they’re asking me to do."
Bet he likes it now! — Gabriel
Touchdown, Chiefs (4:58 p.m.): Patrick Mahomes connects with Travis Kelce on the 21-yard catch-and-run score. The extra point was blocked. Six plays for 73 yards on the drive. Chiefs 19, Broncos 16 with 9:57 to go in the fourth. — Nguyen
The Ghost of Travis Kelce ... returns.
Talanoa Hufanga goes high trying to tackle Kelce short on third-and-6, Kelce shakes him off and scores from 21 yards out. But ... Frank Crum blocks the ensuing extra point. KC 19-16 with 9:57 to go. -- Schubert
Frank Crum blocks PAT. Mims with huge punt return. Where would this team be without Darren Rizzi? I kid because I care. -- Renck
Penalty (4:56 p.m.): And ... Riley Moss gets flagged for PI on a deep ball. No protest. That was legit. — Schubert
Just absolute killer. Third-and-19, and Broncos Riley Moss called for PI. Turned head late, and you can't grab jersey. Moss has to know better in that situation. -- Renck
Penalties (4:55 p.m.): Sean Payton declines a holding call that would've moved the Chiefs back to second-and-19. Then the Broncos draw ANOTHER flag. It's third-and-19 for the Chiefs and Mahomes. — Schubert
Field goal, Broncos (4:48 p.m.): The drive?
- First down: Misdirection pitch for a loss.
- Second down: Screen pass to Tyler Badie goes nowhere.
- Third down: Incomplete fade to Courtland Sutton on the sideline.
Broncos settle for a field goal. It's 16-13 Denver with 12:50 left in the fourth quarter. — Schubert
Big first down (4:46 p.m.): Massive first-down gain from RJ Harvey on third-and-1. It's Broncos ball at the KC 19. A chance to take control of the fourth quarter here. -- Schubert
Third-quarter thoughts — Broncos 13, Chiefs 13
Parker Gabriel, beat reporter: A vice grip on the AFC West is right there for the Broncos to reach out and grab. All that's standing in their way: The nine-time defending champs.
Luca Evans, beat reporter: Broncos are pushing deep into Chiefs territory after that Bo Nix connection with Pat Bryant, and Sean Payton's straightened out the offensive operation. Really good sign for Denver both today and in future weeks. A touchdown here would put the Broncos in pole position to take this game -- and the AFC West.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Third quarter takeaway: They'll write a book about the first seven minutes of that third quarter. And it will be banned in 16 countries. The Broncos have 15 minutes to end, if not seriously wound, a freakin' dynasty. Right here. Right now.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Why can Broncos pull off upset? Defense is legit. And Bo Nix was 7-for-8 for 131 yards in the third quarter. The disconnect between he and Sean Payton is no longer o a dial-up connection it appears.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: This is what we've wanted for years. A real game. With real stakes. And now both teams are making plays. For the Broncos, this is 15 minutes to put the Chiefs' season on ice. For the Chiefs, it's 15 minutes to put themselves right back in the Super Bowl conversation.
Big gain (4:39 p.m.): Bo Nix finds Pat Bryant for a 48-yard catch-and run. He's on the ground after the tackle. — Nguyen
Bo Nix fires another dime on a deep 48-yard pass to Pat Bryant. He stayed down for a while, but then walked off on his own. It does look like his helmet was taken by a trainer, though. -- Schubert
Touchdown, Chiefs (4:33 p.m.): And then Kareem Hunt powers it in from 2 yards out. We got a tie game, folks. — Schubert
I mean, did we really think The Dynasty was going to die quietly? Did we? -- Keeler
I know it's going to be a nerve-tester for Broncos fans in the fourth quarter, but man, this is fun. — Gabriel
Huge stop (4:32 p.m.): Talanoa Hufanga just made a massive stop to force third-and-short. -- Schubert
Huge gain (4:31 p.m.): Just when it looked like the Broncos had the Chiefs' season in a stranglehold ... Patrick Mahomes says hello. — Schubert
Can't complete a much better pass than Mahomes just did to Thornton with pressure in his face. -- Renck
Touchdown, Broncos (4:24 p.m.): Jaleel McLaughlin gets pushed into the end zone on that 4-yard run. Eleven plays for 89 yards on the drive. Broncos 13, Chiefs 6 with 4:03 to go in the third quarter. — Nguyen
Jaleel McLaughlin: 187 pounds of pure short-yardage Hell. -- Keeler
First-and-goal to the 9.
First down: Jaleel McLaughlin off right tackle 5 yards to the 4.
Second down: McLaughlin up the middle with a convoy into the end zone.
Score: Broncos 13, Chiefs 6 with 4:03 left in the third quarter.
What a swing from the Broncos. It starts with the Ja'Quan McMillian pick (and Sean Payton getting laid out). It ends with "short yardage back" Jaleel McLaughlin powering one in from 4 yards out.
Oh, yeah, and a completed long pass from Bo Nix to Troy Franklin in between. — Schubert
Jaleel McLaughlin, off the game day inactive list and into the end zone in the Broncos' biggest home game in a decade.— Gabriel
AFC West hanging in the balance and you have a backfield of Adam Prentice and Jaleel McLaughlin and Adam Trautman as the lead blocker. Hell it worked. Broncos lead 13-6. Cap tip to McLaughlin for being ready after inactive in nine of first 10 games. -- Renck
Red zone (4:22 p.m.): And Now the Broncos have third-and-2 at the KC 19. So, a third incursion into the Chiefs red zone. — Schubert
Another first down (4:21 p.m.): A 13-yard reception by Courtland Sutton gets Denver another first down. — Nguyen
It happened! (4:20 p.m.): Bo Nix finds Troy Franklin in stride for a huge 35-yard gain. — Nguyen
The Haley's Comet of Broncos pass plays: A successful Bo Nix to Troy Franklin bomb. — Schubert
First down (4:18 p.m.): Denver has a long ways to go. Good start on the drive. First down after a catch by Troy Franklin and a short run by RJ Harvey. — Nguyen
Laid out (4:17 p.m.): Sean Payton just got laid out on the sideline. — Schubert
Interception (4:13 p.m.): Ja'Quan McMillian with a huge interception for the Broncos. Denver picked off Patrick Mahomes twice on that drive but only this one counts. — Nguyen
Weird. JMac gets pick. But the big return well across midfield erased by John Franklin-Myers hitting into Mahomes' back on return. So a pick six muted. Then a long return muted. But Chiefs kept off the board. -- Renck
No pick-6 (4:07 p.m.): Jahdae Barron's pick-6 gets erased after a penalty on Riley Moss. — Nguyen
Wow, that close to a game-tilting pick six for Jahdae Barron. But called back for a Riley Moss illegal contact. — Gabriel
Halftime thoughts — Broncos 6, Chiefs 6
Parker Gabriel, beat reporter: Trending away from "Vance Joseph should get a head coaching job this winter" and toward "Vance Joseph should be very picky about which job he ultimately says yes to."
Luca Evans, beat writer: Well, the Chiefs have outgained the Broncos 151 to 88, have won the time-of-possession, battle, have been more efficient offensively -- and we're tied. The Broncos need better operation offensively and better WR play, because Bo Nix has been in rhythm when given the chance. Vance Joseph's defense continues to come through.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: If there's another ground wind, would Payton have gone for it on fourth-and-miniscule from his own 36? Talk about a brutal spot. The Chiefs have looked sloppy, committing seven first-half penalties to Denver's two, yet they're still totally in this game. Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin have been targeted a combined six times so far. They've managed two catches for a combined 30 yards. Woof.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Feels like first TD wins. Broncos have five first downs, that leaves them on pace for 10. The same number had against Raiders. They had 9 against Chargers in loss. Their offense remains in a funk. Very clear they need to go uptempo, especially if can't run the ball. Without Marvin Mims return Broncos would be in big trouble. But everything remains available to them because of that burst and the amazing defense.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Neither offense has looked particularly sharp. But take away that massive return from Marvin Mims Jr., and the Broncos are trailing at the half. No J.K. Dobbins appears to mean no run game. And that could be a big problem in the second half.
Second-quarter updates
Sacked (3:51 p.m.): Ja'Quan McMillian with the sack to end the half. — Nguyen
Nothing burger (3:50 p.m.): All that hand-wringing over the last three minutes, and nobody scores at all. We're 6-6 going into the break ... which feels about right. — Schubert
Target Moss (3:49 p.m.): Chiefs are going to try to run the DPI on Riley Moss play right here. — Gabriel
Punt (3:44 p.m.): Broncos stopped centimeters from a first down. Rough spot to say the least.
Patrick Mahomes has 27 seconds to get into field goal range from the KC 24. -- Schubert
Tempo (3:39 p.m.): Tracy Wolfson said on the broadcast that on an earlier third down Bo Nix was "begging" Sean Payton to get the play-call in quicker. "The offensive line came off the field and said, 'we have to change the tempo,'" Wolfson reported.
Bo Nix at the start of this drive looking at Sean Payton on the sideline and rolling his hand like, "Let's go." — Gabriel
Sacked (3:36 p.m.): Patrick Mahomes gets sacked on third-and-2 by DJ Jones and Que Robinson. — Nguyen
Que Robinson played that perfectly. Didn't take bait. Stayed in lane in rush. And it forced Mahomes not to escape and DJ Jones sacked Mahomes. -- Renck
Massive sack on third down from the Broncos. D.J. Jones and Que Robinson converge. Chiefs had a chance to score on both ends of halftime. Now the Broncos have a chance to take a lead into the break. -- Schubert
Punt (3:30 p.m.): A one-minute drive not idea with 3 minutes left in half and KC getting ball to start second half. Inability run ball and Payton's gravitational pull to pass is biting Broncos right now. -- Renck
That is a potentially under-the-radar brutal possession from the Broncos. It's a four-play drive that took just 1:22 off the clock.
Chiefs getting it with 3:04 to go in the first half and they'll start the second half with the ball. — Gabriel
Drops (3:29 p.m.): The Troy Franklin Drop-O-Meter is at 2, last I checked. Or is it 3? -- Keeler
Troy Franklin's struggles at the catch point continue. Drops have cropped up here and there but he too often just doesn't come down with the ball in contested situations or allows it to be knocked away from his hands. — Gabriel
If you count that earlier deep ball as a drop, Troy Franklin now has six drops this year in 76 targets. Four in the last three weeks. — Evans
First down, Broncos (3:27 p.m.): Three passes to Pat Bryant, three first downs for the rookie. — Nguyen
Field goal, Chiefs (3:23 p.m.): Two red zone trips for both teams. Two field goals for both teams. We've got ourselves a stalemate so far.
Credit Eyioma Uwazurike for a big run stop on second-and-short.
That was 9:32 of possession for three points. -- Schubert
Simmons bear hugs Bonitto, then throws him to ground. No call. But Chiefs fail to convert on third down. Settle for a field goal. 16 plays, 77 yards. It's all knotted at 6. -- Renck
That field goal drive for the Chiefs: 16 plays, 77 yards, 9:32 TOP. — Gabriel
Grind (3:18 p.m.): One thing that has changed with Chiefs over the last few years -- they will grind out drives. They have been methodical in this march. -- Renck
Third-down conversion (3:13 p.m.): That third down would have been nice to have Pat Surtain II. Great route by Worthy. But don't think Surtain falls for it. -- Renck
Punt (3:08 p.m.): First three and out of the day for the Broncos. Although that McLaughlin "tackle" was dubious to say the least. -- Schubert
First-quarter thoughts — Broncos 6, Chiefs 3
Parker Gabriel, beat reporter: This always set up as a red zone game and so far the winner is: Both defenses. The Broncos are going to rue managing only three points out of a first-and-10 from the 12.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Bo Nix might have the best pass deflection on the day, but man, it was smart. Sean Payton running a WR pass out of a jumbo set? Less smart. Have.a feeling this isn't the last time we hear Riley Moss' name called by the zebras, either, and Mahomes is going to use 21 for cheap yards the way Mario Kart gives you boost pads. Have to get seven from the red zone, and not three, if you're gonna beat Magic Mahomes.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Bo Nix is in rhythm. Passing game much improved. But the lack of running game and a stupid trick play led to to field goals in two red zone trips.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Two red zone trips, two field goals. Will that come back to haunt the Broncos? At some point, Patrick Mahomes is going to hit one of those deep passes. And it sure would be nice to have some cushion when he does.
First-quarter updates
Field goal, Chiefs (2:58 p.m.): Harrison Butker nails the 31-yard field goal. Nine plays for 58 yards on the drive. Broncos 6, Chiefs 3 with 49 seconds remaining the first quarter. — Nguyen
Broncos hold in the red zone and force a field goal.
KC now 1/11 in the red zone against Denver since Vance Joseph has been back as the DC (not including W18 last year). — Gabriel
A field goal game. Like the Chiefs before them, the Broncos could've easily had a pick in the red zone if Talanoa Hufanga was ready for that tipped ball. -- Schubert
The way for the Broncos to win this game is similar to Houston. That kind of score. That hold in red zone was big after PI call on Moss. But Broncos have been one of the league's best red zone teams all year. -- Renck
Penalty (2:58 p.m.): Figured the refs were meeting to discuss awarding the Chiefs a TD.. But alas. it was holding on Chiefs. They are now kicking a field goal. -- Renck
Near pick (2:55 p.m.): Talanoa Hufanga was preparing to lower boom on WR and didn't see ball bounce into belly. -- Renck
Penalty (2:53 p.m.): Riley Moss gets dinged for a 40-yard pass-interference penalty. Chiefs in the red zone. — Nguyen
That's a legit flag on Riley Moss. Can't tug on a guy's jersey like that. Patrick Mahomes is testing these outside cornerbacks early and often. That's the third deep pass of the game and we're still in the first quarter. -- Schubert
Run game (2:48 p.m.): Broncos are clearly trying to establish RJ Harvey as a between-the-tackles guy early to minimal results. 3 carries for 5 yards on first two drives.
Have to keep giving it to him, though. Need to see what you have there and alleviate pressure on Bo Nix. — Evans
Field goal, Broncos (2:45 p.m.): Two runs, and then Bo Nix is nearly picked off on third down. Another field goal on the Broncos' second foray in the red zone.
Marvin Mims Jr gets all the credit for those three points. Right now, the Broncos special teams are winning this game.
Yup, you read that right. -- Schubert
Red-zone batdowns at the line of scrimmage have been a consistent problem for Broncos this year. — Evans
That hurts. Nix had Sutton open and ball was deflected at line of scrimmage. One big play and Broncos are trailing. But given how poor offense and special teams have performed five of the last six weeks, the start is encouraging. -- Renck
Sean Payton calls red zone third downs "four-point plays." Broncos are 0-2 so far.
A quality start, but those are the kind of sequences that can easily come back to sting in big games. — Gabriel
Stopped (2:41 p.m.): After getting a first, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes throws three straight incompletions. KC punts. Marvin Mims Jr. takes it for a HUGE return. — Nguyen
That fantastic return is gonna stick. See what happens when there's no "ground wind"!!! Broncos ball at the KC 11. — Schubert
Field goal, Broncos (2:35 p.m.): Bo Nix was sacked on third down. Denver settles for a 29-yard Wil Lutz field goal. Fourteen plays for 54 yards on that drive. Broncos 3, Chiefs 0 with 7:36 to go in the first quarter. — Nguyen
Let's face it: The Broncos are VERY lucky to get three points out of that drive after THAT play call.
Kudos to Bo Nix on pass defense. -- Schubert
Bo Nix gets the pass defense on the trick play pass from Harvey. That was awful and unnecessary. Should have been picked. Broncos waste a down when humming along. A sack on third down forces field goal. Tremendous opening drive tainted by a trick play. Broncos lead 3-0 with 7:36 remaining in first. ... The positive is the lead and 7:24 off the clock. That is how you beat Chiefs. Play keepaway. Make them one dimensional. -- Renck
Sean Payton just cannot help the trick play when everything's going well. Cost the Broncos there, as an opening drive stalls out in the red zone.
Still, just the second time this season the Broncos have scored first in a game (Week 5 against Philly) and the first opening-drive points since Week 2 at Indy. — Gabriel
RJ Harvey, QB (2:33 p.m.): Not a great throw by RJ Harvey to Bo Nix. Nix with the nice deflection to prevent the interception. — Nguyen
The Broncos were moving the ball so well, it was the perfect time to dial up a halfback pass to the quarterback. -- Schubert
First down, Broncos (2:33 p.m.): Nix finds Bryant again for the first down. Denver's in the red zone. — Nguyen
Jaleel McLaughlin sighting (2:31 p.m.): The Broncos running back's second carry of the year results in a first down. Then they go right back to him for a 6-yard gain. — Nguyen
First down, Broncos (2:30 p.m.): Bo Nix finds Courtland Sutton to convert the third down. Denver's offense looks better this week. — Nguyen
O-line (2:29 p.m.): Broncos OL hasn't had many communication issues this year but that was one on that opening sack. Luke Wattenberg turned toward the blitz and Denver had enough players to account for the DB coming off the edge, but Bolles and Palczewski blocked the same guy. — Gabriel
First down, Broncos (2:28 p.m.): Bo Nix connects with Pat Bryant to convert the third down. — Nguyen
That third-down conversion to Pat Bryant was just Denver's second passing first down on an opening drive since Week 2. — Gabriel
Coin toss (2:25 p.m.): Chiefs win the toss and the Broncos will start with the ball. Tyler Badie takes a knee in the end zone. Denver will start at its 35. — Nguyen
Pre-game updates
Big game (1:56 p.m.): A big game is becoming larger by the moment. With the Chargers getting smoked by the Jaguars, the Broncos could practically win the AFC West today with a win. They would move 2 games ahead of LA and 3.5 ahead of KC with six to play. -- Renck
Green dot (1:42 p.m.): It's official: Broncos ILB Justin Strnad is wearing the green dot today in place of Alex Singleton. Can see dot on back of his helmet.
Huge test for Strnad, who's typically played will LB throughout his career and now will lead communication in biggest game of the year. — Evans
Singleton (12:35 p.m.): Broncos ILB Alex Singleton is with team today vs. Chiefs, wearing sweats. Walking around now during early warm-ups.
He’s still been in every meeting trying to coach up ILBs this week. Highly likely itap Justin Strnad wearing green dot today. — Evans
Inactives (11:36 a.m.): The Broncos' starting point for inactives won't be difficult to figure out today. Four of them are injured players: CB Pat Surtain II, ILB Alex Singleton, OLB Jonah Elliss and TE Nate Adkins. — Gabriel
Warm weather (11:16 a.m.): We get a lot of nice days here in our fair city, but not many better than this. It's pushing 70 degrees, there's not a cloud in the sky. Empower Field is fitted with fresh turf. Oh, and it's the 8-2 Broncos against the 5-4 Chiefs. — Gabriel
Scouting report (10:38 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Chiefs in Luca Evans' scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, Broncos reporter: Kansas City 23, Denver 21
The Broncos are 6-2 in one-score games. The Chiefs are 0-4. And yet K.C. is a 4-point road favorite against the team with the NFL’s longest home winning streak. Sean Payton will readily remind anyone listening that you are what your record says you are, but your record does not necessarily forecast what you’re expected to be going forward. The West tightens by one turn.
Luca Evans, Broncos reporter: Kansas City 24, Denver 20
This is not the week to be missing J.K. Dobbins, Pat Surtain II and Alex Singleton, who are among the 10 most important players on this Broncos roster. Kansas City is vulnerable. So is Denver, suddenly, with a rash of injuries and absences. Letap circle back to this matchup in Week 17 on Christmas.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 19, Chiefs 17
Everything screams loss for the Broncos with their injuries and the Chiefs’ urgency. But the reality is the Broncos have a path to victory. Every big game Patrick Mahomes has lost over the last few years involves a defensive line capable of making him miserable. The Broncos will get to Mahomes, and the upset hinges on creating turnovers and a short field for Bo Nix. The template is the Texans game.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 23, Chiefs 22
If Andy Reid’s 22-4 career record after a bye doesn’t scare you, this number might: The Chiefs are 14-1 in division road tilts since 2016 from Nov. 1 to the end of the regular season. That one loss? The “KC JV Game” here in Week 18 of last year. When they try, they fly. But once you get that 2015 vibe, itap hard to let that go. With Empower rocking and the defense rolling, Mile High Magic somehow finds a way.
Broncos-Chiefs NFL Week 11: Must-reads
Renck: Underdog? Injuries? Counted out? This is when DzԳDz’ Sean Payton is at his best
Sean Payton wears Jordans, Lululemon sweats, and cashes $15 million checks. But here is a little secret: He is at his best when he gets no respect. When everyone thinks he has no chance.
Such is the case Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. This is the biggest game in Denver since the 2015 season. What was supposed to serve as a platform to provide a definitive answer about the AFC West instead has raised an uncomfortable question.
How on earth are the Broncos going to beat them? Read Troy Renck's column.
After weeks of inactivity, Broncos RB Jaleel McLaughlin ‘ready’ for opportunity in J.K. Dobbins’ absence
With workhorse running back J.K. Dobbins officially ruled out with a foot injury, McLaughlin is primed for a toss in the fire against the Chiefs. He has received just one carry in 2025, stashed as inactive for nine of 10 games after finishing second on the Broncos in touches in 2024. Dobbins’ absence leaves at least 15 carries a game available to the rest of Denver’s backfield.
Rookie second-rounder RJ Harvey will likely pick up much of the slack. But McLaughlin is “ready,” head coach Sean Payton said Friday. Read Luca Evans' story.
Broncos analysis: To unleash Bo Nix and unlock offense, Sean Payton must start at the beginning
For Denver to have a realistic chance of mounting a deep playoff run or pushing toward a Super Bowl appearance, however, several offensive issues have to get ironed out.
The starting point, naturally, is the beginning. Read Parker Gabriel's story.
