Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
FINAL | Broncos 20, Chiefs 13
Broncos outlast Chiefs on Christmas night, 20-13, move to doorstep of AFC title
It wasn't pretty, but the Broncos got it done.
Denver mounted a late fourth-quarter drive that was capped off by a 1-yard Bo Nix touchdown pass to RJ Harvey to beat the Chiefs, 20-13, on Christmas Day in Kansas City, Missouri.
The win moved the Broncos to 13-3 and sole possession of the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Next up: Hosting the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
More Broncos coverage:
- Broncos outlast Chiefs on Christmas night, 20-13, move to doorstep of AFC West title.
- Renck: Merry Nixmas? Not really. Broncos ugly win raises more questions about legitimacy.
- Broncos-Chiefs report card: Sean Payton controls time-of-possession in ugly Christmas win.
- Broncos place starting center Luke Wattenberg on injured reserve with shoulder injury.
- Broncos four downs: Bo Nix, Sean Payton overcome refs, Al Michaels, Chiefs backups to keep dream of No. 1 seed alive.
Live updates
Fourth-quarter updates
No good (9:01 p.m.): Kansas City made a strong closing drive but couldn't pull it off. Denver will narrowly win this game to improve to 13-3. — Nguyen
Touchdown, Broncos (8:50 p.m.): Third-and-goal with about a foot to go, Bo Nix finds RJ Harvey in the back of the end zone. Fourteen plays for 65 yards, taking 6:18 off the clock. Broncos 20, Chiefs 13 with 1:45 to go in the fourth. — Nguyen
Fourth down? (8:44 p.m.): Wow. Chris Jones jumps on fourth-and-2. Denver gets the first down. — Nguyen
Third-down conversion (8:33 p.m.): Another big conversion. Bo Nix finds Lil'Jordan Humphrey wide open in the center of the field. — Nguyen
Third down (8:31 p.m.): RJ Harvey with a huge 11-yard gain on third-and-1. Broncos need to score on this drive. — Nguyen
Field goal, Chiefs (8:25 p.m.): Harrison Butker nails the 47-yard field goal to tie up the game. Broncos 13, Chiefs 13 with 8:03 to go in the fourth. — Nguyen
That's not going to help either (8:19 p.m.): A 59-yard punt by Jeremy Crawshaw is returned for 45 yards to Denver's 45. — Nguyen
Sacked (8:18 p.m.): That's not going to help, Chris Jones sacks Bo Nix on third-and-4. Denver's going to punt. It's on the defense. Again. — Nguyen
First down (8:16 p.m.): Denver converts on the third-and-4 with a short pass to Michael Bandy. This game might be over if the Broncos can get a touchdown on this drive. — Nguyen
Third-quarter thoughts — Broncos 13, Chiefs 10
Troy Renck, sports columnist: This game has been methodical. Very similar to the Raiders game. But it has left the Chiefs within striking distance. Give Bo Nix credit. He took over on the longest TD drive of the season, making plays with his legs. He has 35 yards rushing. More of this please.
Third-quarter updates
Touchdown, Broncos (8:01 p.m.): Bo Nix scrambles in for a 9-yard touchdown to cap off the 14-play, 72-yard drive that took 9:47 off the clock. Broncos 13, Chiefs 10 with 1:55 to go in the third quarter. — Nguyen
Heck of a run by Bo Nix to bounce outside, get up the field and get into the end zone on first and goal.
Broncos have the lead late in the third quarter. — Gabriel
That was Broncos longest drive resulting in TD, per Parker Gabriel research. Bo has to run more. He is too good of an athlete to throw 50 times a game. -- Renck
Fourth-down attempt (7:59 p.m.): Bo Nix scrambles for the first down on the fourth-and-inches attempt. — Nguyen
Big first down (7:54 p.m.): Huge 23-yard gain on the Bo Nix to Courtland Sutton connection. Sutton now has 1,012 yards on the year. — Nguyen
Nice day (7:50 p.m.): Five carries for 34 yards for Jaleel McLaughlin so far. — Nguyen
TFL (7:44 p.m.): Jonah Elliss comes up big on those last few plays. He just took down JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 5-yard loss. Chiefs make 53-yard field goal. Chiefs 10, Broncos 6 with 11:42 to go in the third quarter. — Nguyen
Sacked (7:43 p.m.): Dondrea Tillman sacks Chris Oladokun for a 9-yard loss. It's Denver's first of the night. — Nguyen
Penalty (7:42 p.m.): Big pass interference call on Pat Surtain II, who pushes Xavier Worthy on that long throw. — Nguyen
Halftime thoughts — Chief 7, Broncos 6
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Gonna feel a little tight for Denver here in the second half. They need somebody somewhere to make a big play.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Broncos are too methodical on offense. And it leaves them with no margin for error when Courtland Sutton drops ball in end zone. And the defense does not create turnovers, ranking near the bottom all season. It leaves games way closer than need to be. Also highlights that Broncos need more explosive offense weapons this offseason. Nix finished the half 13-22 for 86 yards. Harvey leads in receiving with 19 yards. And McLaughlin leads in rushing with 28. That won't work against a bad team, good team or really any team.
Second-quarter updates
Field goal, Broncos (7:21 p.m.): Denver settles for a 30-yard field goal by Wil Lutz to cap off a 15-play, 79-yard drive that took 8:04 off the clock. Chiefs 7, Broncos 6 with 19 seconds to go in the half. — Nguyen
Offense (7:16 p.m.): Broncos lack of explosive weapons has really shown up last two weeks. Hard to put together 10-to-14 play drives all the time. Nix been best weapon, followed by Sutton. Now facing third-and-2 from own 39-yard line at 2 minute warning. TD on this drive would salvage the half. -- Renck
Splits (7:15 p.m.): The Broncos have 18 passing plays for 73 yards and 13 rushing plays for 50 so far. — Nguyen
First down, Broncos (7:10 p.m.): Bo Nix scrambles for a big 14-yard gain. — Nguyen
Bo Nix wisely takes off and runs for first down. This really, really needs to be part of his game entering the postseason. His legs are a weapon, especially with Dobbins out. -- Renck
Sutton (7:09 p.m.): Two catches for 11 yards for Courtland Sutton so far. He needs 17 more to reach 1,000 for the year. — Nguyen
Punting (7:03 p.m.): Denver allowed a first down on the Isiah Pacheco run but then clamped down to force a punt after the next series of plays. — Nguyen
Punting (6:57 p.m.): After driving on their opening drive, Denver's offense has been struggling. Five plays for 13 yards on that drive. — Nguyen
Bo Nix a little wide for Courtland Sutton on third-and-8.
Nix's accuracy issues from last weekend against Jacksonville carrying over some tonight. — Gabriel
Nix looked like had room to run, having to beat only the LB near the first down. But he threw off balance and high to Courtland Sutton. When his feet are off, his throws follow suit. It is like a pitcher whose mechanics get out of sync. -- Renck
Touchdown, Chiefs (6:49 p.m.): Chris Oladokun finds Brashard Smith for the 5-yard touchdown. A 10-play, 35-yard drive. Chiefs 7, Broncos 3 with 12:49 to go in the second quarter. — Nguyen
The Chiefs have the lead after they turned a Bo Nix interception into a short TD drive. It's Chris Oladokun's first career touchdown pass and it came on what looked like miscommunication between Alex Singleton and Riley Moss on who had RB Brashard Smith in the flat. — Gabriel
First down (6:47 p.m.): Broncos defenders stop Travis Kelce just short of the first down. But Kareem Hunt gains 5 on a fourth-and-1. — Nguyen
First-quarter thoughts — Broncos 3, Chiefs 0
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Only way Broncos can lose this game is by turning the ball over. Of course, they did exactly that on a Bo Nix pick to Bolton. The pick wasn't even worst part. Nix had Mims wide open to start the drive for big gain and missed him. Broncos won every stat in the first quarter, but settling for a field goal and throwing a pick evened the playing field. Denver leads 3-0 but KC is on the 13-yard line, threatening.
First-quarter updates
Picked off (6:39 p.m.): Under pressure, Bo tries to connect with Lil'Jordan Humphrey, but instead the ball gets deflected and then picked off by Nick Bolton. Chiefs to get the ball back at the Denver 35. — Nguyen
Hell of a play by Fulton to deflect ball. And even beter diving interception by Nick Bolton. Chiefs get first turnover of the night. — Renck
Really poor drive by Bo Nix there. Missed Marvin Mims Jr. on first down, not a great keep on second down, tipped pick on third. — Evans
Pressure (6:36 p.m.): Jonathon Cooper with pressure in the face of Chiefs QB Chris Oladokun. Chiefs failed to convert on third down. Broncos take over at their own 19 with 3:46 left in the first quarter. Nix on the first drive was 6-for-7 for 39 yards. -- Renck
Broncos got Chris Oladokun into third-and-long and, perhaps not surprisingly, but a hard hit on him to force a punt. Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto both there but Cooper got the hit in. — Gabriel
Bad tackle attempt (6:33 p.m.): Another bad miss on the tackle by Riley Moss. Thankfully for Denver, the receiver stepped out of bounds. — Nguyen
Short plays (6:29 p.m.): Longest play was a 9-yard checkdown pass to RJ Harvey. Gotta to have to stretch defense with vertical routes sooner rather than later. -- Renck
Field goal, Broncos (6:25 p.m.): Bo Nix couldn't make it 7 for 7 after missing Lil'Jordan Humphrey on third-and-6. Wil Lutz nails the 27-yard field goal. Thirteen plays for 56 yards and 8:02 off the clock. Broncos 3, Chiefs 0 with 6:58 to go in the first quarter. — Nguyen
That drive was the Raiders game all over again. 14 plays, 56 yards, 8:02 off the clock. But had to settle for a measly field goal. Broncos lead 3-0. -- Renck
Bo Nix completed his first six but a grinding Broncos drive stalls out when he missed LJ Humphrey.
Lutz from 27 and Denver leads 3-0.
Drive: 14 plays, 56 yards, 8:02. — Gabriel
Spreading the wealth (6:23 p.m.): Five pass attempts, five completions, four receivers. Now another first down on the Bo Nix draw. — Nguyen
Driving (6:21 p.m.): RJ Harvey gets nice blocking on a pseudo WR screen. Had more momentum catching it on run. Trautman made a nice block to spring him for first down as drive continues. -- Renck
Spreading the wealth (6:19 p.m.): The Bandito, Michael Bandy, involved in passing game. — Renck
First down (6:18 p.m.): Quick 9-yard pass to RJ Harvey and a 6-yard run by the rookie gives Denver its first first down of the day. — Nguyen
Coin toss (6:15 p.m.): Chiefs win the toss and defer. Denver up first with the ball. — Gabriel
Pre-game updates
Weather (6:14 p.m.): It's 57 degrees with 99% humidity on a not-at-all-weird Christmas night in KC. — Gabriel
Next man up (5:44 p.m.): Calvin Throckmorton appears to be Denver's No. 2 center going forward with Luke Wattenberg on IR and Alex Forsyth into the starting lineup. — Gabriel
QB3 (5:42 p.m.): Chiefs leaning all the way into the third-string quarterback thing. Chris Oladokun broke down the huddle after warmups. -- Renck
Warmups (5:39 p.m.): No surprises but the Broncos' No. 1 defense in warmups features Surtain, Moss and McMillian at CB, Singleton and Strnad at ILB and Hufanga and Locke at S. — Gabriel
Gametime forecast (5:07 p.m.): Forecast calling for 56 degrees at kickoff, and 51 in fourth quarter with patches of fog throughout. Shouldn't be an issue. I will be surprised if crowd is as loud as usual. But they will likely be roars when Travis Kelce does anything. He is likely playing his last home game of his career. -- Renck
Broncos inactives (4:53 p.m.):
- ILB Dre Greenlaw (hamstring)
- TE Nate Adkins (knee)
- WR Pat Bryant (concussion)
- OLB Que Robinson
- DL Jordan Jackson
- DL Sai'Vion Jones
- OL Geron Christian
— Gabriel
IR (4:10 p.m.): Not great news for the Broncos. The team placed center Luke Wattenberg on the injured reserve with a shoulder injury, Luca Evans reports. — Nguyen
Weather (3:32 p.m.): Fog is thick around the stadium. Would have been cooler if this was the weather in London. But it is unusually warm, with temps near 60 degrees. -- Renck
Travel stories (10:16 a.m.): A lot of Broncos fans on flight this morning. Some talked about this as their first game at Arrowhead. Boy, they have no idea of the misery they missed the last nine years. — Renck
Scouting report (9:52 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Chiefs in Luca Evans' scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, Broncos writer: Broncos 23, Chiefs 13
The Broncos are 2-2 on Thursday nights under Sean Payton to date and they’ve really only played well offensively in 1.5 of those games —- last year against New Orleans and in the first half against the L.A. Chargers. Two of the only times Sean Payton’s criticized his own game plan has come on TNF (2023 at KC, earlier this year against Las Vegas). But this Chiefs team is done and buried. It should be decisive, even if itap not pretty.
Luca Evans, Broncos writer: Broncos 24, Chiefs 16
The vibes feel somewhat sinister here. Itap a Thursday of Christmas week. There’s little riding on this matchup for Kansas City, and everything riding for these Broncos. Teams with nothing to lose can generally pack a punch. But the sheer talent and success differential is much too hard to ignore, as is Kansas City’s overwhelming heap of injuries.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 26, Chiefs 10
The Broncos owe the Chiefs in the worst way. They have lost nine straight games at Arrowhead, with Kansas City delighting in embarrassing them. Time for the Broncos to go full Cobra Kai. Show no remorse. Break out a few gadget plays, aim for at least six sacks and keep the dream alive for an AFC West title and the No. 1 seed
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 22, Chiefs 17
Great holiday party game: See who in the family can name name at least two of Chiefs QB Chris Oladokun’s three college football stops without looking it up on their phones. Itap Thursday night, so it probably won’t be pretty. If the Broncos can keep Oladokun from going all Mariota on them with his legs, they should be fine. Although Al Michaels might not be after this one.
Broncos-Chiefs NFL Week 17: Must-reads
Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga doesn’t care about perceived Pro Bowl snub. He wants ‘a ring.’
His NFL life has brought different waves, the tide drawing back and carrying a new challenge forward. In his first couple of years in San Francisco, Hufanga was just focused on starting. In his last couple of years there, he was just focused on getting healthy amid injuries. After signing with the Broncos in 2025, he’s just been focused on grasping a newfound status as a captain. No mind to a Pro Bowl.
“At the end of the day itap like — we got bigger goals, too,” Hufanga told The Denver Post, asked about the perceived snub. “And, yeah, (the Pro Bowl) could be incentive-based to some people. Like, some people are truly — I’ve played with some guys that itap like, ‘I lost money!’ But nah. Thatap not me.
“I’m here to play the game,” he continued, “to win a ring.” Read Luca Evans' story.
Renck: Forget sympathy. Broncos need to exact revenge on Chiefs this Christmas.
The Chiefs and their fans have delighted in their dominance of Denver, understandably so after how John Elway and Peyton Manning treated them for two decades. That seems like a long time ago. The Broncos have lost nine straight games at Arrowhead Stadium.
Is it too much to ask for Denver to beat them before they move with Dorothy and Toto to Kansas? Read Troy Renck's column.
Broncos don’t intend to place LB Dre Greenlaw on injured reserve, sources say
A potential Week 15 injury nightmare for these Broncos appears to be more just a bad dream.
Denver is not planning to place linebacker Dre Greenlaw on injured reserve, multiple sources told The Denver Post on Tuesday. Greenlaw suffered a non-contact hamstring injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 34-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and has been listed as an estimated DNP on Denver’s injury reports Monday and Tuesday. Read Luca Evans' story.
