Broncos take commanding lead of AFC West with win as Chiefs' playoff hopes receive huge hit

The Denver Broncos converted connected 3rd down doubly and acceptable up Will Lutz for the game-winning 35-yard tract extremity to extinguish immoderate lingering demons that person plagued them against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Denver won the game, 22-19.

The Broncos’ defence was arsenic bully arsenic ever, keeping Patrick Mahomes and the remainder of the Chiefs discourtesy successful check. Despite a fewer penalties against antiaircraft backmost Riley Moss, it was Ja’Quan McMillian who was the thorn successful the Chiefs’ side.

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Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian, right, sacks Kansas City Chiefs backmost Patrick Mahomes (15) during the 2nd fractional an NFL shot crippled Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, successful Denver.  (Jack Dempsey/AP Photo)

He had an interception connected Mahomes successful the 3rd 4th and sacked him with little than 4 minutes near successful the game. He had six tackles, 2 sacks and 2 walk breakups successful the win.

Justin Strnad led the Broncos with 10 tackles. D.J. Jones had 3 tackles, including a sack. Kansas City was held to 311 yards of full discourtesy connected 62 full plays. Kansas City had 19 archetypal downs but struggled successful the reddish zone, going 1-for-4.

Bo Nix recovered Troy Franklin connected 3rd down for 32 yards that helped acceptable Lutz up for an easier tract goal. Nix was 24-of-37 with 295 passing yards. Jaleel McLaughlin had the lone touchdown for the Broncos. He ran it into the extremity portion successful the 3rd quarter.

Franklin led the Broncos with 4 catches for 84 yards.

RAVENS STAR FOOLS BROWNS' DEFENSE WITH FAKE TUSH PUSH, GO-AHEAD TD RUN

Denver Broncos moving backmost Jaleel McLaughlin celebrates aft scoring during the 2nd fractional an NFL shot crippled against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, successful Denver. (Jack Dempsey/AP Photo)

Denver improved to 9-2 with the triumph and person implicit power of the AFC West, pursuing the Los Angeles Chargers’ nonaccomplishment to the Jacksonville Jaguars connected the road. Denver has present won 3 retired of their past 4 against Kansas City aft antecedently losing 16 consecutive games.

If the Broncos’ bully luck holds up, Denver volition triumph the AFC West for the archetypal clip since the 2015 season. In that season, the Broncos’ defence helped the squad to a Super Bowl win. The Broncos person victories implicit past year’s Super Bowl matchup. They bushed the Philadelphia Eagles successful Week 5.

Kansas City’s playoff representation becomes much complicated.

The Chiefs autumn to 5-5 and find themselves retired of the playoffs completely. They would beryllium clearing retired their lockers connected Monday if the play ended pursuing this game.

Kansas City sits successful ninth place, 1 crippled down the Jaguars successful the triumph column. However, the Houston Texans beryllium successful betwixt some teams due to the fact that the Texans person a tiebreaker implicit the Chiefs. Houston has the amended winning percent successful league games.

Denver Broncos spot kicker Wil Lutz (3) aft celebrates aft making a 35-yard tract extremity to decision the Kansas City Chiefs successful an NFL shot crippled Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, successful Denver. (Jack Dempsey/AP Photo)

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The Chiefs’ streak of making 8 consecutive AFC Championships hangs successful the balance.

On Sunday, Mahomes was 29-of-45 with a touchdown walk and an interception. The touchdown went to Travis Kelce, who had 9 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown.

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