Broncos seize division lead after 15-point fourth-quarter rally past Chiefs
Bo Nix led Denver to a 28-24 victory over Kansas City, snapping a 10-point deficit to claim first place in the AFC West.
By Olivia Miller ·
Malcolm Roach sacked Patrick Mahomes on the final play of the game, securing Denver's 28-24 victory and moving the Broncos into first place in the AFC West. The win caps a dramatic shift in momentum that erased a double-digit deficit in the final minutes of a rainy Sunday contest at Empower Field.
The Broncos trailed 24-13 heading into the fourth quarter after Kansas City built a lead with three touchdowns. Bo Nix took over the offense in the final frame and directed two consecutive scoring drives. He first connected with tight end Nate Adkins for a two-yard score, then completed a two-point conversion to Jaylen Waddle to cut the deficit to 24-21. Denver needed just two plays and 35 seconds to take the lead after Harrison Butker missed a 54-yard field goal attempt wide right.
Nix threw a 51-yard pass to rookie running back Jonah Coleman, who then scored from the five-yard line to put Denver ahead 28-24. With under two minutes remaining, the Chiefs drove into Denver territory but could not convert on the final possession. Kenneth Walker III ran for three yards on first down, placing the ball at the one-yard line. Mahomes threw an incomplete pass on second down, Walker was stopped on third down, and Roach sacked Mahomes on fourth down to end the game.
Nix finished with 222 passing yards on 20 of 32 attempts and two touchdowns without an interception. Mahomes completed 30 of 41 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns. Although he had not been held without a touchdown pass in consecutive games before this week, his third-quarter score to Noah Gray was his final pass of the contest. The Chiefs dropped to 5-2, marking their second straight loss after falling to Seattle last week.
Kansas City's offensive line struggled in the fourth quarter. A sack by Alex Singleton resulted in a six-yard loss for Mahomes just before Butker's missed kick. The Chiefs also faced injury challenges, with defensive end Peter Woods exiting in the first quarter. Cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Mansoor Delane were out, forcing Kristian Fulton and Nohl Williams to start.
Denver also managed several injuries during the game. Cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine left in the second quarter with an ankle issue, and safety Brandon Jones was ruled out at halftime with a hamstring injury. Running back RJ Harvey missed the game after being placed on short-term injured reserve following a knee injury in practice.
The Broncos' defensive pressure proved decisive in the final minutes. Roach's sack on the final play preserved the lead, while the unit contained Walker to 69 rushing yards on 21 carries. The Chiefs will host the New York Jets next Sunday, while Denver travels to face the Carolina Panthers.
