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The Denver Broncos rallied from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 28-24, moving to the top of the AFC West with a 6-2 record. Head coach Sean Payton’s squad earned its fourth consecutive victory despite navigating a difficult early-season schedule that featured matchups against the Chiefs, Jaguars, Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks.
Bo Nix Delivers in the Fourth Quarter
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix struggled through the first three quarters, entering the final period with 15 completions on 26 attempts for 153 yards. However, Nix turned the game around in the fourth quarter, completing 5 of 6 passes for 84 yards, including a touchdown pass to Nate Adkins and a key play to Jonah Coleman.
Since entering the league in 2024, Nix has recorded 15 game-winning drives, the most by a quarterback in his first three seasons. He also tied Derek Carr for the most fourth-quarter comebacks in a quarterback’s first three seasons with 12. Under Nix, Denver has averaged 8.1 points in the fourth quarter, the highest mark for any starting quarterback since at least 1950.
Denver’s Run Defense Shows Marked Progress
Denver’s defense secured the victory with a late goal-line stand, following a strong performance against the run throughout the game. Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III was limited to 69 yards, averaging 2.1 yards per carry after contact, compared to his 7.8 yards per carry after contact in Week 1.
Statistically, Denver’s run defense has shown steady progress across the season. Between Weeks 1 to 4 and Weeks 5 to 8, the Broncos reduced their allowed yards per rush from 4.8 to 4.2, cut explosive runs from 11 to 8, and lowered yards after contact per rush from 4.1 to 3.1.
Questions Surrounding Chiefs’ Late-Game Decisions
Kansas City head coach Andy Reid faced scrutiny for late-game management after quarterback Patrick Mahomes took a sack with under three minutes remaining while leading by three points. On fourth-and-8 from the Denver 36-yard line, Reid opted for a field goal attempt in rainy conditions, but kicker Harrison Butker missed wide right.
Butker has struggled from long distance this season, converting 2 of 7 attempts from 50 yards or beyond. Mahomes, meanwhile, has converted 50 percent of his career attempts on fourth-and-8 to fourth-and-12 situations.
Mahomes Performs Despite Limited Deep Threat
Mahomes finished with strong individual numbers, completing 30 of 41 passes for 321 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions while recording a 0.16 expected points added (EPA) per dropback. On third downs, he completed 6 of 10 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. However, Kansas City lacked downfield production, failing to complete a pass of 20 or more yards downfield for the third consecutive game following Tyquan Thornton’s injury.
Running back Emmett Johnson led the Chiefs in receiving with five catches for 128 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown, while adding a 15-yard rush and a 44-yard kickoff return. Tight end Travis Kelce caught five passes for 67 yards, and Rashee Rice had seven receptions for 53 yards. For Denver, rookie running back Jonah Coleman filled in with RJ Harvey sidelined, leading the Broncos with 11 carries for 41 rushing yards and 63 receiving yards, alongside scoring the winning touchdown.
