Broncos Outlast Chiefs in Gritty Christmas Clash, Move Closer to AFC’s Top Seed
In a game that felt more like a playoff dress rehearsal than a late-December matchup between two teams on very different trajectories, the Denver Broncos leaned on patience, precision, and a little bit of trickery to grind out a 20-13 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night.
The win marked Denver’s 13th of the season - the first team in the NFL to hit that number in 2025 - and it came in a fashion that’s become all too familiar. This was the Broncos’ 11th victory by eight points or fewer, a testament to their ability to win tight, physical games. And once again, they had to do it the hard way.
Bo Nix Shows Poise in the Pocket
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix didn’t light up the stat sheet, but he didn’t need to. What he did do was command the offense with a veteran’s calm, especially when it mattered most.
Nix finished 26-of-38 for 182 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, adding 42 rushing yards and a score on the ground. But the real story was how he managed the game against a Kansas City defense that made it clear from the jump: big plays weren’t going to be an option.
“They put a lid on everything,” Nix said postgame. “It was one of those games where you knew you weren’t going to throw for a ton of yards. You just had to be patient, take what they gave you, and keep moving the sticks.”
That patience paid off in the second half. Twice, the Broncos put together long, deliberate touchdown drives - both 14-play marathons that chewed up more than half the second-half clock. Each drive included a critical fourth-down conversion, and each ended in the end zone.
Key Moments That Tilted the Game
The turning point came late in the fourth quarter. After Kansas City tied the game 13-13 with just over eight minutes remaining, Nix led the Broncos on a 65-yard drive that ate up 6:18 of game time. On fourth-and-2 at the Chiefs’ 9-yard line, Denver lined up in a formation they hadn’t shown before - something head coach Sean Payton later called “Harrisburg,” a variation of a look they call “Pittsburgh.”
The goal wasn’t to snap the ball. It was to draw the defense offside.
And it worked. Kansas City jumped, giving Denver a fresh set of downs.
One play later, Nix found running back RJ Harvey for a 1-yard touchdown to give the Broncos a 20-13 lead with 1:45 left.
That four-point swing proved massive. Instead of settling for a field goal and a three-point lead, the Broncos forced Kansas City into a must-score situation. The Chiefs drove to the Denver 21-yard line in the final seconds but came up empty on fourth down with an incompletion into the end zone.
Nix’s Best Drive Showed His Growth
Earlier in the second half, with Denver trailing 10-6, Nix orchestrated a 72-yard touchdown drive that showcased his growing command of the offense. He went 6-for-6 passing for 60 yards on the possession, including a key 23-yard strike to Courtland Sutton and a 17-yard dart to Lil’Jordan Humphrey on third-and-10.
On fourth-and-1 at the Chiefs’ 10-yard line, Nix powered forward for the conversion, then followed it up with a 9-yard touchdown run on the very next play. It was a sequence that showed both his decision-making and his ability to make plays with his legs when the defense dropped into soft zones.
“He came up with some really big plays,” Payton said. “Even in zone coverage, there were some 8-yard scrambles that were huge for us.”
Oladokun’s First Start Shows Grit, But Chiefs Fall Short
On the other side, Kansas City rolled out Chris Oladokun for his first NFL start. The former Samford quarterback, elevated after season-ending injuries to Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew, showed flashes of promise but was clearly limited by a conservative game plan and a tough Denver defense.
Oladokun completed 13-of-22 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown - a short pass to running back Brashard Smith that gave the Chiefs a 7-3 lead in the second quarter. He also added 11 yards rushing on two carries. For a player who spent most of his career on the practice squad, it was a respectable debut under difficult circumstances.
But the Chiefs offense, missing its usual rhythm and explosiveness, couldn’t do enough to keep pace with Denver’s methodical attack.
Broncos Control Their Destiny
With the win, the Broncos not only snapped a nine-game losing streak at Arrowhead Stadium, they also moved a half-game ahead of the New England Patriots for the top spot in the AFC. One more win - a Week 18 showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers - and Denver secures the No. 1 seed, a first-round bye, and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Nix knows what’s at stake.
“It’s playoff time,” he said. “It’s going to be a great atmosphere. I haven’t beaten them yet, so it’s going to be a good nine days of preparation, and then on the 10th day, it’s all you’ve got for four quarters - or however long it takes.”
The Broncos have been winning close all season. Now, with the postseason looming, they’re proving they can win with poise, patience, and just enough punch. And if Thursday night was any indication, they’re not just a feel-good story - they’re a legitimate contender.