Broncos Edge Chiefs in Gritty Win Behind Bo Nix’s Late Heroics
With just over eight minutes left on the clock, Harrison Butker drilled a 47-yard field goal to knot things up at 13 apiece. At that point, it felt like momentum might be tilting Kansas City’s way.
But Denver didn’t flinch. In fact, this is exactly where the Broncos have thrived all season - tight games, fourth quarters, and Bo Nix with the ball in his hands.
Thursday night was no different. The Broncos leaned into their late-game identity once again, holding off a scrappy Chiefs squad for a 20-13 win on the road.
It was Denver’s 11th win in a one-score game this season - now 11-2 in such contests - and their 13th overall, pushing them to 13-3 on the year. The Chiefs, meanwhile, dropped to 6-10 in a season that’s veered far from their usual standards.
Nix Delivers - Again
Bo Nix continues to look like a quarterback who’s been here before - even if this is just his rookie season. Thursday marked his seventh game-winning drive of the year, and this one was all about poise and precision in crunch time.
With the game tied and the Broncos facing a fourth-and-2 at the Chiefs' 9-yard line at the two-minute warning, Kansas City looked like they might force a field goal. But a costly offsides penalty by Chris Jones - the Chiefs’ first flag of the night - gave Denver a fresh set of downs. That mistake opened the door, and Nix walked right through it.
Two plays later, he found running back RJ Harvey for a 1-yard touchdown pass with 1:45 left. It was a textbook execution of situational football - burn the clock, force the defense to burn timeouts, and finish with six.
Nix finished the night 26-of-38 for 182 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also added 42 yards and a rushing score on the ground. It wasn’t flashy, but it was efficient and, more importantly, clutch.
Denver’s Defense Clamps Down
While Nix made the late-game plays, it was the Broncos’ defense that set the tone all night. They held Kansas City to just 139 total yards - a staggering stat no matter who's under center. The Chiefs simply couldn’t get anything going offensively, especially with Patrick Mahomes sidelined and watching from a suite.
Third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun got the call, and to his credit, he showed some fight late. After Harvey’s go-ahead touchdown, Oladokun led Kansas City on a 44-yard drive that reached the Denver 21.
But the drive stalled in the red zone. On fourth down with 14 seconds left, Oladokun’s final shot to Hollywood Brown sailed high and incomplete, sealing the win for Denver.
Oladokun ended the night 13-of-22 for 66 yards and a touchdown - a short 1-yard toss to Brashard Smith. But outside of that, the Chiefs offense struggled to find rhythm or space.
Travis Kelce, potentially playing his final home game, was limited to five catches for 36 yards. Kareem Hunt chipped in with 38 yards on seven carries, but nothing came easy.
Broncos Lean on Balance
Denver didn’t light up the scoreboard, but they controlled the tempo and won the physical battle. They outgained the Chiefs 303 to 139, dominated time of possession, and leaned on a balanced attack.
RJ Harvey was a key piece, contributing in both phases. He ran 14 times for 43 yards and caught five passes for 33 yards, including the game-winner. Courtland Sutton added four catches for 40 yards, continuing his steady presence in the passing game.
This win wasn’t about fireworks - it was about execution, discipline, and knowing how to close. And that’s become Denver’s calling card.
What It Means
The Broncos are now 13-3 and looking every bit like a team built for January. They’ve shown they can win ugly, win late, and win when the pressure’s on.
For a rookie quarterback to have seven game-winning drives in one season? That’s not just impressive - it’s rare.
As for the Chiefs, this season has been a grind. With Mahomes out, the offense just hasn’t had the same bite.
But even in a down year, they were still within one throw of tying the game in the final seconds. That says something about the culture - even if the results haven’t matched the expectations.
But make no mistake: Thursday night belonged to Denver. And if Bo Nix keeps stacking performances like this, the Broncos are going to be a tough out for anyone come playoff time.