Broncos Edge Chiefs 28-24, Take AFC West Lead

The Denver Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 28-24 on Sunday night, moving into first place in the AFC West with a 6-2 record. Kansas City fell to 5-2 and lost its second consecutive game.

Denver trailed 24-13 early in the fourth quarter before mounting a comeback. Bo Nix threw a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Nate Adkins and completed a two-point conversion to Jaylen Waddle, cutting the deficit to 24-21.

“Obviously a big win, and I'm proud of the grit.”

Harrison Butker missed a 54-yard field goal wide right with about two and a half minutes remaining, one play after Alex Singleton sacked Mahomes for a six-yard loss. Denver then needed only two plays and 35 seconds to take the lead.

Nix connected with rookie running back Jonah Coleman for a 51-yard gain on first down. Coleman scored on a five-yard touchdown run on the next snap.

Kansas City drove inside the Denver five-yard line with 35 seconds left, aided by a 44-yard kickoff return from Emmett Johnson and a 32-yard catch by Travis Kelce. Patrick Surtain II stopped Kenneth Walker III at the one-yard line.

On fourth-and-goal from the one, Malcolm Roach sacked Patrick Mahomes to end the game. Denver improved to 15-0 in one-score games over the last two seasons, while Mahomes dropped to 80-3 when leading by double digits in the fourth quarter.

Denver coach Sean Payton earned his 200th career victory and called it a big win, praising his team's grit. The Broncos now hold a half-game lead over Kansas City near the midpoint of the season.