Broncos overcome 11-point deficit to beat Chiefs 28-24

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix led a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 28-24 on Sunday. The Broncos trailed by 11 points late in the game but scored 14 unanswered points to seize first place in the AFC West. This victory marks Denver's fourth consecutive win, improving their record to 6-2 after a difficult start to the season.

Nix's performance shifted dramatically in the final period. Entering the fourth quarter, he had completed 15 of 26 passes for 153 yards. In the final 15 minutes, he completed five of six passes for 84 yards. Two quick throws, one to Nate Adkins for a touchdown and another to Jonah Coleman, broke the stalemate. Since joining the league in 2024, Nix has recorded 15 game-winning drives and 12 fourth-quarter comebacks, the most for any quarterback in their first three seasons.

Denver's defense played a pivotal role in stopping the Chiefs' offense. Running back Kenneth Walker III gained 173 yards in Week 1, but he managed only 69 yards in Sunday's game. His average yards per carry after contact dropped from 7.8 in the opener to 2.1 this week. Although Denver still missed 16 tackles, the unit limited Walker's effectiveness and prevented Kansas City from sustaining long drives.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid faced scrutiny over a late-game decision. With under three minutes remaining and a three-point lead, the team faced fourth and eight from the Denver 36-yard line. Reid chose to kick a field goal, which Harrison Butker missed wide right. Butker is now 2 for 7 on field goal attempts from 50 yards or more this season. Mahomes was 3 for 6 converting fourth downs of 8 to 12 yards in his career, a higher success rate than Butker's current long-distance accuracy.

Patrick Mahomes threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns on 30 of 41 completions. His 0.16 expected points added per dropback was his best mark since Week 3. However, the Chiefs' receiving corps struggled to move the ball downfield. Running back Emmett Johnson led the team with five catches for 128 yards. Kansas City has not recorded a completion of 20 yards or more in its last three games, a streak tied for the longest of Mahomes' career.

Both teams relied heavily on young running backs. Jonah Coleman led the Broncos with 11 carries for 41 yards and added 63 receiving yards. He scored the game-winning touchdown. For Kansas City, Emmett Johnson contributed 15 rushing yards and a 44-yard kick return in addition to his receiving production. These mid-round draft picks are emerging as primary playmakers for their respective offenses.

The result erased the head-to-head advantage the Chiefs held entering the game. Denver has already faced five of the division's toughest opponents, including the Chiefs twice, the Jaguars, the Rams, the 49ers, and the Seahawks. The win solidifies the Broncos' position at the top of the AFC West with two weeks remaining in the month of October.