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The Denver Broncos converted on third down twice and set up Will Lutz for the game-winning 35-yard field goal to erase any lingering demons that have plagued them against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Denver won the game 22-19.
The Broncos’ defense was as good as ever, keeping Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs offense in check. Despite a couple of penalties against defensive back Riley Moss, it was Ja’Quan McMillian who was the thorn in the Chiefs’ side.
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Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian, right, sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Denver. (Jack Dempsey/AP Photo)
He had an interception on Mahomes in the third quarter and sacked him with less than four minutes left in the game. He had six tackles, two sacks and two pass breakups in the win.
Justin Strnad led the Broncos with 10 tackles. DJ Jones had three tackles, including a sack. Kansas City was held to 311 yards of total offense on 62 total plays. Kansas City had 19 first downs but struggled in the red zone, going 1-for-4.
Bo Nix found Troy Franklin on third down for 32 yards, helping Lutz to an easy field goal. Nix was 24-of-37 with 295 passing yards. Jaleel McLaughlin had the lone touchdown for the Broncos. He ran it into the end zone in the third quarter.
Franklin led the Broncos with four catches for 84 yards.
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Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin celebrates after scoring in the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Denver. (Jack Dempsey/AP Photo)
Denver improved to 9-2 with the win and is in complete control of the AFC West following the Los Angeles Chargers’ loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road. Denver has now won three of its last four against Kansas City after previously losing 16 games in a row.
If the Broncos’ luck holds, Denver will win the AFC West for the first time since the 2015 season. That season, the Broncos’ defense helped the team to a Super Bowl victory. The Broncos have wins over last year’s Super Bowl game. They beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5.
Kansas City’s playoff picture gets more complicated.
The Chiefs fall to 5-5 and are out of the playoffs altogether. They would clean out their lockers on Monday if the season ended after this game.
Kansas City is ninth, one game behind the Jaguars in the win column. However, the Houston Texans sit between both teams because the Texans have a tiebreaker over the Chiefs. Houston has the better winning percentage in conference games.
Denver Broncos place kicker Wil Lutz (3) celebrates after making a 35-yard field goal to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Denver. (Jack Dempsey/AP Photo)
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The Chiefs’ streak of eight consecutive AFC championships hangs in the balance.
On Sunday, Mahomes was 29-of-45 with a touchdown pass and an interception. The touchdown went to Travis Kelce, who had nine catches for 91 yards and a touchdown.
