Broncos deny Chiefs late to win 28-24 and take AFC West lead
Denver rallied from a 24-13 fourth-quarter deficit, giving Sean Payton his 200th career victory, including postseason games.
Denver’s defense turned away Kansas City on four attempts near the goal line to secure a 28-24 victory on November 1. The Broncos moved atop the AFC West with a 6-2 record, while the Chiefs dropped to 5-2 after losing for the second straight game.
The result gave Sean Payton his 200th career win, counting the postseason, and marked Denver’s fourth comeback victory of the season. Trailing 24-13 in the fourth quarter, the Broncos eventually took their first lead with 1:56 remaining.
Kansas City missed an opportunity to extend its advantage when Harrison Butker sent a 54-yard field-goal attempt wide right with 2:31 left. Denver then covered 56 yards in two plays over 35 seconds: Jonah Coleman turned a reception into a 51-yard gain, then ran for a 5-yard touchdown.
Emmett Johnson’s 44-yard kickoff return and a 32-yard completion from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce helped Kansas City reach scoring range. With 35 seconds remaining, the Chiefs had first-and-goal at Denver’s 4. Kenneth Walker gained 3 yards before Patrick Surtain tackled him, Mahomes threw an incompletion, and JL Skinner stopped Walker without a gain. A false start preceded the final snap, when Malcolm Roach sacked Mahomes.
Kansas City finished ahead in total yardage, 399 to 294. Mahomes completed 30-of-41 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns, with Johnson catching five passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. Denver quarterback Bo Nix finished 20-of-32 for 222 yards and two touchdowns.
