Final Play Sack Gives Broncos Lead in AFC West

Denver fans who traveled to Kansas City on Sunday watched their team fall behind by 11 points before seeing a comeback that ended with a sack on the final play. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 28-24 to move into first place in the AFC West.

The shift in momentum began after Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker missed a 54-yard field goal attempt in steady rain. That miss followed a sack by Alex Singleton that pushed the ball back six yards. Denver then used two plays and 35 seconds to take the lead. Bo Nix threw a 51-yard pass to Jonah Coleman, who scored from the five-yard line to put Denver ahead 28-24.

The Broncos had trailed 24-13 in the third quarter. Nix changed the game by driving the team into scoring position twice in the final period. He threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Nate Adkins and completed a two-point conversion to Jaylen Waddle. Those plays brought Denver within three points before the final drive.

Kansas City had opportunities to close the game. Kenneth Walker III ran for 69 yards on 21 carries. A 32-yard reception by Travis Kelce helped move the ball inside the Denver five-yard line with less than a minute remaining. Walker carried the ball to the one-yard line on first down. Mahomes threw an incomplete pass on second down. Walker was stopped short on third down. On fourth down, Malcolm Roach sacked Mahomes to end the game.

Bo Nix finished the game 20 for 32 for 222 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Patrick Mahomes threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns on 30 of 41 attempts. This marked the second straight game Mahomes did not throw a touchdown pass until the third quarter. He had been held without a touchdown pass in consecutive games for the first time in his career before connecting with Noah Gray.

The Chiefs built their lead with three touchdowns. Rashee Rice returned from a two-game absence to catch an 11-yard pass from Mahomes in the first quarter. Emmett Johnson caught a 73-yard pass in the second quarter. Johnson caught the ball near his own 40-yard line and ran untouched to the end zone. That play gave Kansas City a 14-6 lead. Noah Gray caught a four-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to extend the lead to 24-13.

Denver faced challenges on special teams and defense. Wil Lutz kicked field goals of 39 and 45 yards. The longer attempt came after Denver failed to convert a third-and-three play. The Broncos went three-and-out on all three drives in the third quarter.

Injuries affected both rosters. Chiefs defensive end Peter Woods left in the first quarter with a neck injury. Cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Mansoor Delane were out with knee and shoulder issues, respectively. For Denver, cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine left with an ankle injury in the second quarter. Safety Brandon Jones was ruled out at halftime with a hamstring problem. Running back RJ Harvey was placed on short-term injured reserve after a knee injury in practice.

The Chiefs will host the New York Jets next Sunday. The Broncos will travel to play the Carolina Panthers next week.