Broncos take commanding lead in AFC West with 22-19 win over Chiefs

The  Denver Broncos upset the  Kansas City Chiefs with a 22-19 victory in Week 11 of the 2025 NFL season at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on Sunday afternoon. Broncos (9-2) now have a big cushion over the Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) and Chiefs (5-5) in the AFC West going into their bye week.

Denver marched down to KC's five-yard line on the game's opening drive before settling for a 29-yard Wil Lutz field goal to take a 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter. The Chiefs then punted on their ensuing drive and receiver Marvin Mims returned it 70 yards to set the Broncos up with good field position. Denver then got to the five-yard line again before settling for another short Lutz field goal to make it 6-0.

Aided by a 40-yard Riley Moss pass interference penalty, the Chiefs got down to Denver's 13-yard line on their ensuing drive before settling for a 31-yard Harrison Butker field goal to cut the deficit to 6-3 late in the first quarter. After a Broncos punt, KC added another field goal to tie the game at 6-6, a score that held going into halftime.

In the third quarter, Denver cornerback Jahdae Barron had a 41-yard pick-six, but the takeaway was negated by an illegal contact penalty called on Moss (a foul that was questioned by CBS commentator Tony Romo ). Eight plays later, Mahomes was intercepted by Ja'Quan McMillian:

The Broncos went 89 yards after that takeaway and Jaleel McLaughlin scored on a four-yard touchdown run to give Denver a 13-6 lead with 4:03 remaining in the third quarter.

KC matched that score with a 75-yard drive that ended with a two-yard Kareem Hunt touchdown run that tied the game at 13-13 late in the third quarter. The Broncos later kicked a 38-yard field goal on their next drive to retake a 16-13 lead early in the fourth quarter.

After another DPI call on Moss, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to tight end Travis Kelce to make it 19-16. KC's ensuing PAT attempt was blocked by Frank Crum , keeping it a three-point game. On the next drive, Denver added a 54-yard field goal to tie the game at 19-19 with 4:10 remaining in the game.

Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian sacked Mahomes on third down on the Chiefs' ensuing drive. McMillian's second sack of the game came at a crucial moment and KC punted the ball back to Denver, who took over with just under three minutes remaining. Nix then led a 10-play, 68-yard drive that set up a 35-yard Lutz field goal to seal a 22-19 win.

After hosting the Chiefs, up next on Denver's schedule is a bye in Week 12, followed by a road game against the Washington Commanders in Week 13 on Sunday, Nov. 30.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL news: Broncos take big lead in AFC West with 22-19 win over Chiefs