Broncos Rally Past Chiefs With Late Surge to Top AFC West

The Denver Broncos came from behind to beat the Kansas City Chiefs, overturning a 24-13 deficit in the third quarter with 15 unanswered points in the fourth, then held on with a goal-line stand in the closing seconds, Yahoo Sports reported.

The win moved Denver to 6-2 on the season, placing them as the second seed in the AFC and back on top of the AFC West.

Sky Sports' NFL panel used the result to examine the opposite question facing Kansas City, discussing in a video segment whether Patrick Mahomes' side can recover from the defeat.

Quarterback Bo Nix directed the decisive fourth-quarter comeback, though his overall performance included stretches of inconsistent play and deflected passes earlier in the game. Nix had faced public criticism before the win, including a retired quarterback describing his play as disrespectful and media suggestions he could be benched, Yahoo Sports noted. The victory gave Nix another head-to-head win over Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Running back Jonah Coleman emerged as the game's key offensive weapon after JK Dobbins opened the match. Coleman played 66% of the offensive snaps, most of them after half-time, and produced more than 100 yards from scrimmage. His highlight was a catch-and-run of more than 50 yards that set up the go-ahead touchdown.

Dobbins carried seven times for 13 yards and barely featured again after an eight-yard loss on one run. Yahoo Sports noted his reduced role comes amid speculation that Denver could pursue a trade for a running back such as Jonathan Taylor or Breece Hall.

In the passing game, Jaylen Waddle caught a touchdown from Nix and converted a two-point conversion that proved important in the finish, though his snap count dipped slightly, which Yahoo Sports attributed to a lingering chest and shoulder issue. Courtland Sutton added four catches for 53 yards from four targets, including a reception off a deflection, and drew defensive attention on both of Denver's touchdown passes.

Marvin Mims Jr. played 18 offensive snaps, finishing with two catches for ten yards and two rushes for 19 yards, while also contributing in the return game. Yahoo Sports noted his workload could be affected once Pat Bryant becomes eligible to return. Troy Franklin, despite playing 71% of the offensive snaps, was targeted only twice and finished with one catch for three yards.

The victory extended a pattern of late comebacks for Denver this season in a game that carried significant weight for the AFC West standings, with a loss threatening to leave the Broncos trailing Kansas City rather than leading the division.

Attention now turns to how Kansas City respond after the setback, the subject Sky Sports' panel raised in assessing the Chiefs' path forward following the loss.