Broncos Play Comeback Kings Again In 28-24 Thriller Win Over Chiefs

The Denver Broncos used their comeback magic to overcome a big fourth-quarter deficit against the Kansas City Chiefs, with the pivotal plays being a huge catch-and-run by rookie running back Jonah Coleman and a goal-line stand to deny a Chiefs touchdown that would have won the game. 

This was a bruising, back-and forth game from start to finish. The Chiefs started by getting touchdowns while the Broncos got a pair of field goals with Denver scoring first on a 39-yard field goal from Wil Lutz. Kansas City countered with a scoring drive for a touchdown as Rashee Rice caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes. 

The Broncos then drew closer after another drive, as quarterback Bo Nix hit Courtland Sutton wiht a 23-yard strike to set up a 45-yard field goal from Wil Lutz. 

That made it 7-6, but the Chiefs responded from an unexpected big play from rookie running back Emmett Johnson, who took a soft toss over coverage from Mahomes and ran 73 yards for a score to make it 14-6. 

The Broncos finally found the end zone, though, as Nix led a 95-yard drive that culminated in a one-yard throw to Jaylen Waddle on a fourth-down play. 

Kansas City continued the back-and forth pattern, though, as Johnson sparked another score with a 33-yard catch-and-run, and the Chiefs got slumping kicker Harrison Butker into the scoring equation with a 45-yard field goal to make the score 17-13 at halftime. 

The Chiefs extended their lead in the third quarter with a touchdown drive to open the scoring in the second half, as Mahomes led a 63-yard drive over 11 plays, with the money throw being a four-yard touchdown pass to tight end Noah Gray to make it 24-13.

The Broncos offense went dormant again in the third, as the Broncos could only manage three three-and-outs without a first down. 

But Nix finally got untracked in the fourth quarter as he led a drive that Denver had to have. The touchdown came via a short throw from the two-yard line as Nix rolled out and hit tight end Nate Adkins after fellow tight end Adam Trautman made a big receiving play to spark the drive and tighten the score to 24–21 as the Broncos added a two-point conversion throw to Waddle. 

Nix turned to Coleman for the key play on the final drive after a Butker missed field goal from 54 yards out, as his 51-yard catch-and-run gave Denver the ball deep in KC territory. Coleman then ran it in from five yards out to give Denver a 28-24 lead, which set the stage for what looked like a typical Mahomes’ late game-winning drive. 

But the Broncos defense rose up at the end with a goal line stand, and defensive end Malcolm Roach sacked Mahomes on fourth-and-goal to give Denver the win. The victory gave the Broncos the AFC West lead at 6-2, while Kansas City fell to 5-2 after their second straight loss.