By Aric DiLalla – DenverBroncos.com
DENVER — The Broncos knew the stakes, and they delivered.
In a critical AFC West matchup, the Broncos earned another come-from-behind win to knock off the Chiefs 22-19 and solidify their division lead.
The Broncos’ defense held Patrick Mahomes in check, while Bo Nix led a pair of fourth-quarter field-goal drives to help Denver earn a season-defining win.
Denver, which secured its seventh win in nine one-score games this season, pulled out a tight matchup in which neither team led by more than seven points.
As they enter their bye week, the Broncos (9-2) now lead the Chargers by two games and the Chiefs by 3.5 games. According to The Athletic, Denver’s division odds sit at 75 percent following Sunday’s action.
“Look, I’d be lying right to everyone if I didn’t say it was a big win,” Head Coach Sean Payton said.
These were the players and plays that made the difference in the Broncos’ Week 11 win over the Chiefs.
GAME-CHANGING MOMENT
In a three-point win that wasn’t decided until the final moments, there’s no shortage of options for the game-changing moment. A 70-yard Marvin Mims Jr. punt return. A Ja’Quan McMillian interception that wiped points off the board for the Chiefs. Any of Bo Nix’s key throws on the last drive of the game, including a 20-yarder to Courtland Sutton on third-and-15 and the 32-yarder to Troy Franklin to set up the game-winning field goal. We’re going to give the nod, though, to an unsung hero. After the Chiefs took the lead via a Travis Kelce touchdown, offensive tackle Frank Crum blocked the ensuing extra point. The play kept the Chiefs’ lead at three points and completely changed the dynamic of the game. If the kick soared through the uprights, Denver would’ve have needed to play for a touchdown. Instead, the Broncos were able to kick a 54-yard field goal to tie the game and play out the rest of the fourth quarter without trailing. It’s entirely possible even a single additional point could have changed the entire complexion of the final minutes. Instead, a big-time special teams play put the Broncos in position to tie the game — and then win it.
DEFINING STATISTIC
1-of-4.
Entering the game, the red-zone numbers stood out as a defining category. The Broncos entered with the top-ranked red-zone defense, while the Chiefs held the third-ranked red-zone offense. On Sunday, the Broncos got the better of the Chiefs in that category. Kansas City scored a touchdown on just one of its four red-zone possessions, and Mahomes threw an interception on one of the opportunities. Denver allowed just one touchdown and has now given up touchdowns on just two of 13 possessions in the last four games against Mahomes. The showing was particularly important given that Denver did not score touchdowns on either of its first two red-zone possessions. With a strong defensive performance, the Broncos kept the game in striking distance and then pulled out a one-score win.
MEMORABLE HIGHLIGHT
Another candidate for the game-changing moment, Ja’Quan McMillian’s fourth-quarter sack of Mahomes was a heck of a play. McMillian timed his jump perfectly and exploded off the line of scrimmage toward Mahomes. The defensive back leaped into the air and pulled Mahomes down to record his second sack of the day and force a second-consecutive three-and-out.
BOX-SCORE STANDOUTS
Wil Lutz hit all five of his field goals, including a 54-yarder to tie the score in the fourth quarter.
Bo Nix made a series of gutsy throws and recorded his fifth game-winning drive of the season, which is tied for the most in the NFL.
Pat Bryant recorded a career-high 82 yards, including a 48-yard catch that marked the longest reception of his young career.
Ja’Quan McMillian became the first cornerback in franchise history to record two sacks and an interception in a game.
Marvin Mims Jr. returned and posted punt returns of 70 and 24 yards to set up a pair of field-goal drives for Denver.
Troy Franklin led all Broncos receivers with 84 yards, including the 32-yard catch to set up the game-winning field goal.
