The Denver Broncos narrowly defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20-13 on Christmas night, helping Denver retain the No. 1 seed in the American Football Conference (AFC) playoff race. The win extended the Broncos’ strong season record and kept their chances of an AFC West title alive as the regular season heads toward its final games.

Key game moments

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix delivered a clutch performance under pressure. He completed 26 of 38 passes for 182 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 42 yards, showing his dual-threat ability. Near the end of the fourth quarter, Nix connected with RJ Harvey on a 1-yard touchdown pass with just 1:45 remaining, sealing the victory.

Denver controlled much of the game’s tempo. The Broncos held the ball for more than 39 minutes, while limiting Kansas City to just 139 total yards on offense. This strong possession game helped keep the Chiefs’ offense off the field and reduced their scoring chances.

Broncos maintain playoff lead

With the win, Denver improved to 13-3 on the season and remained ahead of the New England Patriots (12-3) for the AFC’s top slot. The Broncos also maintained their tiebreaker edge, which could prove significant if the teams finish with identical records.

Denver can clinch its first AFC West title since 2015 if the Los Angeles Chargers lose to the Houston Texans in their next game. This possibility adds another layer of excitement as the playoff picture continues to take shape.

Chiefs’ offense struggles

Kansas City’s offense had a challenging night. With both Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew sidelined by injuries, the Chiefs started Chris Oladokun at quarterback. Oladokun completed 13 of 22 passes for 66 yards and one touchdown, but the offense could not generate sustained drives.

Veteran tight end Travis Kelce, who may have played his final home game at Arrowhead Stadium, caught five passes for 36 yards. Despite his efforts, the Chiefs failed to score enough points to stay competitive.

Other NFL action

The NFL roundup also highlighted several other games on Christmas night:

• Vikings 23, Lions 10: Jordan Addison broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run, helping Minnesota win its fourth straight game. The loss eliminated Detroit from playoff contention and secured a postseason spot for the Green Bay Packers.
• Cowboys 30, Commanders 23: Dak Prescott threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns to lift Dallas to victory and end a three-game skid. Meanwhile, Malik Davis rushed for 103 yards.

What this means going forward

As the regular season winds down, Denver’s win strengthens its position as a top contender in the AFC. The ability to win close games, especially against division rivals like the Chiefs, shows the Broncos’ resilience and team depth.

For Kansas City, this loss marks a step back in a difficult season. Without their top quarterbacks, the Chiefs have struggled to maintain offensive consistency. They now look toward future adjustments as the offseason approaches.