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Chiefs’ chances at 10th straight AFC West title tumble after Broncos loss

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The Kansas City Chiefs are losing their longtime vice grip on the AFC West. Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos secured a walk-off victory, defeating the Chiefs 22-19 on Sunday. This loss has led to a new set of statistics that jeopardize Kansas City’s bid for a 10th straight division crown.

According to Next Gen Stats released after Denver’s win, the Broncos now hold a 74% chance of winning the division. Meanwhile, the Chiefs, who currently sit at 5-5, have seen their odds plummet to a lowly 10%. Only the Las Vegas Raiders have a lower chance of claiming the division title than Kansas City. Even the Los Angeles Chargers, with a 16% probability, are ahead of the Chiefs in the race.

Kansas City entered the 2025 season aiming for an unprecedented 10th straight AFC West crown, which would have tied them with the New England Patriots’ streak from 2009-2018 (plus the Patriots’ 2019 title). However, that milestone is now slowly slipping away.

So how did things unravel for the Chiefs against the Broncos?

Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and the Chiefs started the fourth quarter with promise. Mahomes orchestrated a six-play, 73-yard drive that culminated in a 21-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce. In doing so, Kelce broke a Chiefs record by scoring his 84th career touchdown.

Despite that moment, Kansas City’s offense stalled afterward. Denver forced two consecutive punts on the Chiefs’ next two drives. Then, Bo Nix led the Broncos on a 10-play drive that ended the game. Key completions of 20 and 32 yards— the latter caught by Troy Franklin— helped Denver clinch the win.

The Broncos have not won the AFC West since before the Mahomes era began. Now, Denver looks poised to end their 10-year title drought, while simultaneously snapping Kansas City’s division reign.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-chances-at-10th-straight-afc-west-title-tumble-after-broncos-loss

Broncos beat Chiefs 22-19 on Lutz’s last-second field goal, extending win streak to 8 games

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DENVER (AP) — Wil Lutz kicked five field goals, including a 35-yard game-winner as time expired Sunday, pushing the Denver Broncos past the Kansas City Chiefs 22-19 for their eighth straight victory.

The Broncos (9-2) all but buried the Chiefs (5-5) in the AFC West, a division Kansas City has won every year since 2016. Chiefs coach Andy Reid fell to 27-5 following a bye week, counting the playoffs and his time with Philadelphia.

Bo Nix set up the game-winning kick with a 32-yard pass to Troy Franklin that got Denver to the Kansas City 15 with under a minute remaining. Patrick Mahomes gave Kansas City its only lead on a 21-yard touchdown toss to Travis Kelce — the veteran tight end’s 84th career TD, one more than previous Chiefs franchise record-holder Priest Holmes.

That touchdown put the Chiefs up 19-16, but Harrison Butker’s extra point was blocked by Frank Crum. The Broncos tied it at 19-all on Lutz’s 54-yarder with 4:10 remaining.

Denver’s defense forced Kansas City to go three-and-out when Ja’Quan McMillian sacked Mahomes on third-and-10 from the Chiefs’ 36. The Broncos then chewed up the final 2:59 by driving 58 yards in 10 plays.

The Broncos won their 11th straight game at Empower Field, where they haven’t lost since October 2024.

Kelce’s touchdown followed a 46-yard pass-interference flag at the Denver 29 on cornerback Riley Moss on an underthrown pass from Mahomes to Hollywood Brown. That came on third-and-19 from the Kansas City 29.

Denver’s eight-game winning streak is their longest since 2012, when Peyton Manning led the Broncos to 11 consecutive victories. As a result, the Chiefs’ nine-year reign atop the AFC West is now in jeopardy.

Jaleel McLaughlin, playing in place of injured starter J.K. Dobbins—who underwent season-ending foot surgery last week—bullied his way in from 4 yards out to break a 6-6 tie in the third quarter.

The Chiefs seized momentum, however, when Mahomes found Tyquan Thornton for a 61-yard gain to the Denver 11. That set up Kareem Hunt’s 2-yard run that tied the game at 13. It was Kansas City’s first touchdown at Empower Field in 11 quarters.

Both offenses struggled to move the ball against stingy defenses, and the first half featured four short field goals, ending in a 6-6 tie.

### Injuries

– **Chiefs:** LG Kingsley Suamataia left in the third quarter to be checked for a concussion.
– **Broncos:** Rookie WR Pat Bryant was evaluated for a concussion after his 48-yard catch with 26 seconds left in the third quarter.

The Broncos were without several starters, including CB Pat Surtain II (pectoral), ILB Alex Singleton (undergoing treatment for testicular cancer), and J.K. Dobbins (left foot), who will miss the rest of the regular season.

### Up Next

– **Chiefs:** Visit the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday.
– **Broncos:** After a bye week, visit the Washington Commanders on Nov. 30.

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AP NFL
https://mymotherlode.com/sports/nfl-general-news/10194909/broncos-beat-chiefs-22-19-on-lutzs-last-second-field-goal-extending-win-streak-to-8-games.html