Kansas City Chiefs' season finale ended with a stunning 38-0 shutout against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, marking the first time the Chiefs have failed to score since 2012 and sealing their long-time rival's return to the playoffs after eight years. The game, played at Empower Field at Mile High, placed the Broncos firmly back on the playoff map, making them the final team to secure the seventh seed in the AFC playoffs.
The matchup had little meaning for the Chiefs (15-2), who had already clinched the top seed and held a first-round bye for the playoffs. Head coach Andy Reid decided to rest key players including quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and defensive stars Chris Jones and Trent McDuffie. Instead, they relied on backup quarterback Carson Wentz, who struggled significantly, failing to match the intensity and momentum the Broncos brought to the game.
Wentz completed just 10 of 17 passes for 98 yards and was sacked four times, as the proficient Broncos defense—ranked top for pass rush—demolished Kansas City's offensive line. Meanwhile, Bronx rookie quarterback Bo Nix delivered a historic performance, throwing four touchdown passes and completing 26 of 29 passes for 321 yards, setting franchise records for his consecutive completions and touchdown passes for a rookie. His stellar showing was pivotal for the Broncos (10-7), who snapped their two-game losing streak and put to rest nearly nine years of playoff frustrations since they last advanced following the 2015 Super Bowl victory.
Denver's strong offense didn’t waste time capitalizing on the Chiefs' defensive shortcomings, scoring early and capping the first half with a 24-0 lead. Nix connected with players like Marvin Mims and Courtland Sutton, keeping Chiefs defenders off balance. His second touchdown pass, albeit somewhat lucky, ricocheted off cornerbacks Nazeeh Johnson and Keith Taylor before landing with Devaughn Vele just before going out of bounds, showcasing the unpredictability and aggression of the Broncos' game plan.
The Broncos, needing to win to secure their playoff position, came out aggressive, knowing full well their postseason hopes rested on this game. The victory over Kansas City not only reestablished their presence but also extinguished any remaining hopes for the Bengals, who were actively rooting for the Chiefs to win. Cincinnati, after their own victorious match against the Steelers, needed the Broncos to lose to keep their playoff hopes alive, but the stark reality of Sunday’s game left them watching the postseason from home.
The television viewing experience similarly reflected the unexpectedly lopsided showdown. CBS opted to pull coverage of the Chiefs-Broncos game midway through the third quarter, switching their broadcast to the Chargers-Raiders matchup. NFL fans quickly took to social media, noting the peculiar situation as the network switched to "a more competitive game"—a stark commentary on the unexpected performance of the Chiefs who, as defending champions, typically hold the league’s commanding viewership.
With this loss, the Chiefs also saw their six-game winning streak come to an abrupt end. Critics were quick to highlight the potential risks associated with sitting star players for extended periods, particularly with so much time off before their next matchup. The Chiefs will not play again until January 18 or 19, meaning Mahomes and other key players will have at least 24 days without live action going against them.
While sitting star players is standard procedure heading to the playoffs, it brings up many questions about readiness and momentum as they face the Buffalo Bills—in what will be another playoff rematch for the teams vying for supremacy.
Reflecting on the Chiefs' performance, observers pointed out the vast opportunities for growth among the backup players. Still, concern looms over what lies ahead for Kansas City. Harrison Butker struggled as he missed his first-ever chip shot at the Empower Field, complicting efforts to improve kicking consistency. The Chiefs' special teams have been shaky at times, and during this loss, the missed kicks only added salt to the wound.
The Broncos will head to Buffalo for their wild card showdown against Josh Allen and the Bills next weekend, hoping to capitalize on momentum generated from their emphatic victory. For many players, this moment is not only significant for the franchise but also for themselves—to finally showcase their talents on the playoff stage after years of disappointing outcomes.
Instantly, the Chiefs head back home, preparing for the playoff season – their initial performance will be critiqued and dissected as they attempt to find solid footing against top-tier competition.
With the bitter taste of defeat still fresh for Kansas City, it’s time to regroup and reroute momentum toward their postseason goals.