DENVER (AP) — The Denver Broncos emphatically ended their eight-year playoff drought with a stunning 38-0 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, securing their first postseason appearance since the 2015 season. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix showcased his talent, shattering franchise records by completing 26 of 29 passes for 321 yards and throwing four touchdowns. This impressive performance marks him as one of the standout rookies of the NFL season, recording 29 touchdown passes — the second-most by any rookie, falling just behind Justin Herbert’s 31 touchdowns made back in 2020.
The win came at the Broncos’ Empower Field at Mile High, where the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as supporters hoped to witness their team reclaim its place among the NFL’s elite. For the Chiefs, who had already clinched the No. 1 seed for the playoff, the game took on the atmosphere of a preseason matchup. Given their secured position, coach Andy Reid decided to rest key starters like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. This decision undoubtedly altered the dynamics of the game.
With Wentz starting as the Chiefs’ quarterback, the match began unfavorably for Kansas City. The Broncos took control immediately, kicking off proceedings with Nix connecting with wide receiver Marvin Mims to give Denver a 7-0 lead just minutes after kickoff. Wentz, on the other hand, struggled against the Broncos' fierce defense, completing only 10 of 17 passes for 98 yards and enduring four sacks throughout the game.
The first quarter saw the Broncos doubling their lead to 14-0 with yet another touchdown from Nix, who found Courtland Sutton for a 10-yard score. The momentum was firmly with Denver, who continued to dominate the field with their unique plays, leaving the Chiefs unable to gain any significant traction.
Midway through the second quarter, the game went from bad to worse for Kansas City. Nix displayed remarkable composure and skill during another lengthy drive, capped by Devaughn Vele’s remarkable touchdown reception, extending Denver’s lead to 21-0 with less than seven minutes remaining before halftime.
Despite attempts by the Chiefs to break through, their offense was thoroughly ineffective. Last-minute attempts resulted in missed opportunities; kicker Harrison Butker's 51-yard field goal attempt went wide left, underscoring Kansas City's struggles and allowing the Broncos to maintain their 21-0 lead at halftime.
The second half began with the Chiefs unable to establish any rhythm, illustrating the struggle of utilizing their backup players effectively against Denver's well-prepared squad. Despite making some adjustments, Wentz could not capitalize on any scoring opportunities, leading to Denver adding yet another touchdown to their tally, this time Mims’ second of the game, pushing the score to 31-0.
Striving to seal the victory, the Broncos scored one final touchdown early in the fourth quarter to finalize the scoreline at 38-0. The Chiefs, who exited the game with a 15-2 record, will enjoy a bye week and prepare to host their next playoff matchup at home, poised for their run toward the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, the Broncos, having finally broken through to the playoffs, are set to face the Buffalo Bills next weekend, where they will aim to build upon their triumphant momentum.
This significant defeat also marked the first time since December 16, 2012, the Chiefs were shut out, raising questions about how they will regroup heading toward the playoffs. The Broncos’ victory brought closure to nearly a decade of postseason frustrations and set the stage for what many hope to be the beginning of another great era for Denver football fans.