1 of 5 | Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram (L) exchanges Christmas greetings with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on Thursday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Photo by Jon Robichaud/UPI | License Photo
Defenders enveloped the offense like quicksand, swallowing production as the Denver Broncos fought for a narrow win over the Kansas City Chiefs and maintained control of the AFC.
The Broncos held the Chiefs to just 139 yards, including a season low 57 through the air, in the 20-13 triumph Thursday in Kansas City, Mo.
The Chiefs totaled just 10 first downs behind former third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun, who was forced into action due to injuries to starter Patrick Mahomes and backup Gardner Minshew.
“We just did what we had to do,” Broncos quarterback Bo Nix told reporters.
Rook for six!
: #TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/0mHsaNIyVD— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 26, 2025
Kicker Wil Lutz made a 27-yard field goal five minutes into the AFC West matchup. Oladokun threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to running back Brashard Smith about three minutes into the second quarter for the Chiefs’ lone trip to the end zone.
Lutz hit a 30-yard field goal to cut the Broncos deficit to 7-6 at halftime. Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker split the uprights for a 53-yard field goal on the next drive.
Nix gave the Broncos their first lead with a 9-yard rushing touchdown with about two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Butker tied the score with a 47-yard kick with about eight minutes remaining.
Nix hit running back R.J. Harvey with a 1-yard touchdown pass with 1:45 remaining to give the Broncos their final advantage.
Veteran tight end Travis Kelce, who led the Chiefs with five catches and 36 receiving yards, nearly helped aid a fourth-quarter rally. But Oladokun’s final two pass attempts from the Denver 26-yard line fell incomplete.
Nix completed 26 of 38 passes for 182 yards, a score and an interception. He ran for 42 yards on nine carries, including his third quarter touchdown run. Harvey logged 76 yards from scrimmage and a score on 19 touches.
Kelce, who potentially played his final game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, was emotional after the performance.
“That’s the story of his career,” Oladokun said of Kelce. “Hopefully, it’s not Travis’ last year. He’ll make that decision in the off-season. Obviously, everyone in Chiefs kingdom would love to have him back. The game loves and needs Trav.”
Kelce told reporters he will consult with family, friends and the Chiefs before deciding on the next route for his Hall of Fame-worthy career.
“Honestly, I’ve been just focused on trying to win football games,” Kelce said. “I’ll let that be a decision that I make with my family, friends and the Chiefs organization when the time comes.”
The Chiefs (6-10), who were previously eliminated from playoff contention, will take on the Las Vegas Raiders (2-13) on Jan. 4 in their regular season finale.
The Broncos (13-3) will host the Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) on Jan. 4 in Denver.
UPI Pictures of the Year 2025: Winning moments in Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (C) celebrates with teammates after the Dodgers defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings in Game 7 to win the World Series in Toronto on November 1, 2025. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
