If you’d told a Denver fan a couple of years ago that the broncos and chiefs score would consistently lean toward the Mile High City, they probably would’ve laughed you out of the room. I mean, sixteen straight losses. That’s not a rivalry; that’s a scheduled demolition. But things have changed fast. Like, really fast.
On December 25, 2025, the script didn't just flip—it was shredded. In a Christmas night thriller at Arrowhead Stadium, the Denver Broncos squeezed out a 20-13 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. It wasn't just a win. It was a statement. Bo Nix, the rookie who’s played more like a ten-year vet lately, found R.J. Harvey for a go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter after a crucial Chris Jones offsides penalty.
That score capped off a season sweep for Denver. Yeah, you read that right. A sweep.
The Most Recent Broncos and Chiefs Score: Breaking Down the 20-13 Battle
Most people expected Patrick Mahomes to pull a rabbit out of his hat on Christmas. He usually does. But the Denver defense, led by coordinator Vance Joseph, basically lived in the Chiefs' backfield. Mahomes was under duress all night.
The scoring started slow. A couple of chip-shot field goals by Wil Lutz kept Denver afloat early, but they trailed 7-6 at the half after Courtland Sutton dropped what should’ve been a touchdown. Honestly, it felt like one of those games where Denver would beat themselves. But Nix is different. He stayed cool.
- Final Score: Broncos 20, Chiefs 13 (Dec 25, 2025)
- Key Moment: Bo Nix 9-yard scramble for a TD in the third quarter.
- The Closer: R.J. Harvey catching the winning TD pass with minutes left.
Kansas City had one last gasp, but the Broncos' defense stood tall at their own end of the field. This victory secured a 14-3 regular-season finish for Denver. For the Chiefs? It was another notch in a disappointing 6-11 season. It's weird seeing KC at the bottom of the division, but the numbers don't lie.
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Why the November 22-19 Win Was the Turning Point
Before the Christmas clash, there was the November 16 game in Denver. If you want to know when the momentum truly shifted, look there. The broncos and chiefs score ended 22-19 in favor of Denver on a last-second field goal.
It was a heartbreak for KC. Mahomes had actually given the Chiefs their first lead of the game with a 21-yard strike to Travis Kelce. That was Kelce’s 84th career touchdown, passing Priest Holmes for the franchise record. The stadium was loud. It felt like the "old" Chiefs were back.
Then came the special teams. Frank Crum blocked Harrison Butker’s extra point. That one point—that tiny little mistake—changed everything. Instead of being up four, the Chiefs were only up three. Denver marched down, Lutz hit a 54-yarder to tie it, and then Ja’Quan McMillian sacked Mahomes to force a punt. Lutz eventually nailed his fifth field goal of the day to win it.
Five field goals. It wasn't pretty, but it was effective.
A Look at the Season Sweep and Standings
For the first time since the Manning era, Denver dominated the AFC West. Just look at the final regular-season standings for 2025:
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- Denver Broncos: 14-3 (Division Champs)
- Los Angeles Chargers: 11-6
- Kansas City Chiefs: 6-11
- Las Vegas Raiders: 3-14
It’s a massive gulf. The Chiefs struggled with consistency all year, losing six straight games toward the end of the season. Meanwhile, Denver won eight straight during one stretch.
The biggest margin of the recent era actually happened on January 5, 2025. Denver won 38-0. Now, to be fair, the Chiefs were resting a lot of starters in that one because they had already secured their playoff seeding at the time. But 38-0 is still 38-0. Bo Nix threw for 321 yards and four touchdowns in that game, which basically acted as his "I'm here" party to the NFL.
Historical Context: How Lopsided Was This?
To appreciate the current broncos and chiefs score trends, you have to remember how dark it was for Denver fans. From 2015 to 2023, the Chiefs won 16 games in a row. It was brutal. Patrick Mahomes started his career 12-0 against the Broncos.
The all-time series still favors Kansas City, 73–59. But the "new" rivalry is starting to look a lot like the 90s again. Back then, John Elway and Marty Schottenheimer's Chiefs were always at each other's throats. In 1997, the Broncos lost a heartbreaker 24-22 in the regular season only to beat the Chiefs 14-10 in the playoffs on their way to a Super Bowl.
We might be seeing a repeat of history. Denver is currently in the Divisional Round of the playoffs (January 17, 2026), set to face the Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs, for the first time in a decade, are looking at a top-10 draft pick (9th overall).
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What’s Next for the Rivalry?
So, what should you do with all this? If you’re a bettor or a fantasy manager, the "auto-start" for the Chiefs' defense against Denver is officially dead.
Keep an eye on the 2026 NFL Draft. Kansas City needs to rebuild that offensive line if they want to protect Mahomes from the Denver pass rush that racked up 46 sacks last season. For Denver, the goal is keeping Bo Nix healthy. He’s the first QB since Manning to actually solve the Kansas City puzzle.
If you're looking for actionable steps to stay ahead of the next broncos and chiefs score:
- Track the 2026 Schedule: The NFL schedule usually drops in May. Mark the Denver/KC games immediately; they are no longer "gimmies" for the Chiefs.
- Watch the Draft: Kansas City picks at #9. If they grab a blue-chip tackle, the dynamic might shift back.
- Analyze the Playoff Performance: Watch how Denver handles Buffalo today. If the defense stays this dominant, they are the new standard in the AFC West.
The power balance in the AFC West has shifted. It’s not just a fluke. Denver has found a formula that works, and right now, Kansas City is the one searching for answers.