Honestly, if you had asked a Denver fan about the Kansas City Chiefs a couple of years ago, they probably would’ve just stared blankly at the floor. It was grim. For a long, long time, this wasn't really a "rivalry"—it was more of a scheduled biannual beatdown. Patrick Mahomes treated Empower Field at Mile High like his secondary residence, and the Broncos couldn't buy a win if their lives depended on it.
But things have shifted. Weirdly fast.
Entering 2026, the vibe surrounding Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs matches feels fundamentally different than it did during that soul-crushing 16-game losing streak Denver suffered between 2015 and 2023. We aren't just looking at a "big brother, little brother" dynamic anymore. Denver finally figured out how to punch back, and the AFC West is currently more of a dogfight than it has been in a decade.
The Mahomes Hex and the Streak That Wouldn't Die
You can't talk about these two teams without mentioning the numbers. They’re staggering. At one point, Mahomes was 12-0 against Denver. Imagine that. An entire generation of rookies came and went without ever seeing a win against the guys in red.
The turning point finally arrived in late 2023 when Sean Payton’s squad managed a 24-9 win in Denver. It wasn't just a fluke. It was a defensive masterclass that proved Mahomes—while basically a wizard—is still human if you hit him enough. Since that day, the "invincibility" factor has evaporated.
The Chiefs still lead the all-time regular-season series 73-58, but the gap is closing in terms of actual competitiveness. Most people forget that before the Chiefs' recent dominance, the Broncos actually owned this rivalry for years, especially during the Peyton Manning era when Denver went 7-1 against KC. It’s a series of waves. Right now, we’re seeing the tide go out on Kansas City’s total control.
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Breaking Down the Most Recent Battles
The 2024 and 2025 seasons were absolute chaos for these two. In January 2025, Denver pulled off what many consider the most shocking result in years: a 38-0 shutout.
Sure, the Chiefs were resting some starters for the playoffs, but a goose egg is a goose egg. It was the largest margin of victory in the history of the rivalry for Denver. Then, on Christmas Day 2025, the Broncos went into Arrowhead and ground out a 20-13 win. Beating Mahomes at home on a holiday? That’s the kind of stuff that changes a franchise's DNA.
- January 5, 2025: Broncos win 38-0 (Denver).
- November 16, 2025: Broncos win 22-19 (Denver).
- December 25, 2025: Broncos win 20-13 (Kansas City).
That’s three straight for Denver. If you’re a betting person, the "always take the Chiefs" rule has officially been retired.
Why the Script Flipped
It basically comes down to two things: Bo Nix and Vance Joseph.
When Sean Payton brought Joseph back as defensive coordinator, people were skeptical. But Joseph has developed a blueprint for Mahomes that actually works. He stopped trying to play "safe" and started bringing the house. In their November 2025 meeting, Ja'Quan McMillian was everywhere, recording two sacks and a crucial interception. They forced Mahomes to play "left-handed," taking away Travis Kelce and forcing secondary options to beat them. Usually, they couldn't.
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On the other side of the ball, the Broncos found a level of stability they haven't had since Manning retired. Bo Nix isn't throwing for 500 yards, but he’s efficient. He’s winning the "close game" battle. In 2024, the Broncos were 1-6 in one-score games. In 2025, they went 6-2. That is a massive swing in late-game execution.
The Historic Weight of Denver vs Kansas City
We have to acknowledge that this rivalry didn't start with Mahomes or Elway. It goes back to 1960. Back then, the Chiefs were the Dallas Texans. The Texans won the first six meetings. It was ugly from the jump.
The 1990s were probably the peak for pure animosity. You had Marty Schottenheimer for the Chiefs and Mike Shanahan for the Broncos. Two guys who genuinely seemed to dislike each other. This was the era of the "Monday Night Football" classic in 1994 where Joe Montana led a last-second drive to beat John Elway 31-28. It was also the era where Denver got the ultimate revenge in the 1997 playoffs.
That 1997 AFC Divisional round is still the only time these two have met in the postseason. The Chiefs were the #1 seed. They were supposed to steamroll Denver at Arrowhead. Instead, Terrell Davis ran for 101 yards and two touchdowns, and the Broncos won 14-10 on their way to their first Super Bowl title.
Key Stats to Keep in Your Back Pocket
- Postseason Record: Denver leads 1-0.
- Largest Victory (Chiefs): 59-7 in 1963.
- Longest Win Streak: Chiefs with 16 (2015-2023).
- Average Score: Generally hangs around 23-20, though the 60s saw some 50-point blowouts that skew the historical data.
What to Watch for in 2026
The dynamic for Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs matches in 2026 is no longer about "can Denver keep it close?" It’s about "who owns the AFC West?"
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Denver’s defense is currently first in the league in several pressure metrics, and they’ve shown they aren't scared of the Mahomes magic anymore. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are going through a bit of a transition. Kelce is another year older, and the roster is getting expensive. They have to rely on younger guys like Rashee Rice to fill the gaps, and that leads to more mistakes than we're used to seeing from a Reid-led team.
If you’re heading to GEHA Field at Arrowhead or Empower Field this season, expect noise. Expect low-scoring, brutal defensive struggles. The days of Kansas City dropping 40 points on a disorganized Denver secondary are likely over for now.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you are tracking these matchups for the upcoming season, keep these nuances in mind:
- Watch the Pressure Rate: If Denver pressures Mahomes on more than 30% of his dropbacks, they usually win or cover the spread. When Mahomes has a clean pocket (pressure under 25%), he is nearly undefeated against the AFC West.
- The Turnover Margin is Everything: In the last four Denver wins over KC, the Broncos have been +7 in turnovers. They don't win by out-talenting the Chiefs; they win by making them mess up.
- Home Field Matters (But Not Why You Think): The altitude in Denver is a real factor late in the fourth quarter for a Chiefs team that likes to play fast. Conversely, the noise at Arrowhead often causes the Broncos' young offensive line to rack up pre-snap penalties.
- Prop Bets: Look at the "Under" on total points. Both teams have shifted toward a more defensive identity in recent years when playing each other.
The rivalry is alive again. It took nearly a decade, but we finally have a real fight in the AFC West. Whether you're wearing Orange or Red, the tension is back, and that's exactly what the NFL needed.
To stay ahead of the curve for the next meeting, keep a close eye on the injury reports regarding Denver's secondary—specifically Patrick Surtain II. If he's healthy, the Chiefs' passing windows become incredibly small, which has been the "secret sauce" for Denver's recent three-game win streak. Check the weather for late-season games in both cities, as the wind in Kansas City can be just as disruptive as the thin air in Denver.