The AFC West meeting between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs kicked off at 5:15 AM on December 26, 2025 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
In front of 73,045 fans, Denver secured a controlled 20–13 victory built on possession, defensive discipline, and efficient situational football.
The Broncos improved to 13–3 on the season while the Chiefs fell to 6–10.
Denver dictated the pace from start to finish, holding the ball for nearly 40 minutes and limiting Kansas City to just 139 total yards.
Broncos Control the Tempo Early
Denver opened the scoring with a field goal in the first quarter and steadily built pressure through sustained drives.
Bo Nix managed the offense calmly, completing 26 of 38 passes for 182 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The Broncos’ methodical approach resulted in 22 first downs compared to Kansas City’s 10.
By halftime, Denver had already established a time of possession advantage that the Chiefs could not overcome.
Ground Game Provides Balance
The Broncos’ rushing attack was central to their strategy.
Denver ran the ball 32 times for 128 yards and a touchdown.
RJ Harvey led the way with 43 yards on 14 carries, while Nix added 42 yards and a rushing score on nine attempts.
Jaleel McLaughlin contributed 40 yards at an impressive 5.7 yards per carry.
Kansas City managed 82 rushing yards but never found consistency.
Receiving Contributions Spread Across the Field
Courtland Sutton led Denver receivers with 40 yards on four catches.
RJ Harvey added five receptions for 33 yards and a touchdown out of the backfield.
Adam Trautman and Lil’Jordan Humphrey made key chain-moving catches during long drives.
For Kansas City, Travis Kelce recorded five receptions for 36 yards, while JuJu Smith-Schuster added 16 yards.
Quarterback Comparison
| Quarterback | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bo Nix (DEN) | 26/38 | 182 | 1 | 1 | 76.9 |
| Chris Oladokun (KC) | 13/22 | 66 | 1 | 0 | 79.0 |
While Oladokun avoided turnovers, Kansas City’s passing game averaged just 3.0 yards per attempt.
Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats
| Team | Carries | Yards | Avg | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | 32 | 128 | 4.0 | 1 |
| Chiefs | 19 | 82 | 4.3 | 0 |
Denver’s commitment to the run allowed them to control field position and tempo.
Defensive Standouts
D.J. Jones recorded five tackles to anchor the defensive front.
Jonah Elliss and Dondrea Tillman each contributed half a sack and multiple quarterback hits.
Nick Bolton was the Chiefs’ most active defender with 12 total tackles.
Chris Jones added a sack and four quarterback hits for Kansas City.
Team Statistical Comparison
| Category | Broncos | Chiefs |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 303 | 139 |
| First Downs | 22 | 10 |
| Third Down | 11/18 | 4/11 |
| Red Zone | 2/4 | 1/1 |
| Possession | 39:28 | 20:32 |
| Penalties | 5-57 | 2-10 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
Denver’s 11 successful third-down conversions kept drives alive and the Chiefs’ defense on the field.
Special Teams Impact
Wil Lutz was perfect on the day, converting both field goals and extra points for eight total points.
Jeremy Crawshaw averaged 51.5 yards on two punts and pinned one inside the 20-yard line.
Harrison Butker connected on two long field goals for Kansas City, including a 53-yarder.
A Controlled Road Victory
This contest was defined by Denver’s ability to sustain drives and limit Kansas City’s offensive opportunities.
The Broncos ran 71 plays compared to just 42 from the Chiefs.
That imbalance, combined with defensive pressure and efficient situational play, secured a critical divisional road win late in the season.