Broncos QB Bo Nix wins 16th straight one-point game against Chiefs

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix completed 20 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns to lead his team to a 28-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The win places Denver atop the AFC West division. It also marks Nix's 16th consecutive win as a starter in a game decided by a single point.

The Broncos trailed for much of the contest before rallying in the final minutes. Nix led three scoring drives during the first three quarters. He outscored Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes 15-0 during the last 16 minutes and 38 seconds of regulation play. This performance gave Nix his 15th career game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime. That total surpasses the 14 recorded by Dak Prescott over his first three seasons, setting a new benchmark for quarterbacks since 1970.

Nix noted that the Chiefs played strong defense for the first three quarters, limiting Denver's scoring opportunities. He credited running back Jonah Coleman for a key first-down run that shifted momentum. Coleman later caught a 51-yard pass from Nix with 2:31 remaining, setting up the final touchdown. That play occurred after a 9-play, 80-yard drive cut the Chiefs' lead to 24-21. Nix finished the game with two touchdowns and no interceptions, despite several passes being tipped by defenders.

Coach Sean Payton praised Nix's performance while acknowledging the difficulty of the Chiefs' defensive scheme. Payton described the pressure as a cat-and-mouse game, noting that the defense switched between pressure and coverage. He mentioned that his play-calling sheet became difficult to read due to rain, but the team executed the necessary plays. Payton joked about not laminating the sheet before the game.

Nix has a 4-2 record against the Chiefs over the last 38 months. In contrast, Broncos quarterbacks from 2015 to 2023 went 1-16 against Kansas City. Including the postseason, Nix is 31-13 at home as a starter. His record at Empower Field includes a 19-3 mark as the starting quarterback. The team is now 30-12 in the regular season under his leadership.

Cornerback Riley Moss described the victory as gritty, noting that the team kept playing even after injuries to him and other players. Nix appeared tired after the game, telling reporters he was ready to go home and sleep. He described the final sequence as a one-play, two-minute drive that took the team to the two-yard line. The Chiefs' defense did not score a final point to tie or win the game.

The victory extends a long-running trend for Nix in close games. He has won 16 straight one-score contests as the Broncos' starting quarterback. The win against a direct rival adds to his record against specific opponents. The Broncos will now turn their attention to their next fixture, having secured the division lead for the moment.