DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 29: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos warms-up prior to a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field At Mile High on October 29, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)Photo: Justin Edmonds / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Denver Broncos snapped their 16-game losing streak to the Chiefs and won 24-9 today at Empower Field at Mile High! Below is the recap and postgame interview:
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense took the field first on a frigid day in Denver, CO. The Broncos defense were fired up right from the jump as they stopped Isaiah Pacheco to no gain, a 3 yard loss on a short pass and an incompletion. Kansas City went 3 and out and the Broncos special teams wasted no time making an impact on the game with rookie Marvin Mims bobbing and weaving his way for a 31 yard return, setting Denver up at the KC 39 yard line.
With tremendous starting field position, the Broncos offense efficiently worked down to the Chiefs 4 yard line where, on a creative designed roll out, Russell Wilson hit Javonte Williams, who broke multiple tackles, to find the end zone for an early Broncos lead 7-0 with 7:56 remaining in the 1st quarter.
Now trailing by a touchdown the Chiefs offense was back on the field and this time they found some rhythm as Patrick Mahomes extended plays, including a 27 yard completion down the right sideline on 3rd and 13 to Justin Watson, and moved Kansas City quickly down the field into the Red Zone. From the Denver 3 yard line, Mahomes hit Rashee Rice with a shovel pass but Baron Browning played it perfectly and stopped him for a 1 yard loss. Harrison Butker converted a 23 yard field goal, cutting in the Broncos lead 7-3.
The Broncos offense went back to work but only managed to move the ball 6 yards after a Courtland Sutton offensive pass interference penalty moved Denver back behind the chains. After a Riley Dixon punt, Kansas City started their next offensive drive at their own 25 yard line with 14:13 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
Mahomes, on the 4th play of the drive, completed a 15 yard pass to Valdez-Scantling who fumbled the ball when Josey Jewell punched it out. Justin Simmons picked it up and the gave the Broncos offense a chance to add to their lead from mid-field.
Russell Wilson wasted no time, hitting Jerry Jeudy for a 39-yard gain, setting the Broncos up at the Kansas City 11 yard line. A couple plays later, Russ completed a fade pass to Jerry Jeudy for the Broncos 2nd touchdown. Broncos now lead Kansas City 14-3.
On the next Chiefs drive, Ja'Quan McMillian comes up with a huge interception to give the ball right back to Denver. Unfortunately, Russell Wilson was stopped on a 4th down conversion attempt and gave the ball right back to Kansas City.
Mahomes and the Chiefs offense took advantage of the shift of momentum and quickly moved into Denver territory. McMillian came up big again with a TFL on a screen to McKinnon and the Chiefs were denied the end zone again. Butker converted a short FG, cutting into the Broncos lead 14-6.
After a quick 5 play drive, Denver punted the ball back to Kansas City and their offense quickly moved into scoring range but Baron Browning strip sacked Patrick Mahomes to give the ball back to Russell Wilson and the offense with 38 seconds remaining in the 1st half.
It seemed like Denver would, if nothing else, escape the 2nd quarter without giving up any more points but Wilson was strip sacked, giving the ball back to KC with 9 seconds left and a chance to get 3 points. Harrison Butker converted a 56 yard field goal and trimmed the Broncos lead 14-9 at the buzzer.
The Broncos offense took the field to start the 2nd half and, aided by tough running and an impressive catch by Sutton, Denver efficiently moved the ball into Chiefs territory all the way down to the Kansas City 13 yard line. Unfortunately, Wilson was sacked back at the 20 and Denver was forced to settle for a Wil Lutz field goal. The attempt was blocked, giving Kansas City the ball back at their own 27 yard line.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense quickly moved the ball into Denver territory but their drive stalled. After a short punt, the Broncos offense began their next drive at their own 9 yard line with 2:45 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Denver went to work on the ground game, mixing in screens to Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin, moving the ball into Chiefs territory but their drive stalled at the 36 after Russell Wilson was sacked. Riley Dixon punted the ball and Mecole Hardman muffed the punt inside the Kansas City 10 yard line and rookie LB Drew Sanders recovered it. Two plays later, Russell Wilson found Courtland Sutton in the back of the end zone to put the Broncos up 21-9 with 10:33 remaining in the game.
Kansas City, now trailing by two scores, quickly moved the ball into Broncos territory but on 4th and 2, Mahomes was unable to connect with Sky Moore in the end zone so Denver got the ball back with 7:35 remaining in the game.
Broncos, trying to run some clock, didn't get much accomplished other than getting Kansas City to burn all of their timeouts.
Mahomes and the Chiefs, with time running out, were desperate to get any points and this is when the Broncos defense came up huge. First Zach Allen sacked Mahomes on 2nd down, then the QB ran into his own linemen while scrambling around resulting in a Baron Browning sack, then finally, a desperation heave that became a Justin Simmons interception!
The Broncos ran some clock, Wil Lutz pitched in a short field goal and the Denver Broncos finally snapped their 16 game losing streak, winning 24-9!
The next broadcast will be on Monday, November 13th as the Broncos will be in Buffalo for Monday Night Football to face the Bills. Coverage starts at Noon MST.
Postgame interviews with Sean Payton, Russell Wilson, Baron Browning and Jerry Jeudy below: