{"id":1421028,"date":"2025-12-26T11:29:37","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T11:29:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=nfl-news&p=1421028"},"modified":"2025-12-26T11:29:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T11:29:38","slug":"game-recap-broncos-20-13-chiefs-dec-26-2025-nix-harvey-lead-broncos-late","status":"publish","type":"nfl-news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/nfl\/nfl-news\/game-recap-broncos-20-13-chiefs-dec-26-2025-nix-harvey-lead-broncos-late\/","title":{"rendered":"Game Recap: Broncos 20-13 Chiefs (Dec 26, 2025) | Nix, Harvey Lead Broncos Late"},"content":{"rendered":"
Analysis by Andy Francis, NFL Game Analyst<\/strong>\n ? Specialising in post-game breakdowns and player performance analysis\n<\/div>\n\n

\u26a1 Quick Recap: Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs<\/h2>\n
\nFinal Score:<\/strong> Denver Broncos 20 – Kansas City Chiefs 13\nGame MVP:<\/strong> Bo Nix (QB, Broncos) \u2013 29\/41, 266 yds, 1 TD, 70 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD\nTurning Point:<\/strong> RJ Harvey\u2019s 1-yard touchdown catch with 1:45 remaining in the fourth quarter\nKey Stat:<\/strong> Broncos converted 9 of 15 third downs (60%)\nWhat It Means:<\/strong> Denver move to 13-3 and lock up at least a top-two seed in the AFC playoffs; Kansas City slide further below .500 in a season of missed chances.\nNext Up:<\/strong> Denver Broncos vs LA Chargers | Kansas City Chiefs vs Las Vegas Raiders\n<\/div>\n\n

How Did Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs Unfold Quarter by Quarter?<\/h2>\n

First Quarter: Broncos Set the Early Tempo<\/h3>\n

Denver set the early pace with a patient, 14-play, 56-yard drive capped by a Wil Lutz 27-yard field goal. Bo Nix (QB) opened sharp, distributing short passes and running well behind RJ Harvey (RB), who was effective both on the ground and through the air. Kansas City\u2019s opening response ended in a punt\u2014setting the tone for the Chiefs\u2019 offensive struggles. Denver dominated time of possession and showed early poise on third downs, while the Chiefs defence bent without breaking. The Broncos steered the quarter, taking a 3-0 lead.<\/p>\n

Score progression:<\/strong> End of Q1: Broncos 3, Chiefs 0Key plays:<\/strong> RJ Harvey 9-yard catch; Bo Nix 9 yards rushing; Wil Lutz 27-yard field goal.Quarter stats:<\/strong> Broncos 6\/7 passing, 3\/3 on first downs, zero penalties; Chiefs 1 first down, 23 yards total.<\/p>\n\n

Second Quarter: Chiefs Answer, Broncos Grind<\/h3>\n

After a Nick Bolton (LB) interception set a short field, Kansas City found rhythm. Chris Oladokun (QB) engineered a 10-play, 35-yard drive, culminating in a 5-yard touchdown to Brashard Smith (RB). The Broncos responded with a grinding 16-play, 79-yard possession, Lutz hitting another field goal. Both defences stepped up around midfield, but Denver\u2019s control of the clock stood out. The quarter saw both teams sustain drives (179 combined yards), but red zone efficiency split the difference as the Broncos settled for kicks and the Chiefs finished a TD drive when they had the opportunity.<\/p>\n

Score progression:<\/strong> End of Q2: Chiefs 7, Broncos 6Key plays:<\/strong> Brashard Smith 5-yard TD catch, Lutz 30-yard field goal; Chiefs 4th down conversion by Kareem Hunt (RB).Quarter stats:<\/strong> Chiefs 10 carries, 41 rushing yards; Broncos 7\/8 passing, 9 first downs in the half.<\/p>\n\n

Third Quarter: Nix and Sutton Explode, Momentum Shifts<\/h3>\n

The third quarter saw the game tilt. Kansas City opened with a field goal, but Denver countered with a clinical 14-play, 82-yard drive featuring a 23-yard deep shot to Courtland Sutton (WR), who finished with 5 catches for 74 yards. Nix capped it off with a 9-yard scramble for a score. Chiefs struggled with negative plays (sack, penalty stalling key drive) and the Broncos turned up the pressure on both sides\u2014Jonah Elliss (OLB) registering a sack and three tackles for loss. As fatigue set in, Denver\u2019s balanced attack\u2014splitting touches between Harvey and Jaleel McLaughlin (RB)\u2014ground down the Chiefs front, handing the lead to Denver.<\/p>\n

Score progression:<\/strong> End of Q3: Broncos 13, Chiefs 10Key plays:<\/strong> Nix 9-yard rushing TD, Butker 53-yard field goal, deep shots to Sutton.Quarter stats:<\/strong> Broncos 114 total yards in Q3, Chiefs held to 17 net passing yards after the field goal.<\/p>\n\n

Fourth Quarter: Broncos Outlast, Harvey Ices It<\/h3>\n

In a tension-filled fourth, both teams exchanged lengthy drives, with field goals from Butker (47 yards) and Lutz. The Chiefs tied it at 13 but Denver\u2019s final possession was vintage\u2014converting multiple third downs (22 yards from Harvey in one series) and marching 65 yards in 14 plays. The clincher: Nix hit Harvey out of the backfield for a 1-yard touchdown with 1:45 to play. Under the Arrowhead lights, the Broncos defence then forced short gains and a turnover on downs, stifling a late Kansas City push. Nix kneeled out the win after the defence’s stop.<\/p>\n

Score progression:<\/strong> Final: Broncos 20, Chiefs 13Key plays:<\/strong> Harvey 11-yard run, 1-yard TD catch; Chiefs drive ends on 4th down at the Denver 26.Quarter stats:<\/strong> Broncos: 7\/8 on 3rd down in the half, Chiefs\u2019 longest gain: 14 yards (Kelce).<\/p>\n\n

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