Broncos shut out Chiefs to make first playoff appearance since 2016

(Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

The Broncos ended their nine-year playoff drought Sunday after dismantling the Chiefs’ B-team. Denver leaves week 18 with their biggest win in series history, and more importantly, the seven seed in the AFC playoff picture.

Early in the week, it was apparent that Denver would have all the help in the world to beat Kansas City on Sunday, since the team sat most of their starters after locking up the AFC’s first seed. The Chiefs narrowly outlasted the Broncos in their week 10 matchup.

Denver came out of the gate hot, with a methodical opening drive. Denver’s rookie quarterback Bo Nix threw a screen pass to second year wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. who took the pass down the sideline for a 32 yard touchdown. Within four minutes, Denver was already ahead by a score.

The Chiefs answered with a quick three-and-out. Though the Chiefs did not have their star quarterback Patrick Mahomes under center, they still had Carson Wentz.

The next Broncos drive was just as amazing as the first. At midfield, Nix threw a picture-perfect ball to star receiver Courtland Sutton, who reeled it in for a 47 yard gain to put them in scoring position. A couple of plays later, Nix found Sutton in the back of the end zone for the game's second touchdown. Sutton ended the game with five catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. Sutton also eclipsed an 1000 yard season for the second time in his career.

Once again, Kansas City responded to Denver’s long touchdown drive with a quick three-and- out.

Nix and the Broncos offense would then lead an amazing 11-minute drive that was capped off with an improbable Nix touchdown pass to rookie Devaughn Vele. The pass was bobbled by two Chiefs defenders, but snagged in by Vele before the ball touched the ground.

Wentz finally touched the ball for the first time in the second quarter with less than seven minutes on the board. Before the drive started, the Chiefs had only run six offensive plays.

The Kansas City offense finally got a good drive together that was into Denver's territory for the first time. Following two Denver sacks, one by Jonathan Cooper and the other by Pro-Bowler Nik Bonitto, the Chiefs were forced to settle for a field goal. Usually reliable kicker Harrison Butker missed his 51-yard field goal try, keeping points off the board for the Chiefs.

With a little over a minute left in the first half, Nix orchestrated another Denver drive that advanced into Chiefs territory. Two big plays were negated due to Denver penalties, but Nix continued to drive down the field.

Nix finally threw his first incompletion to a wide-open Javonte Williams who would have walked into the end zone. Nix had thrown 18 straight completions to start the day. Following the incompletion there were only six ticks left on the clock, so the Broncos settled for a Wil Lutz field goal to extend their lead to 24-0 going into half-time.

The third quarter was less eventful, as the Chiefs finally forced the Broncos to punt, but did not have any offensive answers of their own. The Chiefs offense struggled all day, they were unable to contain Denver's pass rush, or Denver’s secondary. Kansas City failed to produce 100 passing yards, and they only moved the chains five times all day. The Denver defensive line was able to sack the quarterback five times.

With two minutes and 49 seconds left in the third quarter, Nix found Mims for another touchdown to extend the lead to 31. Nix ended the day, completing 26 passes for 321 yards and four touchdowns. Mims also had a great game, catching five balls for 51 yards and two touchdowns, Mims’ second straight two touchdown game.

Bo Nix was pulled out of the game midway through the fourth quarter following his best performance of the season. Nix ended his stellar rookie regular season with 29 passing touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns, a receiving touchdown and 12 interceptions.

“Quarterback really got on a heater,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said after the game.

The Broncos capped off the game with an Audric Estime rushing touchdown following a drive led by ground-and- pound football. An extremely successful Broncos regular season ends with the Broncos earning their first playoff spot since they beat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

“This is when it gets fun,” Nix said after the game. “The great teams, they show up.” Nix and the Broncos will now look to show the country they are a great team.

The Broncos will now travel to face the second seeded Buffalo Bills, spearheaded by MVP Candidate Josh Allen in the Wildcard Round of the playoffs. The game will be broadcast on Sunday at 11 a.m. M.T. on CBS.