In the long, bizarre history of the AFC West, few things are more predictable than the Denver Broncos declaring themselves “back” after grinding out a win over a team held together by practice-squad tape and nostalgia. Let’s just be honest, right?
Thursday night at Arrowhead was no exception. Yes, the Broncos are 13-3. Yes, they are in full control of the AFC. And yes, Bo Nix scrambled just enough, dinked just enough, and survived just enough to beat a third-string quarterback making his first NFL start. If that is the path to a conference crown, the conference itself might be in more trouble than it realizes.
Is it luck or is there more to it for the Broncos?
The Broncos’ 20-13 win over the Kansas City Chiefs looked imposing enough on paper. In practice, it resembled a sleepwalk through a hollowed-out dynasty. Kansas City, eliminated for the first time since 2014, trotted out Chris Oladokun, Travis Kelce, and a cast of whoever-was-still-standing. Denver responded by dominating time of possession, stacking long drives, and settling repeatedly for field goals. It was football by attrition, not conviction.
Nix finished 26-of-38 for 182 yards, a touchdown and an interception—a stat line straight from the “game manager starter pack.” Denver’s offense, with all its hype and ceremony, produced one meaningful moment: a late drive extended only after the Chiefs jumped offsides on fourth down. From there, Nix found RJ Harvey for the winner, and the Broncos escaped Arrowhead with the ugliest 13th win in franchise history.
Sean Payton called it “effective” and insisted style points mean nothing. That’s convenient, because the Broncos’ style Thursday night was something between sludge and static. They opened with a 14-play slog for three points. Followed it with another marathon possession for… three points. And when they finally broke through, Kansas City tied the game anyway.
The “Cream” of the AFC West? More like store-brand Broncos…
Broncos fans can call it resilience, but Raiders fans know better: Denver survived a team with nothing to play for and no quarterback above QB3, exposing a contender built on control rather than firepower—a style that collapses quickly when the temperature drops in January.
So celebrate the AFC West crown if you want. But if a 20-13 scrape past the Mahomes-less, Minshew-less, practically nameless Chiefs is Denver’s proof of supremacy, the AFC just became a lot more interesting—and a lot less intimidating.
*Top Photo: Tyler Schank/Getty Images