The Denver Broncos entered Christmas night with everything to play for, while the Kansas City Chiefs had little more than pride on the line. Yet, as AFC West rivals met at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 17, the familiar intensity of the matchup showed no signs of fading.
Denver, sitting at 12–3, arrived in Kansas City with a chance to dramatically reshape the AFC playoff picture. A victory would move the Broncos closer to clinching the AFC West title and potentially position them for the conference’s No. 1 seed, depending on results elsewhere. With quarterback Bo Nix leading a resurgent season, the stakes could hardly have been higher for a franchise eager to reclaim its place among the league’s elite.
The Chiefs, by contrast, have endured a difficult campaign. At 6–9 and without Patrick Mahomes, who is sidelined with a torn ACL, Kansas City is already eliminated from postseason contention. Still, head coach Andy Reid’s team was determined not to let Denver celebrate freely on Christmas night, especially on their home field.
Kansas City struck first early in the second quarter, showing unexpected energy behind third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun, who was making his first NFL start. Oladokun capped a 10-play, 35-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown pass to running back Brashard Smith, giving the Chiefs a 7–3 lead with 12:49 remaining in the second quarter.
The scoring drive offered a brief spark for a Chiefs offense that has struggled for consistency throughout the season. Oladokun looked poised in the pocket, making quick decisions and leaning on short, efficient throws to keep the drive alive against a disciplined Broncos defense.
Denver, meanwhile, found itself in an unfamiliar position—chasing momentum rather than controlling it. While the Broncos had already put three points on the board, the Chiefs’ early touchdown raised the possibility of a Christmas-night upset and reminded Denver that divisional games rarely follow the script.
As the game continued, the Broncos remained focused on their larger goal: securing a win that could all but lock up the AFC West and keep their Super Bowl aspirations intact. For Kansas City, the mission was simpler but no less satisfying—spoil Denver’s holiday plans and prove that even in a lost season, the rivalry still matters.
With plenty of football left to be played, the question looming over Arrowhead was whether the Broncos would steady themselves and take control, or whether the undermanned Chiefs could summon one last surprise to make Christmas night uncomfortable for their rivals.