Bo Nix threw a touchdown pass to RJ Harvey with 1:45 left in the game and the Denver Broncos worked hard to win 20-13 against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night.
Against the Chiefs (6-10) who had recourse to their third quarterback in Chris Oladukun, the Broncos (13-3) did not have it easy at Arrowhead Stadium.
Nix’s offense won 22 first downs in this game, compared to just 10 for the Chiefs, but had difficulty generating points. Denver had the ball for 39:28 in this game, while the Chiefs had the ball for just 20 minutes and 32 seconds.
Oladukun had his hands full against Sean Payton’s defense in his first NFL start at the age of 28.
Sent into the fray due to injuries to Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew, Oladukun completed 13 of his 22 passes for meager gains of 66 yards. He still threw the first touchdown pass of his NFL career by connecting with Brashard Smith in the second quarter.
A page of history could have been turned for the Chiefs in this fifth consecutive defeat. Travis Kelce may have played his last game in the NFL. Retirement rumors are growing louder and louder for the 36-year-old tight end. Kelce led the Chiefs with five receptions and 36 yards.
Despite this marked advantage on the part of the Chiefs in terms of statistics, the Chiefs still had a 10-6 lead in the third quarter. Nix then completed a sequence of 14 plays and 9:47 by scoring a touchdown on a nine-yard run.
Harrison Butker tied the game with a 47-yard field goal early in the fourth. Nix then got back to work orchestrating another long offensive sequence for the Broncos. 14 plays and 6:18 later, it was Harvey who completed the job with his 12th touchdown of the campaign.
The Broncos will have the opportunity to secure first place in the AFC next week with a victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. A loss for the New England Patriots against the New York Jets on Sunday would ensure them this first place.
