Chiefs vs. Broncos final score, results: KC stays on top in AFC thanks to scoop-and-score TD

Dani Mohr

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Chiefs vs. Broncos final score, results: KC stays on top in AFC thanks to scoop-and-score TD image

With their 28-24 victory Saturday in Denver to close out the regular season, the Chiefs have a shot at earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. 

The win clinched at least the No. 2 seed for Kansas City. The Chiefs will finish No. 1 if the Titans lose to the Texans on Sunday. 

The game's key play occurred in the fourth quarter as the Broncos were driving in the Chiefs' red zone. Melvin Gordon III took a handoff from Drew Lock, but a blitzing Melvin Ingram knocked the ball loose. Rookie linebacker Nick Bolton scooped up the fumble and returned it 86 yards to the end zone to put the Chiefs ahead 28-21 with 7:42 remaining. 

MORE: Ingram draws Clowney comparisons on Twitter with forced fumble

 

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 27 of 44 passes for 270 yards with two touchdowns. He was also the team's leading rusher with nine carries for 54 yards.  

Lock completed 12 of 24 passes for 162 yards. He rushed four times for 35 yards and two touchdowns. Gordon led the Broncos with 110 rushing yards and a score. 

MORE: Fangio points out QB gap to explain why Broncos lag in AFC West

The Chiefs suffered a few injuries in the game that might impact coach Andy Reid's plans for the postseason. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill reportedly injured his heel during warmups and saw limited snaps. He recorded one reception for 2 yards. Running back Darrel Williams suffered a toe injury after he surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards for the first time in his career.

The Chiefs will await the outcome of the Titans' matchup against the Texans. A Texans win will give Kansas City home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs and a first-round bye. 

Sporting News tracked scoring updates and highlights from Chiefs vs. Broncos on Saturday. Follow along for complete results from the NFL Week 18 game.

MORE: Watch NFL games live with fuboTV (free trial)

Chiefs vs. Broncos score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F
Chiefs 7 3 7 11 28
Broncos 7 7 7 3 24

Chiefs vs. Broncos live updates, highlights

All times Eastern .  

Final: Chiefs 28, Broncos 24

7:22 p.m.:  Kelce makes the catch on a pass from Mahomes for 11 yards and goes down at the Denver 6, sealing the victory for Kansas City.

7:18 p.m.:  Mahomes completes a pass to Hardman, who breaks free for 44 yards and gives the Chiefs a first down at the Denver 27. 

7:14 p.m.: FIELD GOAL BRONCOS.  McManus makes a 31 yard attempt after Lock throws an incomplete pass on third down. Denver is down 28-24 with 4:37 remaining. 

7:11 p.m.:  Lock completes a deep pass to Jeudy for 28 yards and positions the Broncos at the Kansas City 14. 

7:07 p.m.:  Lock completes a pass to Patrick, who rushes to the Kansas City 46 and picks up 29 yards. 

7:03 p.m.: FUMBLE, TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS.  Gordon attempts to rush and Ingrahm knocks the ball loose. Bolton recovers and escapes for 86 yards and rushes into the end zone. Mahomes rushes into the end zone for the two-point conversion and the Chiefs are ahead 28-21 with 7:42 remaining. 

7:00 p.m.:  Lock completes a pass to Patrick for 10 yards then Williams rushes for 15 yards on the following play. 

6:57 p.m.:  Sutton catches a pass from Lock then rushes to get a first down at the Kansas City 44. 

6:55 p.m.:  Lock completes a check-down pass to Gordon, who gets the first down at the 38. He rushes for another 5 yards on the following play. 

6:52 p.m.:  FIELD GOAL CHIEFS.  Denver tips down a pass from Mahomes on third down and forces an incompletion. Butker makes a 51-yard attempt and the Chiefs are down 21-20  16 seconds into the fourth quarter. 

Third Quarter: Broncos 21, Chiefs 17

6:45 p.m.:  Gore rushes for 4 yards to end the third quarter. 

6:44 p.m.:  Mahomes connects with Pringle for 19 yards and falls short of the first down. Pringle was injured during the play. Hill catches a pass for 1 yard on the following play that gives Kansas City a first down at the Denver 47. 

6:43 p.m.:  Mahomes completes a pass to Kelce for 12 yards but an offensive holding penalty pushes the Chiefs back to their own 

6:41 p.m.:  Bell makes a one-handed catch on a pass from Mahomes for 18 yards and a first down. An illegal forward pass call against the Mahomes pushes the Chiefs to their own 44. 

6:37 p.m.:  Lock completes to Williams for 11 yards and falls short of the first down. Martin punts and the Chiefs will take over from their own 43. 

6:34 p.m.:  Nnadi sacks Lock for a loss of 5 yards and pushes Denver back to their own 10. 

6:29 p.m.:  Ojemudia bats down a pass from Mahomes intended to Gordon and forces the Chiefs to punt. Townsend punts into the end zone and the Broncos will start their drive from the 25.

6:23 p.m.:  McKinnon rushes for 7 yards and is brought down by Browning, who is injured during the play. 

6:18 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS.  Gordon breaks through and rushes for 47 yards into the end zone. McManus makes the extra point and the Broncos are on top 21-17 with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter. 

6:14 p.m.:  Lock completes a deep pass to Patrick for 31 yards and gives the Broncos a first down from the 47.

6:11 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS.  Mahomes completes a pass to McKinnon, who barrels through defenders into the end zone. After Butker makes the extra point,  Chiefs take a 17-14 lead with 10:43 remaining in the third quarter. 

6:07 p.m.:  Mahomes navigates through an opening and rushes for 25 yards to get a first down at the Denver 29. 

6:05 p.m.:  Mahomes completes a short pass to Kelce for 10 yards and gets a first down at the Chiefs' 41. 

Halftime: Broncos 14, Chiefs 10

5:50 p.m.:  Mahomes throws a deep pass to Williams for 17 yards to end the first half. 

5:46 p.m.:  Mahomes completes a pass to Hardman for 11 yards and gives the Chiefs a first down at their own 28.  

5:42 p.m.:  After Lock throws an incomplete pass on third down, Martin punts and Williams returns for 2 yards to give Kansas City possession at their own 15. 

5:36 p.m.:  Lock completes a pass to Patrick for 8 yards then the quarterback rushes for 4 yards to get a first down at the 36. 

5:32 p.m.: FIELD GOAL CHIEFS.  Mahomes throws consecutive incomplete passes and force the Chiefs to settle for a field goal. Broncos still hold a 14-10 lead with 2:18 remaining in the half. 

5:30 p.m.:  Williams rushes for 3 yards then a holding penalty against Humphrey pushes the Chiefs back to the Denver 16. 

5:28 p.m.:  Mahomes throws an incomplete pass intended for Kelce. A defensive pass interference call against Fuller gives the Chiefs a first down at the 16. 

5:27 p.m.:  Pringle catches a pass from Mahomes for 11 yards and is brought down by Simmons and Chubb. 

5:25 p.m.:  Mahomes completes a pass to Pringle for 10 yards then connects Hardman for another 10 yards on the next play. An illegal use of hands penalty against Denver gives Kansas City a first down at the Broncos' 37. 

5:20 p.m.:  Mahomes connects with Robinson on a pass for 12 yards to give the Chiefs a first down at their own 37. 

5:17 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS.  Lock rushes up the middle for 23 yards into the end zone and gives the Broncos the lead. After McManus makes the extra point, Denver leads 14-7 with 7:49 remaining in the half. 

5:12 p.m.:  Gordon breaks free and rushes for 29 yards to give the Broncos a first down at the 49. 

5:08 p.m.:  Harris sacks Mahomes for a loss of 15 yards on third down. Townsend punts into the end zone and the Broncos will take over at the 25. 

5:04 p.m.:  Mahomes completes a pass to Williams for 11 yards, but a personal foul penalty against Denver gives the Chiefs a first down at the Denver 43.

First Quarter: Chiefs 7, Broncos 7

4:58 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS.  Lock finds an opening and rushes into the end zone for 5 yards to put the Broncos on the board. After McManus makes the extra point, the game is tied 7-7  with 26 seconds remaining in the first quarter. 

4:56 p.m.:  Broncos execute a trick play and give a direct snap to Williams. He tosses to Sutton, who completes to Fant downfield for 16 yards, giving the Broncos a first down at the 6. 

4:52 p.m.:  Javonte Williams rushes for 9 yards for a first down at the Kansas City 34, then Gordon rushes for 6 yards on the following play.

4:50 p.m.:  Lock throws consecutive incomplete passes and the Broncos line up to punt. Martin punts and is tackled to the ground, a personal foul against the Chiefs gives the Broncos a first down at the 50. 

4:44 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS.  Mahomes completes a pass to Kelce in the end zone for 3 yards. After Butker makes the extra point, Chiefs take a 7-0 lead with 6:08 remaining in the first quarter. 

4:42 p.m.:  Mahomes rushes for another 11 yards and gives the Chiefs a first down at the Denver 7. 

4:40 p.m.: Darrel Williams barrels through several defenders and gives the Chiefs a first down at the 30. 

4:38 p.m.:  Mahomes completes a pass to Pringle for 11 yards and moves the chains to the Denver 42. 

4:36 p.m.:  Mahomes connects on a deep pass to Hardman for 21 yards and positions Kansas City at the 44. 

4:34 p.m.:  Mahomes rushes for 11 yards and gives the Chiefs a first down at their own 23. 

4:32 p.m.:  Lock throws an incomplete deep pass intended for Jeudy on third down. Martin punts and Hardman returns for 3 yards to the Kansas City 12. 

4:30 p.m.:  Broncos win the coin toss and elect to receive. Denver will start with possession on the kickoff. 

What channel is Chiefs vs. Broncos on today?

  • TV channel (national): ESPN
  • Live stream: ESPN, fuboTV

Chiefs vs. Broncos will be broadcast nationally on ESPN in Week 18. This game is going to have a different feel to it, with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Laura Rutledge on the call. John Parry will be ESPN’s rules expert.

In Canada, viewers can watch Chiefs vs. Broncos with a subscription to DAZN, which includes every NFL game .

Chiefs vs. Broncos start time

  • Date: Saturday, Jan. 8
  • Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET, 3:30 p.m. CT

Chiefs vs. Broncos is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. This is a special presentation of ESPN’s "Monday Night Football" ahead of wild-card weekend.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule 2021

Week Date Opponent Time (ET) TV
1 Sept. 12 vs. Browns 4:25 p.m. CBS
2 Sept. 19 at Ravens 8:20 p.m. NBC
3 Sept. 26 vs. Chargers 1 p.m. CBS
4 Oct. 3 at Eagles 1 p.m. CBS
5 Oct. 10 vs. Bills 8:20 p.m. NBC
6 Oct. 17 at Washington 1 p.m. CBS
7 Oct. 24 at Titans 1 p.m. CBS
8 Nov. 1 (Mon.) vs. Giants 8:15 p.m. ESPN
9 Nov. 7 vs. Packers 4:25 p.m. Fox
10 Nov. 14 at Raiders 8:20 p.m. NBC
11 Nov. 21 vs. Cowboys 4:25 p.m. Fox
12 BYE - - -
13 Dec. 5 vs. Broncos 1 p.m. CBS
14 Dec. 12 vs. Raiders 1 p.m. CBS
15 Dec. 16 (Thu.) at Chargers 8:20 p.m. Fox/NFLN/Amazon
16 Dec. 26 vs. Steelers 4:25 p.m. CBS
17 Jan. 2 at Bengals 1 p.m. CBS
18 Jan. 8 (Sat.) at Broncos 4:30 p.m. ESPN

Denver Broncos schedule 2021

Week Date Opponent Time (ET) TV
1 Sept. 12 at Giants 4:25 p.m. Fox
2 Sept. 19 at Jaguars 1 p.m. CBS
3 Sept. 26 vs. Jets 4:05 p.m. CBS
4 Oct. 3 vs. Ravens 4:25 p.m. CBS
5 Oct. 10 at Steelers 1 p.m. Fox
6 Oct. 17 vs. Raiders 4:25 p.m. CBS
7 Oct. 21 (Thu.) at Browns 8:20 p.m. Fox/NFLN/Amazon
8 Oct. 31 vs. Washington 4:25 p.m. Fox
9 Nov. 7 at Cowboys 1 p.m. Fox
10 Nov. 14 vs. Eagles 4:25 p.m. CBS
11 BYE - - -
12 Nov. 28 vs. Chargers 4:05 p.m. CBS
13 Dec. 5 at Chiefs 1 p.m. CBS
14 Dec. 12 vs. Lions 4:05 p.m. Fox
15 Dec. 19 vs. Bengals 4:05 p.m. CBS
16 Dec. 26 at Raiders 4:25 p.m. CBS
17 Jan. 2 at Chargers 4:05 p.m. CBS
18 Jan. 8 (Sat.) vs. Chiefs 4:30 p.m. ET ESPN

NFL Week 18 schedule

Saturday, Jan. 8

Game Time (ET) TV channel
Chiefs at Broncos 4:30 p.m. ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, fuboTV
Cowboys at Eagles 8:15 p.m. ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, fuboTV

Sunday, Jan. 9

Game Time (ET) TV Channel
Bengals at Browns 1 p.m. Fox, fuboTV
Packers at Lions 1 p.m. Fox, fuboTV
Bears at Vikings 1 p.m. Fox, fuboTV
Washington at Giants 1 p.m. Fox, fuboTV
Colts at Jaguars 1 p.m. CBS, fuboTV
Steelers at Ravens 1 p.m. CBS, fuboTV
Titans at Texans 1 p.m. CBS, fuboTV
Saints at Falcons 4:25 p.m. Fox, fuboTV
Jets at Bills 4:25 p.m. CBS, fuboTV
49ers at Rams 4:25 p.m. Fox, fuboTV
Patriots at Dolphins 4:25 p.m. CBS, fuboTV
Seahawks at Cardinals 4:25 p.m. Fox, fuboTV
Panthers at Buccaneers 4:25 p.m. CBS, fuboTV
Chargers at Raiders 8:20 p.m. NBC, fuboTV

Dani Mohr