Broncos test Chiefs' AFC West dynasty in 22-19 victory

Sean Keeler, The Denver Post on Nov 16, 2025

Published in Football

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DENVER — Initial thoughts from the Denver Broncos’ 22-19 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11 at Empower Field:

— The Chiefs are dead. DEAD!: Patrick Mahomes will be seeing Ja’Quan McMillian in his sleep. If he can sleep at all. Because the Broncos just stuck a dagger in the back of the AFC’s longest active dynasty. The Broncos’ heart-stopping win over the Chiefs will likely put an end to a run of nine straight division titles for Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. The Broncos (9-2) hold a four-and-a-half game lead atop the division over Kansas City (5-5) with seven to play. So many heroes. So much insanity. Courtland Sutton’s first down by a centimeter on that final drive. Bo Nix to Troy Franklin to basically ice the game. But the biggest star on a day full of them might be McMillian, who finished with two sacks, a game-changing interception and six tackles.

— Sean Payton gets trucked: Sean Payton was out of line by being on the line. This is going to shock you, but Payton had run afoul of NFL rules when a referee trucked him while chasing McMillian’s 63-yard interception return five minutes into the third quarter. Payton and the official, who didn’t appear to see each other, both went down in a heap, after which flags flew around the pair of prone bodies. Payton got a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, as per NFL.com, “On page A77, the (league) policy states: While play is in progress, there will be no coaches or players within the white border, thus avoiding possible interference with officiating of the game.” So Payton got what was coming to him. In more ways than one.

— Barron on Kelce: While sticking first-round draft pick and slot cornerback Jahdae Barron against a front-line tight end worked wonders against the Cowboys, going back to the well against the Chiefs with Barron proved more of a mixed bag. Dallas tight end Jake Ferguson proved notable in his absence of touches, robbing Dak Prescott of one of his favorite targets. Through three quarters, Kelce had racked up six catches for 56 yards. Barron even talked trash to Kelce after an incompletion with seven seconds left in the first half. The future Hall of Famer had the last laugh, though, as a rare missed tackle by safety Talanoa Hufanga with 9:57 left in the game helped Kelce slither his way for a 21-yard score and a 19-16 KC lead.

— Who needs Taylor when you’ve got Costner?: No Taylor Swift sighting at Empower Field in the first half on Sunday, but who needs the life of a showgirl when you’ve got John Dutton III? While eagle eyes at Mile High were scanning for a peek to see if Kelce’s fiancée had made the trip to the Front Range, another pop culture icon was spotted down on the field before the game. Kevin Costner, the 70-year-old actor/director/producer/musician and star of “Field of Dreams” and “Yellowstone,” was seen kibitzing with Broncos CEO Rob Walton. Costner’s resume over the decades includes a starring role in the 2014 film “Draft Day,” in which Broncos icons John Elway and Peyton Manning also appear.

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