Broncos Stun Chiefs with Late Goal-Line Stand to Take AFC West Lead
The Kansas City Chiefs dropped out of first place in the AFC West on November 1, 2026, after suffering a 28-24 defeat to the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs squandered a win probability in the final minute after reaching first-and-goal at the Denver four-yard line, culminating in a game-sealing sack by Malcolm Roach on fourth-and-goal.
Late Collapse at Mile High
The Broncos mounted an 11-point fourth-quarter comeback against the Chiefs. Denver head coach Sean Payton dialed up a five-yard touchdown run from Jonah Coleman with 1 minute and 56 seconds remaining to take a 28-24 advantage. The Chiefs drove down to the one-yard line in the final seconds, but a false start penalty on right tackle Jaylon Moore pushed them back. On the game’s final play from the six-yard line, Roach swarmed Mahomes for the deciding sack.
The final plays of the thriller between the Chiefs and Broncos 👀 pic.twitter.com/D7Ap6b5UPt
With 12 yards to cover and 66 seconds remaining, Walker gained 8 yards on a shovel pass from Mahomes, before plowing down to the 1-yard line off the right side where he was stopped by All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II, who returned from a three-game absence due to an ankle injury. On second-and-goal from the 1, Mahomes was flushed right and threw the ball away with 15 seconds left, before JL Skinner stopped Walker for no gain on the subsequent play.
The loss dropped the Chiefs to 5-2 on the season while the Broncos improved to 6-2 to claim the top spot in the division. Kansas City had previously defeated Denver 31-10 in Week One. Rookie running back Emmett Johnson provided a bright spot for the Chiefs with a 73-yard catch-and-run touchdown and 143 total yards from scrimmage. Johnson also turned another short reception into a 38-yard gain, recorded a tackle-breaking 15-yard run, returned a kickoff 44 yards, and made a tackle on special teams.
Kicker Woes and Penalties Mount for Kansas City
Kansas City hurt its own cause throughout the afternoon with 11 penalties totaling 105 yards. Head coach Andy Reid’s squad also struggled in the kicking game. Harrison Butker missed a 54-yard field goal attempt with 2:31 remaining that would have extended the Chiefs’ lead to 27-21. Butker is now two of seven from 50 yards or longer and has missed a league-high 16 field goals since last season, placing him under mounting pressure following the team’s controversial practice squad signing of Justin Tucker earlier in the week.
Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph sought a desperate brand of defense from a unit that led the league in missed tackles. That desperation materialized on the game’s final goal-line stand. JL Skinner stopped Kenneth Walker for no gain on second-and-goal before the defense held firm through the closing seconds to secure the victory and avenge their opening-week blowout loss. “It was ball out or go home,” outside linebacker Que Robinson said of the dramatic finish.