DENVER — They're in.
With a dominant 38-0 win over the Chiefs, the Broncos have clinched a playoff berth and will head to Buffalo for their playoff opener.
In a wire-to-wire win, the Broncos jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead and led the Chiefs 24-0 at halftime.
Guided by a four-touchdown performance by quarterback Bo Nix and a shutout by the Denver defense, the Broncos rolled to their 10th win of the season and a postseason spot.
Following the Bengals' win on Saturday, the Broncos needed a win to get to the playoffs — and they left no doubt on Sunday. Against a Chiefs team that sat a number of key contributors — including starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes — the Broncos put together a dominant outing.
With the win, the Broncos earned their first season with double-digit wins since 2015 and will snap a playoff drought that dates back to Super Bowl 50.
These are the players and plays that led Denver to clinch a playoff berth with a win over their divisional rival.
GAME-CHANGING MOMENT
The Broncos got off to a quick start on Sunday, as Denver posted a six-play, 70-yard touchdown drive to open the Week 18 matchup. Then, after the Denver defense forced a three-and-out, the Broncos ended any hope of a Chiefs upset.
Facing fourth-and-1 from their own 39-yard line, the Broncos chose to go for the conversion — and Nix sneaked forward for a first down. On the next play, Nix looked deep and launched the ball to Courtland Sutton for a 47-yard gain. Two plays later, the Broncos were in the end zone again. The gutsy call allowed the Broncos to snatch control of the game and ensure that the Chiefs didn't hang around.
From there, the Broncos rolled.
DEFINING STATISTIC
18-of-18.
Nix was masterful in the first half, as he completed his first 18 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns. The Broncos scored touchdowns on their first three possessions for the second time in three weeks, and Nix capped each one of them with a touchdown pass. Nix's completion streak was both the longest in Broncos history to start a game and the longest streak in a single game by a Bronco. The 18 completions were also the most by a rookie to start a game in NFL history. During the hot streak to begin the game, Nix solidified his spot as the 2024 rookie passing touchdown leader — and he later passed Baker Mayfield for the second most passing touchdowns by a rookie in NFL history.
MEMORABLE HIGHLIGHT
Devaughn Vele made the best individual play in a game full of them, as he hauled in a ricocheted pass for the Broncos' third touchdown of the afternoon. Nix's pass to tight end Adam Trautman was batted in the air and tipped multiple times before Vele raced in to make an acrobatic catch. The catch kept Nix's perfect start to the game alive, and the rookie went on to complete his first 18 passes.
BOX-SCORE STANDOUTS
OLB Jonathon Cooper notched the first double-digit sack season of his career with a second-quarter takedown of Carson Wentz. Cooper and Nik Bonitto each finish the regular season with double-digit sacks.
WR Courtland Sutton posted the second 1,000-yard season of his career as finished the game with five catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. He went over the 1,000-yard mark on his 47-yard catch in the first quarter.
QB Bo Nix recorded the second game of his career with at least four touchdown passes, and he now has the most games by a rookie in NFL history with 200 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also is the second rookie quarterback in history with multiple games of 300 yards and four passing touchdowns. Nix finished 26-of-29 for 321 yards, four touchdowns and a 152.4 passer rating.
K Wil Lutz tied the Broncos' single-season field-goal record as he booted through his 31st field goal of the season.
WR Marvin Mims Jr. has now scored a touchdown in three of his last five games, as a 32-yard catch-and-run opened the scoring. He added another in the third quarter for his fourth touchdown in the last two weeks. Mims became the first Bronco since 2014 to have a pair of receiving touchdowns in consecutive games.
