Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs saw their AFC West hopes take a hit after an 22-19 road loss to the first-place Denver Broncos, decided by a game-winning field goal.
The defeat dropped the Chiefs to 5-5 overall and 2-4 in the AFC West, extending their losing streak to two games. Meanwhile, Bo Nix and the Broncos remain red-hot, winning eight straight to improve to 9-2 overall and 6-2 in conference play.
Mahomes threw for 276 yards with one touchdown and one interception, completing 29-of-45 passes and connecting with Travis Kelce for a 91-yard touchdown, while Kareem Hunt added a rushing score with 59 yards on the ground.
Nix finished with 295 yards, completing 24-of-37 passes, and Will Lutz delivered the game-winning field goal.
Fans reacted to the Chiefs’ struggles as their AFC West hopes continued to fade, leaving them in third place.
In a sluggish, low-scoring first half, both teams went into the break tied at six, each with two field goals after a string of uninspiring offensive drives and punts.
Mahomes opened the second half with an interception that set up a Broncos touchdown, giving Nix and Denver a 13-6 lead. Kansas City responded before the quarter ended, sending the game into the fourth tied at 13.
A field goal to start the fourth put the Broncos ahead by three, but a quick 2:53 drive set up a Chiefs touchdown as the teams traded scores. Denver tied it again with a field goal with just over four minutes remaining.
After holding the Chiefs to a three-and-out, Nix and the Broncos regained possession and sealed the win with a 35-yard field goal.
The Chiefs will host the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday as the Broncos head into a bye week.
