The Denver Broncos secured a spot in the playoffs after an impressive 38-0 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The win marked the end of an eight-year playoff drought for the Broncos, who last made a postseason appearance after winning Super Bowl 50 in the 2015 season.
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix had a standout performance, setting a franchise record by completing his first 18 passes. Nix threw for four touchdowns, bringing his season total to 29, the second-most by a rookie in NFL history. His stellar performance helped lead the Broncos to victory and secure a spot in the wild-card round.
The Chiefs, who had already clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed and a first-round bye, rested several key starters including Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Carson Wentz started at quarterback for the Chiefs but struggled against the Broncos' formidable pass rush, completing 10 of 17 passes for 98 yards and getting sacked four times.
The Broncos' defense was dominant throughout the game, holding the Chiefs scoreless and forcing turnovers. The victory not only ended the Broncos' playoff drought but also handed the Chiefs their first shutout since 2012.
Denver's win sets up a matchup against the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round next weekend. The Bills, who handed the Chiefs one of their two losses this season, will host the Broncos in what promises to be an exciting playoff showdown.
Despite the loss, the Chiefs will have time to regroup and get healthy during their first-round bye before the AFC divisional round. The Broncos, on the other hand, will look to build on their momentum and continue their playoff run against the Bills.
Both teams faced injuries during the game, with the Chiefs losing several key players to injuries including Chamarri Conner and Isiah Pacheco. The Broncos, however, came out of the game relatively unscathed, with only minor injuries reported.
The Broncos' return to the playoffs after a long drought signals a new era of success for the franchise, while the Chiefs will use their bye week to prepare for the challenges ahead in the postseason.
Overall, the Broncos' dominant performance against the Chiefs showcased their potential as a playoff contender and set the stage for an exciting postseason run.
