AFC West: Broncos seize division lead after final-second sack

Malcolm Roach stripped Patrick Mahomes on fourth down near the Denver goal line on the final play of the game, securing a 28-24 victory for the Broncos over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The stop capped a fourth-quarter rally that erased a 24-13 deficit and moved Denver into first place in the AFC West.

The Broncos trailed late in the third quarter after a slow offensive sequence. Bo Nix took over in the fourth quarter, driving the team to the end zone on two consecutive possessions.

Nix first connected with Jaylen Waddle for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal. The Broncos followed with a 2-point conversion pass from Nix to Waddle, cutting the deficit to 24-21.

Kansas City missed a 54-yard field goal attempt by Harrison Butker, who hit the ball wide right in steady rain. The miss came after Alex Singleton sacked Mahomes for a 6-yard loss on the previous play.

Denver capitalized on the turnover. Rookie running back Jonah Coleman gained 51 yards on the next play and scored from 5 yards out two plays later to put the Broncos ahead 28-24.

The Chiefs mounted a final drive with 1 minute 56 seconds remaining. Kenneth Walker III and Travis Kelce moved the ball into the 1-yard line.

Mahomes threw an incomplete pass on second down. Walker was stopped short on third down. On fourth down, Roach sacked Mahomes, ending the game.

Nix completed 20 of 32 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Mahomes finished with 30 of 41 for 321 yards and three touchdowns.

The Chiefs dropped their second straight game. Mahomes had thrown for at least one touchdown in every game of his career prior to this season's slump, though he found targets in each quarter today.

Emmett Johnson returned a kickoff 38 yards to set up a field goal for Kansas City. Rashee Rice returned from a hamstring injury to catch an 11-yard score early in the game.

The Broncos will visit the Carolina Panthers next Sunday. The Chiefs will host the New York Jets at home.