Broncos vs Chiefs

Broncos-Chiefs Odds

These two AFC West Division rivals are known for having some of the best home-field advantages in the league, though that mostly hasn’t played a part in the last several seasons.

The Chiefs and Broncos largely exchanged victories back and forth in the early 2000s, but since 2012, this feud has been one built on streaks.

From 2012 to the first game of the 2015 season, the Broncos swept the Chiefs 7-0. In contrast, from 2015-2018, Kansas City swept Denver 7-0. Since 2010, the rivals have split victories with nine a piece.

In the past 10 games over the last five seasons, the underdog play has been favorable to bettors. Of the past 10 games, the underdog won 66.6 percent of the them, or six out of nine (there was one pick’em).

The Broncos played the role of the favorites in four of those games, and the Chiefs covered against the spread in all of them, outright winning three of them.

Out of the five games where Kansas City were the favorites, they covered three of them.

The score has gone over the projected total in five of their last 10 games, with two of them breaking even. The under has hit just 30 percent in the last 10 meetings.

The Kansas City Chiefs have outright beaten the Broncos seven times, or 70 percent, in the last five seasons. However, the competition has been closer than one might think over the past five seasons.

Six, or 60 percent, of the games were decided by a single score and two games were decided by two touchdowns or less.

Chiefs VS Broncos History

The Broncos and Chiefs have been rivals since the American Football League was established in 1960, and they have both competed in the same division throughout: the AFL Western Conference and, after the AFL-NFL merger, the AFC West.

They have met each other just one time in the postseason where the Broncos beat the Chiefs 24-10 in a 1998 divisional round.

The Chiefs have won one Super Bowl Championship (1969), while the Broncos have garnered three in 1997, 1998, and most recently in 2015.

Denver’s longest winning streak against their AFC West rival is eight games from 1976-1979. Kansas City’s longest winning streak against the Broncos is 11 games from 1964-1969.

Great Chiefs-Broncos Games

This AFC West Division rivalry has thrilled fans for decades with huge plays and last-minute comeback victories.

Throughout his illustrious career, former Denver QB John Elway engineered 46 fourth quarter comebacks, and the Chiefs were the recipient of eight of them.

Arguably, one of the greatest contests in these rivals’ history, came in one of the best Monday Night Football games, occurred on Oct. 17, 1994.

Elway faced the Chiefs’ Joe Montana as two of the best quarterbacks to ever play squared off.

With four minutes left in the fourth quarter, Kansas City kicker Lin Elliot landed a 19-yard field goal for the Chiefs to take a 24-21 lead.

Elway engineered a 39-yard drive over six plays, resulting in a four-yard touchdown for the Broncos to regain the lead at 28-24 with only 1:29 remaining in regulation.

However, Montana would end up throwing a five-yard touchdown pass to Willie Davis, sealing a 31-28 victory for the Chiefs with just eight seconds left in the final quarter.

On Sept. 17, 2015, Denver was down 24-17 at Arrowhead Stadium with 2:27 left in the fourth quarter. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning concocted an impressive 80-yard drive over 10 plays that resulted in a game-tying 19-yard touchdown pass to Emmanuel Sanders, leaving just 36 seconds on the clock.

Just when fans thought they were in for an overtime battle, Denver linebacker Brandon Marshall caused Kansas City’s Jamaal Charles to fumble on the next play.

Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby returned the fumble for 21 yards to gain a 31-24 victory over the Chiefs.

On Nov. 27, 2016, these AFC West rivals found themselves in overtime tied 24-all. After both teams successfully made a field goal, in a move that still puzzles many fans, the Broncos attempted to win the game by going for a 62-yard field goal to no avail.

This resulted in a Kansas City possession at Denver’s 48-yard line with 1:08 left in overtime. Four plays later with five seconds left, Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos landed a game-winning 34-yard field goal.

Infamous Chiefs-Broncos Moments

On Oct. 5, 2003, Kansas City return specialist Dante Hall returned a punt in the fourth quarter for a 93-yard touchdown at Arrowhead Stadium, resulting in a Chiefs 24-23 victory.

On Nov. 14, 2010, Kansas City found themselves down 35-0 at the end of the first half. The second half wasn’t much better for Kansas City, as Denver won 49-29.

However, what most Broncos fans remember most is Denver head coach Josh McDaniels being snubbed the postgame handshake by Chiefs head coach Todd Haley.

Denver quarterback Peyton Manning found his only 0.0 passer rating in his career in a game against the Chiefs on Nov. 15, 2015. Kansas City handily beat the Broncos 29-13 at Mile High.

Manning only needed three yards in this game to become the all-time NFL leader in regular season passing yards, but that wouldn’t come to be. Four interceptions later, the signal caller was benched in favor of Brock Osweiler.

Notable Players

Wide receiver Eddie Kennison is a rare “double agent” because he played for both the Chiefs and the Broncos in the same season (2001). After playing eight games with the Broncos that season, Kennison announced his retirement.

One month later—in a move that angered both Denver fans and players alike—the wide receiver signed with the Chiefs and played with them for several seasons, averaging 58 receptions, 961 yards, and five touchdowns each season from 2002-2006.

He then played one season with the Rams but retired a Chief, thanks to a one-day contract.

Defensive end Neil Smith clocked 104.5 sacks in his 13-year NFL career. He spent nine seasons with the Chiefs, registering 85.5 sacks and garnering five Pro Bowls.

Just in time to pick up two Super Bowl rings, in 1997 and 1998, Smith went to the Broncos in 1997 and played for them until 1999, and he had one Pro Bowl appearance during his Denver career.

Chiefs VS Broncos FAQs

• What is the Chiefs' All-Time Record Against the Broncos?
  Out of 118 total games played, Kansas City leads the series 63-55, including one postseason victory, winning approximately 53 percent of the games.
• When do the Chiefs play the Broncos Next?
  The AFC West Division rivals meet for the first time this season at 7:20 p.m. on Oct. 17 at Mile High Stadium.
• When did the Chiefs First Play the Broncos?
  Kansas City first played Denver on Oct. 30, 1960, when the Chiefs were the Dallas Texans.
• Who Won the First Meeting Between the Chiefs and Broncos?
  The Chiefs/Texans beat the Broncos 17-14.