Broncos–Chiefs rivalry explained

Broncos–Chiefs rivalry
Team1:Denver Broncos
Team2:Kansas City Chiefs
Team1logo:Denver Broncos wordmark.svg
Team2logo:Kansas City Chiefs wordmark.svg
Firstmeeting:October 30, 1960
Texans 17, Broncos 14[1]
Mostrecent:November 10, 2024
Chiefs 16, Broncos 14
Nextmeeting:January 5, 2025
Total:129
Series:Chiefs: 73–56
Regularseason:Chiefs: 73–55
Postseason:Broncos: 1–0
Largestvictory:Broncos: 38–3
Chiefs: 59–7
Longeststreak:Broncos: 8 (1976–1979)
Chiefs: 16 (2015–2023)
Currentstreak:Chiefs: 1 (2024–present)
Section Header:Post-season history

For the teams, see Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.

The Broncos–Chiefs rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.

Since the American Football League was established in 1960, the Broncos and the Chiefs have shared the same division, first being the AFL Western Conference, and since the AFL–NFL merger, the AFC West. For years, the rivalry has featured two of the best home-field advantages in the league. CBS ranked this rivalry as the No. 4 NFL rivalry of the 1990s in 2020.[2]

The Dallas Texans/Chiefs dominated the Broncos in the 1960s, the decade of the AFL, winning 19 of 20 games. The Broncos have responded since then, winning the series from the 1970s to 2000s. The Chiefs snapped this streak in the 2010s when they won 11–9. The Chiefs/Texans lead the series 73–56, but since the Texans moved to Kansas City and became the Chiefs, they lead 67–56. Dallas swept all six meetings in the rivalry's first three years.

In the 2010s, Peyton Manning went 7–1 against the Chiefs as a member of the Broncos from 2012–2015. The Chiefs took control of the series after defeating the Broncos in 2015 in the final meeting with Manning at quarterback, starting a 16-game win streak for Kansas City over Denver. Until 2023, the Chiefs had gone 15–0 against the Broncos since Manning retired following the 2015 season, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes won his first 12 career starts against Denver. Combined, the two teams have won the last 14 AFC West Division titles from 2010–2023, and were the only teams to win the AFC West in the 2010s.[3]

The Chiefs lead the overall series, 73–56. The two teams have met once in the playoffs, with the Broncos holding a 1–0 record.[1]

Notable moments

1990–1994

1997–present

Season-by-season results

|-| 1960| style="| | style="| Texans
17–14
| style="| Texans
34–7
| Texans
2–0| Inaugural season for both franchises and the American Football League (AFL).|-| 1961| style="| | style="| Texans
19–12
| style="| Texans
49–21
| Texans
4–0| |-| 1962| style="| | style="| Texans
24–3
| style="| Texans
17–10
| Texans
6–0| Last season Texans played as a Dallas-based team and under the "Texans" name.
Texans win 1962 AFL Championship.|-| 1963| style="| | style="| Chiefs
59–7
| style="| Chiefs
52–21
| Chiefs
8–0| Texans relocate to Kansas City and rename themselves to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In Denver, Chiefs set franchise records for their largest victory overall with a 52–point differential and their most points scored in a game. Meanwhile, the Broncos set a franchise record for their worst loss overall.
Chiefs win 8 straight meetings (1960–1963).|-| 1964| Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
33–27
| style="| Chiefs
49–39
| Chiefs
9–1| Broncos' only victory against the Chiefs in the AFL.|-| 1965| style="| | style="| Chiefs
31–23
| style="| Chiefs
45–35
| Chiefs
11–1| |-| 1966| style="| | style="| Chiefs
56–10
| style="| Chiefs
37–10
| Chiefs
13–1| Chiefs win 1966 AFL Championship, but lose Super Bowl I.|-| 1967| style="| | style="| Chiefs
38–24
| style="| Chiefs
52–9
| Chiefs
15–1| |-| 1968| style="| | style="| Chiefs
30–7
| style="| Chiefs
34–2
| Chiefs
17–1| |-| 1969| style="| | style="| Chiefs
26–13
| style="| Chiefs
31–17
| Chiefs
19–1| Chiefs win 11 straight meetings (1964–1969).
Chiefs win Super Bowl IV.|-|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
26–13
| style="| Chiefs
16–0
| Chiefs
20–2| As a result of the AFL–NFL merge, the Broncos and Chiefs are placed in the AFC West.|-| | style="| | style="| Chiefs
16–3
| style="| Chiefs
28–10
| Chiefs
22–2| Chiefs finish 9-0 against Broncos in Municipal Stadium.|-| | style="| | style="| Chiefs
45–24
| style="| Chiefs
24–21
| Chiefs
24–2| Chiefs open Arrowhead Stadium.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
14–10
| style="| Chiefs
16–14
| Chiefs
25–3| Chiefs win 14 consecutive home meetings (1960–1973).|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Chiefs
42–34
| style="| Broncos
17–14
| Chiefs
26–4| Broncos record their first away win over the Chiefs.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
37–33
| style="| Chiefs
26–13
| Chiefs
27–5| |-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
17–16
| style="| Broncos
35–26
| Chiefs
27–7| Broncos record their first season series sweep against the Chiefs.|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
23–7
| style="| Broncos
14–7
| Chiefs
27–9| Broncos lose Super Bowl XII.|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
24–3
| style="| Broncos
23–17
| Chiefs
27–11| |-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
20–3
| style="| Broncos
24–10
| Chiefs
27–13| Broncos win eight consecutive meetings (1976–1979).|-|-| | style="| | style="| Chiefs
23–17
| style="| Chiefs
31–14
| Chiefs
29–13| |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
16–13
| style="| Chiefs
28–14
| Chiefs
30–14| |-| | style="| | style="| Chiefs
37–16
| canceled| Chiefs
31–14| Due to the 1982 NFL players strike, the game scheduled in Kansas City was canceled.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
27–24
| style="| Chiefs
48–17
| Chiefs
32–15| Broncos trade for QB John Elway.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
21–0
| style="| Chiefs
16–13
| Chiefs
33–16| |-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
14–13
| style="| Broncos
30–10
| Chiefs
33–18| |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
38–17
| style="| Chiefs
37–10
| Chiefs
34–19| Broncos lose Super Bowl XXI.|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
20–17
| style="| Broncos
26–17
| | Chiefs
34–21| Broncos lose Super Bowl XXII.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
17–11
| style="| Chiefs
20–13
| Chiefs
35–22| |-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
34–20
| style="| Broncos
16–13
| Chiefs
35–24| Broncos lose Super Bowl XXIV.|-|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
24–23
| style="| Chiefs
31–20
| Chiefs
36–25| In Denver, Broncos' K David Treadwell kicked a game-winning 22–yard field goal in the final seconds.|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
19–16
| style="| Broncos
24–20
| Chiefs
36–27| |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
20–19
| style="| Chiefs
42–20
| Chiefs
37–28| In Denver, Broncos overcome a 19–6 deficit in the final minutes.
Chiefs clinch a playoff berth and eliminate the Broncos from playoff contention with their win.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
27–21
| style="| Chiefs
15–7
| Chiefs
38–29| Broncos win 11 consecutive home meetings (1983–1993).|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Chiefs
31–28
| style="| Broncos
20–17
| Chiefs
39–30| In Denver, Chiefs' QB Joe Montana leads the Chiefs to a dramatic win.
In Kansas City, Broncos block a potential game-winning 36-yard field goal to send the game into overtime, which saw the Broncos win on a 34-yard field goal.|-| | style="| | style="| Chiefs
21–7
| style="| Chiefs
20–17
| Chiefs
41–30| Chiefs' first season series sweep against the Broncos since 1980.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
34–7
| style="| Chiefs
17–14
| Chiefs
42–31| |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
19–3
| style="| Chiefs
24–22
| Chiefs
43–32| In Kansas City, Chiefs' K Pete Stoyanovich kicked a game-winning 54-yard field goal.|- style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"| 1997 Playoffs| style="| | | style="| Broncos
14–10| Chiefs
43–33| AFC Divisional playoffs.
Broncos go on to win Super Bowl XXXII.|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
35–31
| style="| Broncos
30–7
| Chiefs
43–35| Broncos win Super Bowl XXXIII.|-| | style="| | style="| Chiefs
16–10
| style="| Chiefs
26–10
| Chiefs
45–35| |-|-| | style="| | style="| Chiefs
23–22
| style="| Chiefs
20–7
| Chiefs
47–35| |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
20–6
| style="| Chiefs
26–23
| Chiefs
48–36| Broncos open Invesco Field at Mile High (now known as Empower Field at Mile High).|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
31–24
| style="| Broncos
37–34
| Chiefs
48–38| |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
45–27
| style="| Chiefs
24–23
| Chiefs
49–39| In Kansas City, Chiefs' WR Dante Hall returned a punt for a 93-yard touchdown.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
34–24
| style="| Chiefs
45–17
| Chiefs
50–40| |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
30–10
| style="| Chiefs
31–27
| Chiefs
51–41||-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
9–6
| style="| Chiefs
19–10
| Chiefs
52–42| Game in Kansas City was played on Thanksgiving Day.
Both teams finished with 9–7 records, but the Chiefs clinched the final playoff berth based on a better division record, eliminating the Broncos from playoff contention.|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
41–7
| style="| Broncos
27–11
| Chiefs
52–44 | |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
24–17
| style="| Chiefs
33–19
| Chiefs
53–45| Broncos win eight straight home meetings (2001–2008). |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Chiefs
44–24
| style="| Broncos
44–13
| Chiefs
54–46| |-|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
49–29
| style="| Chiefs
10–6
| Chiefs
55–47| In Denver, Broncos score their most points in a game against the Chiefs. Following the game, Chiefs' head coach Todd Haley refused to shake hands with Broncos' head coach Josh McDaniels.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Chiefs
7–3
| style="| Broncos
17–10
| Chiefs
56–48 | |-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
38–3
| style="| Broncos
17–9
| Chiefs
56–50| Broncos sign QB Peyton Manning.
In Denver, Broncos record their largest victory against the Chiefs with a 35–point differential.|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
27–17
| style="| Broncos
35–28
| Chiefs
56–52| Chiefs started 9–0 and the Broncos started 8–1 entering their week 11 meeting in Denver.
Broncos lose Super Bowl XLVIII.|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
24–17
| style="| Broncos
29–16
| Chiefs
56–54||-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Chiefs
29–13
| style="| Broncos
31–24
| Chiefs
57–55| In Kansas City, Broncos score two touchdowns in the last three minutes to win.
In Denver, Peyton Manning finished with a 0.0 passer rating.
Broncos win Super Bowl 50.|-| | style="| | style="| Chiefs
30–27
| style="| Chiefs
33–10
| Chiefs
59–55| Game in Kansas City played on Christmas, in which the Chiefs eliminate the Broncos from playoff contention with their win.
Chiefs' first season series sweep against the Broncos since 2000.|-| | style="| | style="| Chiefs
27–24
| style="| Chiefs
29–19
| Chiefs
61–55 | Chiefs draft QB Patrick Mahomes, who makes his NFL debut in Denver.|-| | style="| | style="| Chiefs
27–23
| style="| Chiefs
30–23
| Chiefs
63–55| |-| | style="| | style="| Chiefs
30–6
| style="| Chiefs
23–3
| Chiefs
65–55| Chiefs allow the fewest points in season series since 1968.
Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV.|-|-| | style="| | style="| Chiefs
43–16
| style="| Chiefs
22–16
| Chiefs
67–55| Chiefs lose Super Bowl LV.|-| | style="| | style="| Chiefs
28–24
| style="| Chiefs
22–9
| Chiefs
69–55||-| | style="| | style="| Chiefs
34–28
| style="| Chiefs
27–24
| Chiefs
71–55| Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
24–9
| style="| Chiefs
19–8
| Chiefs
72–56| Chiefs win 16 straight meetings (2015–2023).
Broncos record their first win against Chiefs' QB Patrick Mahomes, who had previously maintained a perfect record of 12 consecutive wins against them.
Chiefs win Super Bowl LVIII.|-| | style="| | January 5| style="| Chiefs
16–14
| Chiefs
73–56| In Kansas City, Chiefs block a potential game winning field goal. Chiefs win nine straight home meetings (2016–present).|- |-| AFL regular season| style="|Chiefs 19–1| Chiefs 9–1| Chiefs 10–0| Texans/Chiefs have a 3–0 record in Dallas.|-| NFL regular season| Tie 54–54| Broncos 35–19| Chiefs 35–19| |-| AFL and NFL regular season| style="|Chiefs 73–55| Broncos 36–28| Chiefs 45–19| |-| NFL postseason| style="|Broncos 1–0| No games| Broncos 1–0| AFC Divisional: 1997|-| Regular and postseason | style="|Chiefs 73–56| Broncos 36–28| Chiefs 45–20| |-

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: All Matchups, Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs . Pro Football Reference.
  2. Web site: DeArdo . Bryan . July 1, 2020 . NFL's top rivalries of the 1990s: Cowboys part of two legendary matchups . 2022-08-30 . CBSSports.com . en.
  3. Web site: Legwold . Jeff . 2023-10-27 . Six stories explaining Denver's 16-game losing streak to KC . 2024-02-14 . ESPN.com . en.
  4. Web site: Associated Press . 4th-Down Pass Helps Denver Win : Pro football: Elway's 49-yard completion sets up a last-second field goal that turns back Kansas City, 24-23. . Los Angeles Times . September 18, 1990 . August 12, 2013.
  5. Web site: The Ol' Rivalry: Best Broncos/Chiefs Games of All-Time . Predominately Orange . December 4, 2007 . August 12, 2013.
  6. Web site: John Elway's Career 4th quarter comebacks and game-winning drives – Pro Football Reference. .
  7. Web site: Krier, Chris . Broncos Classic: 1992 Kansas City @ Denver . Predominately Orange . May 13, 2011 . August 12, 2013.
  8. Web site: Diegman, Mike . MNF's Greatest Games: Kansas City-Denver 1994 . https://web.archive.org/web/20030216034135/http://espn.go.com/abcsports/mnf/s/greatestgames/kansascitydenver1994.html . dead . February 16, 2003 . ESPN . December 4, 2002 . August 12, 2013.
  9. Web site: Flashback: Montana outduels Elway . Pro Football Hall of Fame . August 12, 2013 . August 12, 2013.
  10. Web site: Broncos Defeat Chiefs in OT; Elway Injured : AFC: Millen steps in to lead Denver to winning field goal in 20-17 victory. Bono plays in place of Montana. . . February 13, 2019 . February 13, 2019.
  11. Web site: N.F.L. WEEK 12; Chiefs Win on Big Boot . New York Times . November 17, 1997 . August 12, 2013.
  12. Web site: Dante does it again . https://web.archive.org/web/20121023185553/http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=231005012 . dead . October 23, 2012 . ESPN . October 5, 2003 . August 12, 2013.
  13. Web site: Klis, Mike . Chiefs coach Haley blows off postgame handshake with McDaniels . The Denver Post . November 14, 2010 . August 30, 2013.
  14. News: Renck, Troy . Peyton Manning, Broncos steal win from Chiefs late in Kansas City . The Denver Post . September 17, 2015 . September 17, 2015.
  15. Web site: Legwold, Jeff . Peyton Manning quiets critics in Broncos' win over Chiefs . . September 17, 2015 . September 17, 2015.
  16. News: Paylor, Terez . Chiefs finally topple Manning and Broncos in 29-13 victory . The Kansas City Star . November 15, 2015 . November 18, 2015.
  17. News: Jhabvala, Nicki . Broncos blow lead late in regulation, lose to Chiefs in overtime . The Denver Post . November 27, 2016 . November 27, 2016.
  18. News: O'Halloran, Ryan . Broncos Analysis: Blown 10-point lead allows Kansas City Chiefs to escape with win . The Denver Post . October 1, 2018 . October 1, 2018.
  19. News: O'Halloran . Ryan . Vic Fangio comes up short with decision making in Broncos' Week 18 loss to Chiefs . The Denver Post . January 9, 2022 . January 9, 2022.
  20. Web site: Melendez Stapleton . Arnie . 2023-10-29 . Wilson, Simmons lead Denver Broncos to first win over Chiefs since 2015 with a 24-9 thrashing . 2024-02-14 . AP News . en.
  21. Web site: Legwold . Jeff . 2023-10-30 . Broncos end 16-game drought vs. Chiefs dating to 2015 season . 2024-02-14 . ESPN.com . en.
  22. Web site: Chiefs block Broncos' potential winner as time expires, hold on for 16-14 win to remain perfect . ESPN . November 10, 2024 . November 10, 2024.