Denver Broncos rout Kansas City Chiefs to lock up playoff spot

DENVER (AP) — Bo Nix celebrated the top of Denver’s eight-year playoff drought with a bunch of latest buddies.

The rookie quarterback circled Empower Discipline whereas handing out high-fives to followers after he handed for 321 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 38-0 rout of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ bevy of backups on Sunday.

“I discovered I’ve bought to run a bit extra in the course of the week as a result of that’s an extended lap,” Nix stated. “I used to be a bit drained on the finish. However the followers deserve it, it’s been a very long time coming.”

Denver (10-7) buried almost a decade’s price of futility and frustrations by returning to the postseason get together for the primary time since successful Tremendous Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.

The Broncos will go to Buffalo (13-4) for a wild-card sport Sunday after handing the two-time defending Tremendous Bowl champion Chiefs their first shutout since Dec. 16, 2012, at Oakland.

Nix went 26 for 29 whereas setting franchise information for completion share (89.7) and most completions to start out a sport (18).

“It is enjoyable to clinch a playoff spot within the final sport of the yr in opposition to a divisional group,” stated Nix, who additionally set an NFL document with 19 landing throws at residence in his rookie season. “However now playoff time begins, and our objective wasn’t simply to make the playoffs, regardless that it hadn’t been carried out shortly.”

Having already secured the AFC’s No. 1 seed and sole first-round bye of their quest for an unprecedented three-peat, Chiefs coach Andy Reid sat Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and a bunch of different starters.

“My hat goes off to Denver. Nice alternative for them to get into the playoffs and did a pleasant job at this time,” Reid stated. “Sean (Payton) has carried out a superb job with that group. A optimistic for us we bought to play numerous younger guys. That have is invaluable, particularly in opposition to a superb soccer group.”

Carson Wentz bought the beginning at quarterback and fizzled in his first prolonged motion since Week 18 with the Rams final season. He was 10 of 17 for 98 yards and was sacked 4 occasions by the league’s finest go rush (62 sacks).

“We didn’t play nice as a group. I didn’t play my finest, both,” Wentz stated. “Transfer on from this one fairly fast. It was enjoyable to get on the market, give myself and numerous guys an opportunity to only go on the market and compete. However clearly they have been the higher group at this time.”

Denver beat Kansas Metropolis (15-2) for simply the second time within the final 19 video games between the groups.

Nix’s 4 TD passes gave him 29 for the season, second-most by a rookie in NFL historical past, behind solely Justin Herbert’s 31 in 2020. He hit Marvin Mims twice, Courtland Sutton (5 occasions for 98 yards) and Devaughn Vele for scores.

Vele’s TD was meant for Adam Trautman however ricocheted off cornerbacks Nazeeh Johnson (twice) and Keith Taylor earlier than Vele cradled the catch simply earlier than tumbling out of the again of the top zone, extending Denver’s result in 21-0.

“Vele ran the improper route,” Nix stated, “however he did not surrender on the play. … Truly, it was excellent. I am glad he did precisely what he did and he bought a landing out of it.”

That wild conclusion capped an 18-play, 89-yard drive that lasted greater than 11 minutes, conserving Wentz cooling his cleats on the sideline subsequent to Mahomes, who was decked out in a white hoodie.

“It felt prefer it lasted without end,” Payton stated.

The Chiefs definitely concurred.

After Harrison Butker was vast left on a 51-yard discipline objective — his first miss in 18 tries at Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive — Wil Lutz gave Denver a 24-0 halftime lead by nailing a 33-yarder with 3 seconds left that got here proper after Nix’s first incompletion, to a wide-open Javonte Williams.

“I am going to kick myself for some time for not going 19 for 19 and hitting Javon for a landing,” Nix stated.

The Chiefs will not play once more till Jan. 18 or 19, that means Mahomes, who final performed on Christmas Day, and different stars who sat this one out can have at the least 24 days between video games.

Denver’s playoff drought was the longest for a group after elevating the Lombardi Trophy by 4 years.

The Broncos’ clincher got here 3,255 days after Von Miller led them to a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers on Feb. 7, 2016, and their reward because the AFC’s seventh seed is a visit to face Miller subsequent weekend.

“Man, we stay up for the problem,” Payton stated.

The Payments have been the one different group to beat Kansas Metropolis this season, 30-21 in Week 11.

The Chiefs’ loss ended their six-game win streak however eradicated the prospect of them having to probably face Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow sooner or later within the playoffs.

The Chiefs deliberate on staying in Denver for the night time due to a winter storm that additionally delayed their flight into Colorado for a number of hours Saturday.

Accidents

Chiefs DB Chamarri Conner (shoulder) was injured within the first half and did not return. Additionally sitting out for Kansas Metropolis have been RB Isiah Pacheco (ribs), RT Jawaan Taylor (knee), CB Jaylen Watson (ankle), WR Mecole Hardman (knee), DE George Karlaftis, CB Trent McDuffie and DT Chris Jones (calf), amongst others.

The Broncos head into the playoffs as wholesome as they have been all season.

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