JUMP TO:<\/p>\n
The NFL on Christmas Day delivers an AFC West rivalry matchup unlike any seen in the last decade, as the Denver Broncos<\/a> (12-3) travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs<\/a> (6-9) at Arrowhead Stadium.<\/p>\n In a stunning reversal of roles, the Broncos enter as the dominant force, aiming to secure the AFC West title and remain firmly in the driver’s seat for the conference’s crucial No. 1 overall seed and the coveted first-round bye. With the Los Angeles Chargers<\/a> breathing down their necks, a victory over the crippled Chiefs would officially clinch the AFC West for Denver, ending Kansas City’s unprecedented nine-year reign as division champions and marking this holiday game as perhaps the most significant in Denver’s last ten years.<\/p>\n For the three-time defending AFC Champion Chiefs, this prime-time holiday slot is a bittersweet stage for an unfamiliar role. Having already been officially eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Chiefs have seen their season completely unravel, suffering a losing record for the first time since 2012. The franchise is currently battling devastating injuries, with Mahomes and his backup Gardner Minshew both sidelined by ACL injuries, leaving the offense to be managed by third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun. The team that was once the gatekeeper of the AFC has become a hollow shell of its dynasty self.<\/p>\n The stark contrast in stakes presents a unique challenge to the streaking Broncos, who must overcome a late-season loss to the Jaguars<\/a> that snapped their 11-game winning streak. Head Coach Sean Payton is stressing focus, emphasizing that despite the Chiefs’ struggles, a division title and the No. 1 seed are still their stated goals. A win in Kansas City, where the Broncos have historically struggled, would not only solidify their resurgence but would also serve as the ceremonial passing of the torch, ushering in a new era of dominance in the AFC West.<\/p>\n This Christmas night contest marks a seismic shift in the AFC power structure. What was once the annual, late-season coronation of the Chiefs is now the potential crowning moment for the Broncos \u2014 a team ready to reclaim the top spot in the AFC West and send a clear message to the rest of the conference.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Chiefs vs. Broncos on Christmas. Follow below for complete results from the NFL Week 17 prime-time game.<\/p>\n STREAM: Watch Broncos vs. Chiefs with Amazon Prime Video<\/a><\/p>\n Chiefs vs. Broncos score<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n NFL HQ: Live NFL scores<\/a> | Updated NFL standings<\/a> | Full NFL schedule<\/a><\/p>\n Chiefs vs. Broncos live updates, highlights from NFL Christmas gameHalftime: Chiefs 7, Broncos 6<\/p>\n 9:25 p.m.:\u00a0At halftime, the Chiefs are beating the Broncos 7-6 in an unexpected result.<\/p>\n It hasn’t been an offensive affair. Denver’s two field goals came on long drives and Oladukon’s touchdown pass was the lone one in the game.<\/p>\n The Chiefs will get the ball to start the second half.<\/p>\n Chiefs 7, Broncos 6<\/p>\n 9:20 p.m. FIELD GOAL:\u00a0Denver’s second long drive of the game ends the same as the first: in a field goal.<\/p>\n On third down, Nix finds Sutton but the receiver is not able to hold on in the end zone with two Chiefs defenders on him. Though, Denver is able to cut the lead to one with a Lutz 30-yarder.<\/p>\n Kansas City leads 7-6 with 19 seconds left in the half. The Chiefs get the ball to start the second half as well.<\/p>\n 9:18 p.m.:\u00a0On 3rd & 2, it’s Jaleel McLaughlin who takes a carry up the middle and is loose. He carries it 15 yards down to the Kansas City 24.<\/p>\n The next play, Nix throws the ball on a rope and hits his tight end, Adam Trautman, for another first down and Denver is officially inside the red zone.<\/p>\n 9:14 p.m.:\u00a0At the two-minute warning, Denver faces a 3rd & 2 from the Kansas City 39.<\/p>\n 9:10 p.m.:\u00a0Nix gets another first down with his legs, this time rolling right on 3rd & 6 before scrambling ahead of the chains. This one goes for 14 yards down to the Denver 42.<\/p>\n 9:08 p.m.:\u00a0The Broncos needed a third down to swing momentum, and they get it with Nix swinging a pass to Suotton for seven yards down to the Denver 24.<\/p>\n 9:03 p.m.:\u00a0Kansas City comes up short on third down, meaning that it will punt for the third time tonight.<\/p>\n Denver has the ball back looking to take the lead.<\/p>\n 9:01 p.m.:\u00a0The Chiefs have a first down on the first play.<\/p>\n Pacheco takes a carry for 13 yards up to the Kansas City 31.<\/p>\n 8:57 p.m.:\u00a0On 3rd & 8, Nix finds Courtland Sutton downfield but the receiver is unable to hold on. For the first time tonight, the Broncos punt.<\/p>\n Up 7-3, the Chiefs have the ball back at the<\/p>\n 8:54 p.m.:\u00a0The Broncos get close to the line to gain on first down, with Nix throwing to Evan Engram for the first time tonight.<\/p>\n Denver gets a first down the play after with an\u00a0Adam Prentice carry,<\/p>\n Chiefs 7, Broncos 3<\/p>\n 8:49 p.m. TOUCHDOWN:\u00a0Kansas City takes the lead on the first touchdown of the night.<\/p>\n Oladukon has his first career touchdown pass, hitting the rookie Brashard Smith on the right side and he lunges into the end zone.<\/p>\n Chris Oladokun finds Breshard Smith for a @Chiefs<\/a> lead!<\/p>\n DENvsKC on Prime Video \u2014 NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The Chiefs lead behind Oladukon and Smith’s first career touchdown<\/p>\n 8:47 p.m.:\u00a0The Chiefs did not convert on third down but go for it on 4th & 1 right outside the 10. Though, Hunt gets a carry and moves the chains on fourth down, setting up a 1st & goal.<\/p>\n End of the first quarter: Broncos 3, Chiefs 0<\/p>\n 8:41 p.m.:\u00a0On 3rd & 6, Oladukon finds Travis Kelce for his first reception of the night in what can be his final game.<\/p>\n Kelce sits in coverage and goes 11 yards down to the Denver 20.<\/p>\n 8:39 p.m.:\u00a0The Kansas City defense forces a turnover to set up Oladukon and co. in Broncos territory.<\/p>\n On 3rd & 12, Nix rolls out left and targets Humphrey downfield, but\u00a0Kristian Fulton deflects it and Nick Bolton comes down with the interception. He manages to stay in bounds and Kansas City will start at the 35.<\/p>\n What an interception by Nick Bolton!<\/p>\n DENvsKC on Prime Video \u2014 NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n It’s Nix’s 11th interception on the season, and first ever against the Chiefs.<\/p>\n 8:32 p.m.:\u00a0Chris Oladokun’s first pass goes to Xavier Worthy, and while it looks like a big play Worthy stepped out of bounds on the initial reception.<\/p>\n Then, on 3rd & 9, he looks different and targets Worthy deep downfield but overthrows him. The Denver defense gets a stop and Kansas City has to punt.<\/p>\n The Broncos, up 3-0, take over at the 18.<\/p>\n 8:30 p.m.:\u00a0Both of the Chiefs’ first two plays went to Isaiah Pacheco. The third time, it’s a different running back taking a bullying run inside, with Kareem Hunt moving the chains for a first down.<\/p>\n Broncos 3, Chiefs 0<\/p>\n 8:25 p.m. FIELD GOAL:\u00a0Now on 3rd & 6 inside the red zone, Nix tries targeting Lil’ Jordan Humphrey but it goes off the receiver’s fingers.<\/p>\n Though, Denver drove into the red zone on 13 plays, and on play No. 14, Wil Lutz nails a 27-yarder and Denver strikes first.<\/p>\n 8:23 p.m.:\u00a0On the sixth third down of the drive, Nix takes a quarterback sneak up the middle for another first down.<\/p>\n Denver is 6-for-6 on third down as the clock goes under nine minutes.<\/p>\n 8:21 p.m.:\u00a0Denver has a new set of downs inside the 30. Nix connects with his college teammate, Troy Franklin, for six yards down to the 24.<\/p>\n 8:18 p.m.:\u00a0The Broncos are across midfield after Nix’s second completion goes for eight yards to Michael Bandy.<\/p>\n Now facing a 3rd & 2, Nix finds R.J. Harvey on a screen and the back makes a defender miss and gets the first down.<\/p>\n Denver is knocking on the door on the first drive.<\/p>\n 8:16 p.m.:\u00a0The Chiefs have kicked off and we are underway at Arrowhead Stadium.<\/p>\n Bo Nix and the Broncos offense have the ball first.<\/p>\n 8:15 p.m.:\u00a0Kickoff is moments away from Arrowhead Stadium.<\/p>\n Arrowhead Stadium, the (current) home of the #Chiefs<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/4Bo5JJ6VM7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tejay Cleland (@KWCHTejay) December 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The stakes: the Broncos control their own destiny for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, and with two more wins can clinch outright. For the first time in more than a decade, there are no stakes for the Chiefs.\u00a0<\/p>\n 8:10 p.m.:\u00a0If this is it for Travis Kelce, he will go down as the best player in Arrowhead Stadium history.<\/p>\n .@tkelce<\/a> is a legend in Kansas City \ud83d\ude24 #TNFonPrime<\/a><\/p>\n Watch Broncos vs. Chiefs on @PrimeVideo<\/a> | Live Now pic.twitter.com\/QO2yXPWxxe<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) December 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 7:58 p.m.:\u00a0For the first time since 2014, the Chiefs will miss the NFL playoffs.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s deck these halls\u203c\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/VHam5YgilC<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Kansas City sits at 6-9 with two games remaining.\u00a0<\/p>\n 7:38 p.m.:\u00a0This is the last “Thursday Night Football” of the season, with\u00a0Kirk Herbstreit and Al Michaels have the call one last time at Arrowhead Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n Peter is ready for our final regular season game of the year! @NFLonPrime<\/a> \ud83c\udfc8\ud83d\udc3e#peter<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/6czuk2nZYx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) December 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n It’s one last NFL trip for Peter, as well.<\/p>\n 7:31 p.m.: The Denver Broncos have taken the field inn their beautiful alternate helmets.<\/p>\n Almost go time. \u23f3 pic.twitter.com\/f5BNEAJEWq<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The Broncos control their own destiny for the No. 1 seed, and with two wins over AFC West opponents, the conference will run through Denver.<\/p>\n 7:26 p.m.:\u00a0With the Chiefs trying to play spoiler for the Broncos’ No. 1 seed hopes, the Grinch had to be in the house.<\/p>\n The the the\u2026 THE GRINCH \ud83d\udc9a pic.twitter.com\/Zg7z5Nthct<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 7:15 p.m.:\u00a0Kansas City has posted its inactives for tonight’s contest.<\/p>\n Our inactives for tonight’s Christmas matchup against the Broncos \u2b07\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/lZu9QvHVCN<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Of course, Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew are both out with ACL injuries.<\/p>\n 6:55 p.m.:\u00a0It’s a white Christmas in Kansas City.<\/p>\n White Out \ud83d\udd1c<\/p>\n RT + comment to enter to win a white mini helmet! pic.twitter.com\/5EMbusn3YP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n In the Christmas spirit, the Broncos are wearing their alternate white helmets to accompany all-white uniforms.\u00a0<\/p>\n 6:36 p.m.:\u00a0The No. 1 team in the AFC, the Denver Broncos, are in the house.<\/p>\n On site for #TNFonPrime<\/a> \ud83d\udccd pic.twitter.com\/EvTaclLP9A<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Last season in Arrowhead Stadium, Bo Nix and the Broncos drove into range of a game-winning field goal, but it was blocked and the Chiefs held on to advance to 9-0.\u00a0<\/p>\n CHIEFS BLOCK A FIELD GOAL TO STAY UNDEFEATED \ud83e\udd2f<\/p>\n (via @NFL<\/a>)pic.twitter.com\/YB9ozYBKRg<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 10, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n 6:21 p.m.:\u00a0Travis Kelce has arrived ahead of potentially his final game in Kansas City.<\/p>\n Travis Kelce has arrived for what could be his final game at Arrowhead Stadium – wearing a Chiefs sweatshirt@KCTV5<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/obBfF9b1tw<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Katie Maher (@KatieKCTV5) December 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Retirement rumors<\/a> are continuing to build up for the future Hall of Famer.\u00a0<\/p>\n 5:27 p.m.:\u00a0The weather in Kansas City is much warmer than a usual Christmas day.<\/p>\n Lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you \ud83c\udfb6 pic.twitter.com\/j3SBw3FUpP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Don’t expect a cold one tonight.\u00a0<\/p>\n Where to watch NFL game tonightChiefs vs. Broncos start timeDate:\u00a0Thursday, Dec. 25Time:\u00a08:20 p.m. ET\u00a0<\/p>\n The Christmas Day rivalry match between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs is the capstone of the NFL’s holiday tripleheader.<\/p>\n What channel is Chiefs vs. Broncos on today?<\/p>\n The Chiefs and Broncos will be on Prime Video on Thursday night. Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (color commentator) will be on the call, with Kaylee Hartung on the sidelines.<\/p>\n
Also streaming on @NFLPlus<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/sSXCOmqDnd<\/a><\/p>\n
Also streaming on @NFLPlus<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rGGpPersjQ<\/a><\/p>\n