Contrasting journeys have defined the 2024 campaigns of the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, but none of that history will dull the edge when these longtime rivals collide.
The stage could not be more fitting. An NFL Week 17 showdown on Christmas brings playoff-level drama for quarterback Bo Nix and the Broncos (12–3), with the stakes as high as they’ve been in years. Denver enters the holiday matchup with a clear path toward both the AFC West crown and potential conference supremacy. A victory, combined with a Patriots loss and losses or ties by the Chargers, Bills, and Jaguars, would elevate the Broncos to the No. 1 seed in the AFC. At a minimum, Denver can clinch the division outright with a win and a Chargers loss or tie, or even with a tie paired with a Chargers loss.
For a team that has spent recent seasons chasing relevance, the opportunity to seize control of the AFC on Christmas Day represents more than just another win. It’s a defining moment a chance to announce Denver’s return to elite status, knock off a familiar rival, and turn a holiday rivalry game into a potential franchise milestone.
