Chiefs report card vs. Broncos: A new starting quarterback gets his first grade
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chiefs lost 20-13; Chris Oladokun made his first start and led three scoring drives.
- Broncos converted 11 of 18 third downs and sustained long drives against Chiefs defense.
- Special teams swung momentum: Brashard Smith 45-yard return and Butker field goals.
.The Denver Broncos ended a nine-game losing streak at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Christmas night in Kansas City.
But the Chiefs, 13 1/2-point underdogs, made them earn it. Denver prevailed 20-13 to improve to 13-3.
Here’s our weekly report card for the Chiefs, with a look ahead to their final game of the 2025 season:
KC STAR OF THE GAME
Rookie running back Brashard Smith took advantage of his increased duties with a touchdown reception and a long punt return. If he gets more of a leading role next season, remember this game as a turning point.
Next: The Chiefs conclude the regular season with a Week 18 game at the Las Vegas Raiders. The game will be played on Jan. 4 or 5. Broadcast information will be determined later.
REPORT CARD
Passing offense: D
Quarterback Chris Oladokun made his first NFL start after getting the bulk of the playing time last week. And he kept the Chiefs close.
With injured starter Patrick Mahomes watching from a suite, Oladokun led three scoring drives, including two that started in Broncos territory. The Chiefs finished with 139 total yards, slightly better than the 133 they mustered in last week’s loss at Tennessee.
Most impressive about Smith’s 5-yard touchdown reception Thursday evening was his broken tackle. Denver linebacker Alex Singleton had his arms around him, but Smith broke free and cruised into the end zone for his first NFL TD.
With KC trailing by a touchdown in the final minute, Oladokun got the Chiefs to the Broncos’ 21 but couldn’t finish the task. He tossed three straight incompletions and ended his night 13 of 22 for 56 yards.
The Broncos entered the game leading the NFL with 63 sacks, but they got to Oladokun just once. The Chiefs could have used a little more of his scrambling ability.
Rushing offense: C
Isiah Pacheco got things going early with a hard-charging 8-yard run. Kareem Hunt, as he’s done all season, picked up a first down on a fourth-and-1 to keep alive a touchdown drive.
But there wasn’t enough against one of the league’s top defenses. Pacheco added a 13-yard gain, which turned out to be the team’s longest play through three quarters. The Chiefs needed to keep drives alive with the running game, and it didn’t happen.
KC finished with 139 total yards, 82 on the ground.
Passing defense: B
Seldom-used defensive back Kristian Fulton made big contributions throughout the game. His diving pass deflection ended up in the arms of Nick Bolton for an interception that set up the Chiefs’ first-half touchdown.
Fulton and Bryan Cook teamed up to jar a touchdown reception away from Courland Sutton just before halftime. The Broncos settled for a field goal. Fulton also had a nice pass breakup against Sutton in the fourth quarter.
But the Chiefs couldn’t come up with the stop on third-and-10 from the 45. Bo Nix found Lil’Jordan Humphrey for 17 yards to set up the go-ahead touchdown.
Rushing defense: C
The Broncos weren’t about the big play in this one. Their first three scoring drives lasted at least eight minutes, and on each of them they were masters of converting third downs.
For the game, Denver was successful on 11 of 18 third-down attempts, including the final touchdown.
Chris Jones, who recorded his fifth sack, also contributed a big gaffe. He jumped offside on Denver’s fourth-and-2 from the KC 9 with the score 13-13 with 2 minutes remaining. The Chiefs’ only penalty of the game gave Denver a first down and forced the Chiefs to burn two timeouts before getting the ball back trailing by seven.
The Broncos rushed for 129 yards, with three players getting at least 40. Nix did much of the damage on scrambles.
Special teams: B
Smith’s 45-yard punt return — the Chiefs’ longest of the season — set up Harrison Butker’s 47-yard field goal that tied the game 13-13 with 8:05 remaining. Butker earlier hit a 53-yarder, too.
It was a nice night overall for KC’s special teams, as Smith showed flashes of becoming an explosive return option.
This story was originally published December 25, 2025 at 10:30 PM.