Chiefs vs. Broncos live score, updates, highlights from 2025 NFL Christmas game

Chiefs vs. Broncos live score, updates, highlights from 2025 NFL Christmas game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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The NFL on Christmas Day delivers an AFC West rivalry matchup unlike any seen in the last decade, as the Denver Broncos (12-3) travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs (6-9) at Arrowhead Stadium.

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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 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.

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.

The stark contrast in stakes presents a unique challenge to the streaking Broncos, who must overcome a late-season loss to the Jaguars 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.

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 — a team ready to reclaim the top spot in the AFC West and send a clear message to the rest of the conference.

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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.

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Chiefs vs. Broncos score

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Chiefs vs. Broncos live updates, highlights from NFL Christmas game

9:10 p.m.: Nix 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.

9:08 p.m.: The 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.

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9:03 p.m.: Kansas City comes up short on third down, meaning that it will punt for the third time tonight.

Denver has the ball back looking to take the lead.

9:01 p.m.: The Chiefs have a first down on the first play.

Pacheco takes a carry for 13 yards up to the Kansas City 31.

8:57 p.m.: On 3rd & 8, Nix finds Courtland Sutton downfield but the receiver is unable to hold on. For the first time tonight, the Broncos punt.

Up 7-3, the Chiefs have the ball back at the

8:54 p.m.: The Broncos get close to the line to gain on first down, with Nix throwing to Evan Engram for the first time tonight.

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Denver gets a first down the play after with an Adam Prentice carry,

Chiefs 7, Broncos 3

8:49 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Kansas City takes the lead on the first touchdown of the night.

Oladukon has his first career touchdown pass, hitting the rookie Brashard Smith on the right side and he lunges into the end zone.

The Chiefs lead behind Oladukon and Smith’s first career touchdown

8:47 p.m.: The 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.

End of the first quarter: Broncos 3, Chiefs 0

8:41 p.m.: On 3rd & 6, Oladukon finds Travis Kelce for his first reception of the night in what can be his final game.

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Kelce sits in coverage and goes 11 yards down to the Denver 20.

8:39 p.m.: The Kansas City defense forces a turnover to set up Oladukon and co. in Broncos territory.

On 3rd & 12, Nix rolls out left and targets Humphrey downfield, but Kristian 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.

It’s Nix’s 11th interception on the season, and first ever against the Chiefs.

8:32 p.m.: Chris 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.

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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.

The Broncos, up 3-0, take over at the 18.

8:30 p.m.: Both 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.

Broncos 3, Chiefs 0

8:25 p.m. FIELD GOAL: Now on 3rd & 6 inside the red zone, Nix tries targeting Lil’ Jordan Humphrey but it goes off the receiver’s fingers.

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.

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8:23 p.m.: On the sixth third down of the drive, Nix takes a quarterback sneak up the middle for another first down.

Denver is 6-for-6 on third down as the clock goes under nine minutes.

8:21 p.m.: Denver has a new set of downs inside the 30. Nix connects with his college teammate, Troy Franklin, for six yards down to the 24.

8:18 p.m.: The Broncos are across midfield after Nix’s second completion goes for eight yards to Michael Bandy.

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.

Denver is knocking on the door on the first drive.

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8:16 p.m.: The Chiefs have kicked off and we are underway at Arrowhead Stadium.

Bo Nix and the Broncos offense have the ball first.

8:15 p.m.: Kickoff is moments away from Arrowhead Stadium.

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.

8:10 p.m.: If this is it for Travis Kelce, he will go down as the best player in Arrowhead Stadium history.

7:58 p.m.: For the first time since 2014, the Chiefs will miss the NFL playoffs.

Kansas City sits at 6-9 with two games remaining.

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7:38 p.m.: This is the last “Thursday Night Football” of the season, with Kirk Herbstreit and Al Michaels have the call one last time at Arrowhead Stadium.

It’s one last NFL trip for Peter, as well.

7:31 p.m.: The Denver Broncos have taken the field inn their beautiful alternate helmets.

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.

7:26 p.m.: With the Chiefs trying to play spoiler for the Broncos’ No. 1 seed hopes, the Grinch had to be in the house.

7:15 p.m.: Kansas City has posted its inactives for tonight’s contest.

Of course, Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew are both out with ACL injuries.

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6:55 p.m.: It’s a white Christmas in Kansas City.

In the Christmas spirit, the Broncos are wearing their alternate white helmets to accompany all-white uniforms.

6:36 p.m.: The No. 1 team in the AFC, the Denver Broncos, are in the house.

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.

6:21 p.m.: Travis Kelce has arrived ahead of potentially his final game in Kansas City.

Retirement rumors are continuing to build up for the future Hall of Famer.

5:27 p.m.: The weather in Kansas City is much warmer than a usual Christmas day.

Don’t expect a cold one tonight.

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Where to watch NFL game tonight

Chiefs vs. Broncos start time

The Christmas Day rivalry match between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs is the capstone of the NFL’s holiday tripleheader.

What channel is Chiefs vs. Broncos on today?

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.

NFL Week 17 schedule

Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day)

Saturday, December 27

Sunday, December 28

Monday, December 29