Five things we learned as Broncos stun Chiefs, seize first place in AFC West

Denver’s quarterback delivered another remarkable finish, while a vastly improved defense and two emerging running backs helped the Broncos take control of the AFC West

The Broncos got one of the best wins by any team this season, coming back from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Chiefs 28-24. Denver got massive, heroic efforts from its offense and its defense, especially in the fourth quarter. Sean Payton and the Broncos moved to the top of the AFC West at 6-2 and erased the head-to-head advantage the Chiefs had entering the game. The Broncos have won four straight games, surviving a brutal opening stretch; they have already faced the Chiefs (twice), the Jaguars, the Rams, the 49ers and the Seahawks. A winning record would have been a success, but 6-2 is a resounding one.

It's not just a big result for the division and potential playoff implications, but for what is says about both teams. Games like these — postseason-caliber matchups — teach us a lot about where both clubs are and where they could be headed. These are the five lessons we learned. One didn't need to watch the first three quarters to comprehend how Bo Nix was playing. The boos on the broadcast told the story. Such is life for a quarterback: goat in the eyes of fans one minute, GOAT the next. Entering the fourth quarter, Nix was 15-for-26 for 153 yards. Just seven of his 26 attempts had gone for first