When Denver Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs 22-19 on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Empower Field at Mile High, it wasn’t just a win—it was a seismic shift in the AFC West. The victory ended the Chiefs’ nine-year reign as division champions and catapulted the Broncos into sole possession of first place for the first time since 2015. At the heart of the upset? Second-year wide receiver Troy Franklin, whose explosive route-running and uncanny ability to transition mid-route turned him into Sean Payton’s secret weapon.
The Rise of a Fourth-Round Gamble
Franklin, drafted 106th overall out of the University of Oregon in 2024, wasn’t supposed to be the breakout star. Not with veteran Courtland Sutton entrenched as the team’s top target. But something changed in November. Over the four games leading up to the Chiefs showdown, Franklin was targeted 37 times by second-year quarterback Bo Nix—a staggering number for a player in his sophomore season. He turned those chances into four touchdowns. Sutton? Just 26 targets and one score in the same stretch. Payton didn’t just notice—he celebrated it. "He’s getting more snaps," Payton said in a pre-game interview. "One of the things he can do well is transition. It’s one thing to say run fast sideways and then make a left-hand turn and then run a route. He can bend. It’s a little bit like last year—remember in training camp we saw the progression we saw with Marvin Mims?" Mims, also a second-year receiver drafted in 2023, had quietly emerged as a red-zone threat in 2024. Franklin, it turned out, was following the same arc—faster, sharper, and more unpredictable.Why This Matchup Mattered More Than the Record
The Chiefs entered the game at 5-4, their worst start since 2017. Their nine straight AFC West titles—a streak that began in 2016 and survived every injury, coaching change, and roster overhaul—were suddenly in jeopardy. Meanwhile, the Broncos, who started the season 1-2, had rattled off seven straight wins. Their 8-2 record wasn’t just impressive—it was historic for a team that hadn’t won more than eight games since 2016. Payton’s offensive adjustments were deliberate. He leaned into motion-heavy schemes, exploiting the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s reliance on pre-snap disguise. Spagnuolo’s unit thrives on confusion, but Franklin’s ability to change direction mid-route—without breaking stride—made that confusion useless. He wasn’t just running patterns; he was reading coverages before the snap, adjusting his route on the fly. "He’s not just fast," one anonymous defensive assistant told reporters after the game. "He’s thinking two steps ahead. That’s rare for a guy his age."
The Turning Point: A 48-Yard Touchdown
The game’s decisive moment came with 7:12 left in the fourth quarter. The Broncos led 19-16. Third-and-8 at their own 32-yard line. Nix took the snap, rolled right, and fired a laser to Franklin, who had started in the backfield, motioned left, then cut sharply across the middle. Two Chiefs defenders bit on the fake screen. Franklin slipped between them, turned upfield, and sprinted 48 yards into the end zone. The crowd—76,125 strong—erupted. Payton, arms raised, didn’t smile. He nodded. As if to say, "I told you so." It was the kind of play that doesn’t show up in traditional stats. No catch-and-run. No contested grab. Just pure route mastery. And it was the direct result of Payton’s trust in a player many thought would spend his rookie year on special teams.What This Means for the AFC West
The Broncos’ 9-2 record gives them a two-game lead over the Chiefs, who now sit at 5-5. For the first time since 2015, Denver holds sole possession of first place in the division after Week 10. The Chiefs’ dynasty—built on Patrick Mahomes’ genius and Andy Reid’s playbook wizardry—isn’t dead. But it’s vulnerable. And the Broncos? They’re no longer the underdogs. They’re the team everyone’s chasing. Payton’s pre-game comments about Franklin weren’t just coaching talk—they were a roadmap. "We didn’t draft him to be a third option," Payton said in the post-game locker room. "We drafted him to be a game-changer. And tonight, he was." The Broncos’ next test? A home game against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 24, 2025. But make no mistake: this win over Kansas City wasn’t just about points. It was about perception. The Chiefs had been the standard. Now, the Broncos are rewriting it.
Behind the Scenes: A Coach’s Patience
Payton didn’t wait until Week 11 to see Franklin’s potential. Back on June 13, 2025, during organized team activities, Payton told reporters Franklin had a "good spring." That was early. Most coaches wouldn’t have mentioned a fourth-round pick by name in mid-June. But Payton does things differently. He watches. He waits. He trusts the process. That patience paid off. Franklin didn’t just improve—he evolved. And now, he’s the reason the Chiefs’ nine-year reign is over.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Troy Franklin’s performance compare to Courtland Sutton’s in the four games before the Chiefs game?
Over the four games leading up to the November 16 matchup, Troy Franklin was targeted 37 times and scored four touchdowns, while Courtland Sutton had just 26 targets and one touchdown. Franklin’s average of 9.25 targets per game nearly doubled Sutton’s 6.5, and his touchdown production was four times higher. This shift in offensive focus signaled a clear coaching decision to prioritize speed and route versatility over veteran reliability.
Why was Franklin’s ability to transition routes so effective against the Chiefs’ defense?
The Chiefs’ defense, led by Steve Spagnuolo, relies heavily on pre-snap disguises and delayed blitzes to confuse receivers. Franklin’s unique ability to change direction mid-route—without losing speed or momentum—made those disguises ineffective. He could adjust his path based on coverage alignment before the ball was even thrown, turning what should have been tight coverage into open lanes. This was a key reason the Chiefs’ secondary couldn’t contain him.
What’s the historical significance of the Broncos’ win over the Chiefs?
The Broncos’ 22-19 victory ended the Chiefs’ nine-year streak of AFC West titles (2016–2024), the longest divisional run in NFL history since the 1970s merger. It was also the first time since 2015 that Denver held sole possession of first place in the division after Week 10. The win marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new power structure in the AFC West.
How has Sean Payton’s coaching style influenced Troy Franklin’s development?
Payton is known for giving young players room to grow, even if they’re not immediate starters. He identified Franklin’s route-running potential early, during June 2025 OTAs, and gradually increased his snaps. Unlike coaches who rush rookies into high-leverage roles, Payton let Franklin earn trust through consistency. That patience allowed Franklin to develop without pressure—and ultimately thrive under the brightest lights.
What’s next for the Denver Broncos after this win?
The Broncos (9-2) now lead the AFC West by two games and have a home game against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 24, 2025. With their eight-game winning streak intact and the defense improving under coordinator Ejiro Evero, they’re emerging as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The Chiefs (5-5) face a must-win stretch, and the AFC playoff picture has completely shifted.
Did the crowd at Empower Field at Mile High play a role in the outcome?
Absolutely. After the game, Sean Payton specifically praised the 76,125 fans in attendance, calling them "outstanding." The noise disrupted Chiefs’ audibles and forced Patrick Mahomes into rushed decisions in critical moments, including a fourth-quarter interception. Empower Field has long been known for its raucous atmosphere, but this game’s energy felt different—like a turning point in franchise history.
