Thursday’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos was actually kind of fun to watch. If you squinted really hard, it looked a bit like the old days — when meaningless late-season games meant resting starters for a playoff run. We saw some fire from some veterans, some signs of life from under-utilized players, a close game — and a drive that almost became a classic. That’s more than I expected to see in Week 17’s matchup.
Here are a few who stood out against the Denver Broncos.
Winners
Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Cornerback Nohl Williams: The rookie from Cal once again showed why fans and pundits have been pounding the table for him. We’ve come to expect he’ll be great in outside coverage — but on Thursday, he also showed tremendous physicality and instincts as a run defender. Williams battled through blocks for three tackles-for-loss against the Broncos. He looks like a guy who should get 100% of future snaps.
Safety Bryan Cook: His ascension has been lost in 2025’s frustrating season. He was tremendous in this matchup (and for most of the season) as an enforcer all over the field. He looked like the type of player who can help define the defense’s identity.
Cornerback Kristian Fulton and linebacker Nick Bolton: Each had very solid individual games. Fulton finally showed why he was the missing piece in the cornerback room, and Bolton fought through injuries and finished with a pass defended and double-digit tackles. But the play they made together was spectacular. At the close of the first quarter, the Chiefs — down 3-0 — got pressure on third down. Fulton made a tremendous play on the ball, tipping it into the air so Bolton could secure a diving interception. It was one of the best defensive plays of the season.
Tackles Chu Godrick and Esa Pole: These guys have limited football experience, so they would represent the third-or-fourth-best option on a typical depth chart. But they’re doing everything that could be asked of them — and more. Thursday’s results were remarkable: just one sack allowed, no false starts, no holding calls and some workable running lanes.
Running back Kareem Hunt: Hunt averaged over 5 yards per carry in limited action against the Broncos, converting on short yardage like he has all season. Who needs the “tush push” when you’ve got this tough veteran? If the Chiefs can find a featured back for 2026, they could already have their short-yardage guy in the house.
Offensive weapon Brashard Smith: Yes… this is how we should list him heading into 2026. And yes…he should be more involved in the offense. He might also be the best returner on the team; his 44-yard punt return was one of the game’s biggest plays. It’s not clear why the team couldn’t find a role for this kid sooner — but like with Hunt, he’s ready for a role alongside 2026’s starting running back. In Smith’s case, he would be the Chiefs’ “gadget guy.”
Quarterback Chris Oladokun: Given a near-impossible situation, Kansas City’s third-string quarterback made some plays against the Broncos. He showed off his mobility, didn’t turn the ball over and connected with Smith for his (and Smith’s) first NFL touchdown. If we ignore the stats and the finish, it was a great day for Oladokun.
Tight end Travis Kelce: The guy can still play the game. His leadership and passion were among the reasons the Chiefs’ offense made this one close. Whether or not this was the last time we’ll see Kelce at Arrowhead, he showed once again why he’s the GOAT. He’s 36 years old and engaged to a billionaire — but he was still fighting tooth-and-nail until the final snap in an otherwise meaningless game. He still gets open, still commands the attention of defenses and still rallies his teammates. Here’s hoping he can do that for another season.
Losers
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Pass rushers Charles Omenihu, George Karlaftis, and Chris Jones: When there isn’t enough pass rush, that leads to long conversions — and the Broncos converted 12 of 19 attempts on third and fourth down. These three players managed one sack of quarterback Bo Nix. Jones, who made that play, also made the boneheaded mistake that allowed the Broncos to go up seven after the two-minute warning. Denver tried to draw the Kansas City defense offsides on a fourth-and-1 — and Jones obliged. Without the penalty, the Broncos would have probably kicked a field goal — and the Chiefs would have been in a much better position to tie (or even win) the game.
Wide receiver Jalen Royals: What is it going to take for the rookie from Utah State to get an opportunity? He got an NFL start — and thenbarely played. Five snaps and no targets is emblematic of a redshirt season for the rookie. But he’s not injured — and might be able to help this team win. But there’s no way to know until he gets a real chance.
Wide receiver Xavier Worthy: He’s got all the ability in the world, but something has been missing. Call it effort, precision, football IQ or something else. Whatever it is, Worthy hasn’t been able to build upon a promising rookie season. After scoring nine total touchdowns last season, he’s got one in 2025. In this game, he turned three targets into zero catches, and one run into one yard.
Quarterback Chris Oladokun and tight end Travis Kelce: Yes… both were winners in the previous section. But they couldn’t come through in the movie-script ending in the fourth quarter: a brilliant final drive on Kelce’s shoulders, a touchdown in the closing moments and a two-point conversion to Kelce for the win. They got the first part right, but that’s where it ended. Oladokun’s fourth-down pass to Hollywood Brown in the end zone with seconds remaining was just out of the receiver’s reach — and that was the ball game. Once again, it left us with that almost feeling.
Please note: the labels “winners” and “losers” are not judgments of talent or character. They simply reflect the author’s opinion regarding a single-game performance. No disrespect is intended.
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