Mile High Magic: Broncos-Chiefs Game was Electric

New Mile High Stadium was rockin' on Sunday; that Broncos win over the Chiefs was one of the top 5 games I've ever been to.

I should probably go back and look at my ticket stubs from childhood; I'm not sure how many Broncos games I've been to over the years. Definitely more as a child with my dad than as an adult; before last year, I hadn't been since 2016.

But lately, I've been back to New Mile High Stadium three times in the last two years. And they've been two special seasons to attend games. 2024, Bo Nix's rookie season—if he is indeed the franchise QB of the future—and the first time Denver made the playoffs since Super Bowl 50. This year, the Broncos aren't just making the playoffs, they're (probably) going to win the AFC West and possibly the entire AFC. Sean Payton has certainly turned this team into legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

As I wrote about earlier this year, falling back in love with Broncos fandom has been a blast.

And even though I already wrote about how Sean Payton and Vance Joseph just out-coached Andy Reid and Spags, I couldn't leave this game without talking about how great the fans were.

New Mile High Stadium was Electric on Sunday

Broncos Country really brought Mile High alive on Sunday in the Broncos win over the Chiefs.

Maybe it was the fact the Chiefs had beaten the Broncos 16 straight times, from that Super Bowl 50 season in 2015-2023, when Sean Payton became the streak breaker, and fans had a lot of pent-up aggression toward Kansas City.

Or the fact that everyone with a podcast, radio show, or microphone in a broadcast booth basically named Patrick Mahomes the second coming of football Jesus.

Whatever it was, Broncos Country was making sure their team would beat the Chiefs, giving Denver a true homefield advantage.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Denver Broncos (@broncos)

When you watch the video, and see the TV cameras shaking, that's because the entire stadium was rattling.

I had a great time explaining that to my Chiefs fans friends—they're good guys, I swear—how original Mile High Stadium (aka Bears Stadium) was constructed with metal flooring. So, when you walked up the ramps, the entire thing would flex and bounce and the entire stadium felt like it could fall over when you were in the nosebleeds.

Pat Bowlen (RIP) wanted New Mile High Stadium erected to mimic the original in many ways.

• He wanted to keep the horseshoe shape; check.
• Bowlen wanted to have a similar number of seats; the new stadium holds only 2 more; check.
• He built the new South Stands (although they're not as accessible as at Mile High); check.
• And he wanted the new stadium to have metal flooring to mimic the "Mile High Thunder"; double check.

Chiefs fans in attendance—and there were many in the nosebleeds where I was—were simultaneously annoyed by all the stomping and shaking, and then they seemed jealous and stomped themselves when the Broncos were on offense.

For the most part, I still think old Mile High Stadium was louder than the new joint. Partially because fans were just crazier back in the day. And probably partially due to the near-vertical design, and 50-year old metal.

Still, Sunday was special.

While us fans didn't cause any false starts by the Chiefs, the noise seemed to hamper communication some, as Mahomes tapped his fingers to his palms asking for the play calls.

And let's face it, Mahomes was merely human versus the Broncos; we gotta take some credit for that.

While head coaches often thank the home fans after wins, this was something different. Payton seemed genuinely impressed by the noise Broncos Country brought to the game.

For me, it was awesome. Probably the loudest game I've ever been to at New Mile High outside of the 2012 Tebow to DT playoff game.

The Top 5 Denver Broncos Games I Ever Attended

Growing up, going to a Broncos game was a special treat.

I don't think it was always a once-a-year type deal, but my dad tried to take me annually to a game. So, given that, I'd guess I've been to 15-20 Broncos games all-time.

There were definitely a bunch I can just barely remember from childhood. What stands out is a memory of a snow game where I forgot my gloves. Dad was pissed, but gave me his.

I can't remember if this was the same game or not, but I definitely remember one snow game where dad ordered a beer and by the time we were back to our seats it had frozen.

And another Broncos-Chiefs game where we all harassed Marty Schottenheimer by chanting "Marty...Marty..." with the Broncos up big late.

Here's a quick look at the top 5 Broncos games I've ever attended.

2012 Tebow to Thomas Playoff game

This game had to make the list for so many reasons. It's my only playoff game and a special win for the Broncos. That 2011 season was crazy; Tim Tebow stepped in as the starter and won seven of his first eight starts. Despite losing the last three games of the regular season, the Broncos won the AFC West at 8-8.

They hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers and, man, were there a lot of Steelers fans in attendance that January day. The one seated next to me spun his Terrible Towel around all game long, but was chill, and even bought me a beer. Pittsburgh was 12-4 and even Broncos Country expected them to win, but somehow, the Tebow magic continued that afternoon. New Mile High exploded with emotion when Tebow hit DT and Thomas took off for the 80-yard game-winning touchdown.

1997 Broncos - Patriots MNF undefeated game

Watching the Denver Broncos win their first Super Bowl was a dream for a football-obsessed 12-year old boy. Going to a game that year was really special, too.

Of course, we knew the Broncos were good, but we had no idea they'd win it all at the end of the year.

My dad found us tickets 20 rows up in the South Stands for Broncos-Patriots. At the time, New England was 4-0 and Denver was 5-0; it was the latest in a year at that point two undefeated teams met. It was John Elway vs. Drew Bledsoe. Pete Carroll vs. Mike Shanahan.

But it was really a Terrell Davis masterpiece; 2 TDs on 171 yards. Bledsoe threw an early pick that was taken to the house by John Mobley, and Elway threw to interceptions in the game, too. But John did run a score in during the 3rd and Denver won 34-13. My dad almost got into a fight with two Patriots fans who rode the RTD with us to the game.

2016 Broncos - Chiefs OT loss

This is the only loss on the list, and it's the last time I went to a Broncos-Chiefs game before Sunday. It was also the last game I went to with my brother before Sunday, and the only game my wife has been to.

Man, what a game. It was a few days after Thanksgiving, and my wife and brother came together to buy the tickets because my dad passed away in 2015. It was a way to celebrate him.

It was the beginning of the post-Manning era, with Trevor Siemian starting at QB. He began the game by giving up a safety; whoops. Denver stormed back to take the 10-9 lead just after halftime and it was a back-and-forth battle all night. Bennie Fowler caught a touchdown from Siemian with 3:00 on the clock to lead 24-16. All the defense had to do was keep Alex Smith out of the end zone.

But Smith led a 75-yard drive, capped off with a Tyreek Hill touchdown that, from the stands, didn't look like he got in. Hill seemed to be short and the clock should've run out. Broncos Country in attendance was pissed, but after watching the replay the other day, he didn't have control of the ball until he was in the end zone; it was called correctly.

Onto overtime it went; Brandon McManus hit a 44-yard field goal and Cairo Santos tied it up with a 37-yarder. Then the Broncos drive stalled, and Gary Kubiak decided to kick a 62-yard field goal, which was no good. It also gave the Chiefs a short field and Santos hit the 34-yarder to win.

I'll never forget the Chiefs fans in attendance who were rubbing in the loss. Of course, Sunday, mocking them, felt good.

2024 Casa Bonitto Game

Last year, the Broncos were 8-5 heading into their bye on a 3-game win streak. They had the Colts up next at home and a friend's coworker needed to unload some really great seats. Much like the Broncos did all year long—and this year too—they trailed early, 10-0 to Indy. Bo Nix connected with Adam Trautman for a touchdown, and it was 13-7 at halftime.

That's when Denver came alive. They scored 24 unanswered points. A fumble led to a field goal. Then, Marvin Mims' electric 61-yard punt return set up a Nix to Nate Adkins touchdown.

But the biggest play of the say was Nik Bonitto picking off a pass that went backwards from Adonai Mitchell in a throwback attempt to Anthony Richardson; Bonitto grabbed it and went to the house.

Bonitto's play was special because only Von Miller had scored twice on interception/fumbles like that in his career. It's why Bonitto is this team's Von Miller.

New Mile High erupted in ecstasy and for that moment, was probably louder than any time last Sunday.

2025 Broncos - Chiefs

I have to say, however optimistic we all were in the stands, it was a cautious optimism. This is the Chiefs, after all. We've seen Mahomes and Reid beat the Broncos when they should've lost, and even Reid beat Denver with other QBs like the aforementioned Smith.

It certainly wasn't a perfect start—Payton called a halfback pass from R.J. Harvey to Bo Nix that was almost picked at Kansas City's 12 yard line—but Wil Lutz nailed the field goal. It was similar on the second drive; Marvin Mims' brilliant punt return set the Broncos up at K.C.'s 11 yard line, but Denver couldn't punch it in. Still, a 6-0 lead was a faster start than most games this year.

K.C. tied it up at halftime, but apparently Payton told the sideline reporters the Chiefs are a "first-half team" and he was confident Denver would win.

Kansas City stormed out of the half until Mahomes threw an uncharacteristic interception to Ja'Quan McMillian. Denver's offense responded with a masterful 89-yard drive capped off with Jaleel McLaughin's first touchdown of the season.

K.C. responded with a TD of their own—a Kareem Hunt run—to tie it at 13 to start the 4th.

When the Broncos got the ball back, Nix connected with rookie Pat Bryant for a brilliant 48-yard gain, but the drive stalled and the Broncos kicked a field goal.

That's when the Chiefs answered with a touchdown, and Travis Kelce taunted the fans. Whoops, too soon, old man.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NFL on CBS (@nfloncbs)

The Denver defense forced back-to-back 3-and-outs while the offense booted home field goals. That included McMillian's amazing sack of Mahomes on 3rd and 10 with less than four minutes to play.

That's probably the play of the season.

Still, tied 19-19, the offense needed to mount one more drive. Nix was extraordinary on that drive. Specifically, his scramble on 3rd and 15, then the throw to Courtland Sutton for 20 yards was amazing.

A few plays later, Nix connected with Troy Franklin on a back-shoulder pass for 32 yards and into field goal range.

This time, the line blocked well and Lutz booted home the game-winner.

Here's a look at Kelce, sad on the sidelines as the kick went through, along with other teams the Broncos have beaten this year.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BroncosEra ™ (@denverbroncos.era)