Chiefs Lead Broncos 24-13 in Third Quarter

Kansas City's Noah Gray touchdown catch with 1:38 left in the third quarter gave the Chiefs a double-digit lead over Denver.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Football

Chiefs Lead Broncos 24-13 in Third Quarter

Tight end Noah Gray caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes with 1:38 left in the third quarter, giving the Chiefs a 24-13 lead over the Broncos. The touchdown completed an 11-play, 63-yard drive.

Why it matters

The score gives Kansas City a double-digit cushion while the Broncos have struggled to sustain drives in the second half. The Chiefs also ruled out defensive lineman Peter Woods with a neck injury.

Mahomes finished 22-of-31 for 254 yards and three touchdowns, while the Chiefs outgained Denver 78 yards to 19 yards in the second half. The final result and Woods's injury status beyond the initial ruling remain unresolved.

The players

Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback who threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns in the game.

Noah Gray

Chiefs tight end who caught the 4-yard touchdown pass that gave Kansas City a 24-13 lead.

Peter Woods

Chiefs defensive lineman ruled out of the game with a neck injury.

The details

Mahomes completed an 11-yard pass to Gray on third-and-6 and a 12-yard pass to Cyrus Allen on third-and-12 during the scoring drive. Kansas City's offense has dominated the second half while Denver has managed only three-and-outs.

- The Noah Gray touchdown came with 1:38 left in the third quarter of the game.

Season Trajectory

The Chiefs' double-digit lead over Denver extends Kansas City's recent pattern of controlling its AFC West rivalry with Denver in the second half. The result strengthens Kansas City's position within the division race as the season moves forward.

The 24-13 lead means Kansas City can run out the clock with a two-score margin, which affects how Denver must allocate its remaining possessions. Fantasy managers tracking Mahomes and Gray should note the touchdown and Mahomes's 254 passing yards.

The takeaway

A third-quarter two-score lead can shift a game's pace, and Denver's three three-and-outs in the second half show how quickly momentum can swing. Tracking drive efficiency rather than just the scoreboard helps explain where a game is turning.