Broncos, Bo Nix deliver big statement with win over Chiefs

If you had any doubts as to whether or not the Denver Broncos are for real this season, you can probably get rid of those thoughts after Sunday's 22-19 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Not only did the Broncos score a major win for themselves to take full control of the AFC West, they also delivered a huge punch to the Chiefs' playoff chances.

What makes it all even more impressive is they did it with a banged up roster that was missing starting running back J.K. Dobbins and defensive standouts Pat Surtain II and Alex Singleton. None of it mattered. 

No mistaking it now: Broncos are for real

Sunday turned out to be a fantastic day for the Broncos and their pursuit of a division title. Not only did they secure a second-straight winning season, they also increased their lead in the AFC West race.

Their win, combined with the Los Angeles Chargers' loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, gives them a two-game lead for the top spot and a shocking four-game lead over the Chiefs, who currently in third-place. 

The Broncos have not won a division title since their Super Bowl-winning season in 2015 and are now in the driver's seat to do it this season. They still have one more head-to-head game with the Chiefs and Chargers, but they also have a nice cushion built in with a manageable schedule in the next few weeks. 

Sunday's win was the Broncos' eighth in a row, and two of those wins came against last year's Super Bowl participants, Kansas City and the Philadelphia Eagles. 

The most encouraging thing for the Broncos on Sunday is the fact second-year quarterback Bo Nix outplayed Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes and made all of the big throws in the big moments. So much of the Chiefs' run of dominance over the past decade has been about their ability to make just enough plays in all of the close games to find ways to win. 

On Sunday, Nix and the Broncos made the plays.