The Lead

As the Broncos look toward a divisional matchup against the Chiefs, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto knows the kind of opportunity that awaits this weekend.

"This division's been run by the Chiefs for so many years now," Bonitto said Monday at his second annual Thanksgiving food giveaway. "If we're going to want to be that team to win the division and reach the goals that we said we want, we're going to have to go through them and beat them. We're excited for the opportunity."

The Broncos currently hold the lead in the AFC West, and their chances of winning their first division title since 2015 would gain significant momentum with a win over Kansas City. According to The Athletic’s playoff simulator, the Broncos currently hold a 48 percent chance of capturing the AFC West. With a win on Sunday, Denver's chances would jump to nearly 70 percent.

"It's going to be a really important game for … both teams, honestly," Bonitto said. "We're trying to keep our lead in the division, and they're trying to keep stacking these wins to get up there. It's going to be a big game for both teams. I know we're going to have a good game plan and be really excited for the matchup."

The Broncos head into the Week 11 showdown with a two-game home win streak against Kansas City, and Denver has yet to lose a game at home this season.

Bonitto enters the game on the heels of a 1.5-sack performance against the Raiders that snapped a three-game streak without a sack. The Broncos' sack leader is on the precipice of another double-digit sack season and ranks third in the NFL in quarterback takedowns.

"It was real big," Bonitto said of getting in the backfield against the Raiders. "I was missing being able to tackle quarterbacks. It was really fun for me to get back out there and do that again. Hopefully I can continue to do it."

Bonitto recorded a sack and three quarterback hits on Patrick Mahomes in their only meeting last year, and he added six more quarterback hits across two games in 2023. If Bonitto can get to Mahomes again and help Denver's third-ranked scoring defense post another strong performance, he'll help the Broncos take a step toward a critical division win.