Patrick Mahomes didn’t need a miraculous comeback for the Kansas City Chiefs in their regular season finale on Saturday night. His defense did it for him.

The Chiefs forced a fumble and got an 86-yard scoop and score to put away the Denver Broncos, 28-24, at Invesco Field in Denver.

Kansas City Chiefs Nick Bolton
Melvin Gordon #25 of the Denver Broncos fumbles the ball during the fourth quarter recovered by Nick Bolton #54 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field At Mile High on January 08, 2022 in Denver, Colorado.
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

The Chiefs currently hold the AFC’s best regular season record at 12-5, and a Tennessee Titans (11-5) loss on Sunday will guarantee the Chiefs the AFC’s top seed and the only first-round bye. A Titans win at Houston puts Kansas City as the conference’s No. 2 seed and hosting a wild card playoff game next weekend.

Kansas City scored the first touchdown of the game, but the Chiefs found themselves playing from behind until the fourth quarter, when a big defensive play happened.

The Broncos, who led 21-20 at the time, had driven deep into Chiefs territory and faced a 2nd-and-2 at the Chiefs’ 9-yard line. Chiefs linebacker Melvin Ingram burst through the line and hit Broncos running back Melvin Gordon in the backfield, jarring the ball loose for a fumble. Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton picked up the loose ball and rumbled 86 yards unscathed for the go-ahead touchdown. A successful two-point conversion gave Kansas City a 28-21 lead.

Denver got the ball back and worked its way downfield, but opted to kick a field goal with 4:37 remaining, putting Mahomes and the Chiefs in a 4-minute offense.

Kansas City ran out the clock with a series of first downs, and the Chiefs lock down at least the No. 2 spot in the AFC. Now, they hope for the Titans to lose to the Houston Texans for a second time this season.