Dive into the heart-pounding action of an NFL showdown where a single yard can make or break a team's season – these game highlights from Week 17 capture the raw excitement and raw emotions of football at its finest, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Whether you're a die-hard supporter or just tuning in for the thrill, these plays demonstrate how strategy, skill, and sheer determination collide on the field. But here's where it gets controversial: Some might argue that penalties and turnovers decide games more than touchdowns – what do you think? Let's break down the key moments from the Kansas City Chiefs versus Denver Broncos clash, along with a festive surprise from the Lions and Vikings, with explanations to help even newcomers grasp the nuances of each play.
First up, imagine the Chiefs needing a crucial fourth-down conversion to keep their momentum alive. Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt charges through the line with an inside route, picking up a solid 5-yard gain on that nail-biting fourth-and-1 situation. For beginners, a fourth-down conversion means the team successfully gains the required yards or more to keep possession, avoiding a turnover – it's like turning a potential disaster into a triumph, much like in high-stakes board games where one bad roll can end it all. And this is the part most people miss: Hunt's ability to read the defense on the fly showcases why versatile running backs are game-changers in modern football.
NOW PLAYING
video
Kareem Hunt's 5-yard gain gives KC a fourth-down conversion
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt takes the inside route on a 5-yard run that helps the Chiefs convert a fourth-and-1 play.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/kareem-hunt-s-5-yard-gain-gives-kc-a-fourth-down-conversion)
NOW PLAYING
video
Chiefs first penalty extends Broncos' fourth quarter drive
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones jumps offside on a fourth-and-1 inside of the 2:00 warning, giving the Denver Broncos a first-and-goal on their potential go-ahead drive.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/chiefs-first-penalty-extends-broncos-fourth-quarter-drive)
NOW PLAYING
video
Nohl Williams destroys Denvers' WR screen
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Nohl Williams pushes his blocker into a Denver Broncos wide receiver screen resulting in a tackle for loss.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/nohl-williams-destroys-denvers-wr-screen)
NOW PLAYING
video
Humphrey's 17-yard reception pushes Broncos into go-ahead FG range
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix delivers a 17-yard pass to wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey on a third-and-10 to keep a go-ahead drive alive against the Kansas City Chiefs.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/humphrey-s-17-yard-reception-pushes-broncos-into-go-ahead-fg-range)
NOW PLAYING
video
Butker's 47-yard FG ties score at 13-13
The Kansas City Chiefs tie their Week 17 game with the Denver Broncos at 13-13 with a 47-yard field goal from kicker Harrison Butker.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/butker-s-47-yard-fg-ties-score-at-13-13)
NOW PLAYING
video
Oladokun's scramble drill earns applause from Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun scrambles behind the line of scrimmage and finds wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for a chain-moving completion.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/oladokun-s-scramble-drill-earns-applause-from-patrick-mahomes)
NOW PLAYING
video
Brashard Smith's 44-yard punt return sets up Chiefs in Broncos territory
Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith burns the Denver Broncos special teams with a 44-yard punt return.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/brashard-smith-s-44-yard-punt-return-sets-up-chiefs-in-broncos-territory)
NOW PLAYING
video
Chris Jones' fifth sack of '25 comes vs. Bo Nix
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle bags his fifth sack of the 2025 NFL season, a 7-yard takedown of Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/chris-jones-fifth-sack-of-25-comes-vs-bo-nix)
NOW PLAYING
video
Bo Nix lowers his shoulder to give Denver the lead vs. Chiefs
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix imposes his will on a Kansas City Chiefs defender, lowering his shoulder to score a go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/bo-nix-lowers-his-shoulder-to-give-denver-the-lead-vs-chiefs)
NOW PLAYING
video
Nohl Williams takes down RJ Harvey for a 5-yard TFL
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Nohl Williams beats his blocker and takes down Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey for a 5-yard tackle for loss.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/nohl-williams-takes-down-rj-harvey-for-a-5-yard-tfl)
NOW PLAYING
video
Nix's sideline strike finds Sutton for 23 yards
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix wastes no time attacking on a first-and-20, finding Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton for a 23-yard gain.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/nix-s-sideline-strike-finds-sutton-for-23-yards)
NOW PLAYING
video
Harrison Butker's 53-yard FG boosts Chiefs' lead to 10-6
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker converts on a 53-yard field goal against the Denver Broncos.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/harrison-butker-s-53-yard-fg-boosts-chiefs-lead-to-10-6)
NOW PLAYING
video
Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman combine for sack of Oladokun
Denver Broncos outside linebackers Jonah Elliss and Dondrea Tillman dissuade Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun from executing a run-pass option and instead track him down for a 9-yard sack.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/jonah-elliss-dondrea-tillman-combine-for-sack-of-oladokun)
NOW PLAYING
video
Oladokun's near-disaster ends in first-down completion
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun escapes the pocket, fumbles, recovers his own fumble and completes a pass to Chiefs wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster for a first down.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/oladokun-s-near-disaster-ends-in-first-down-completion)
NOW PLAYING
video
Lutz's 30-yard FG cuts Chiefs' lead to 7-6
Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz makes his second field goal of the night, a 30-yarder that cuts the Kansas City Chiefs lead to 7-6 just before halftime.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/lutz-s-30-yard-fg-cuts-chiefs-lead-to-7-6)
NOW PLAYING
video
Nix's tight-window throw finds a sliding Adam Trautman
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix threads a tight-window pass between two Kansas City Chiefs defensive to Broncos tight end Adam Trautman.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/nix-s-tight-window-throw-finds-a-sliding-adam-trautman)
NOW PLAYING
video
Jaleel McLaughlin cuts back to spring a 15-yard gain
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin cuts back against the grain and sprints up the field for a 15-yard gain.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/jaleel-mclaughlin-cuts-back-to-spring-a-15-yard-gain)
NOW PLAYING
video
Bo Nix's third-down scramble nets 14 yards
On a third-and-6 Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix rolls left, finds a lane and scrambles for a 14-yard gain.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/bo-nix-s-third-down-scramble-nets-14-yards)
NOW PLAYING
video
Courtland Sutton goes to ground for a third-down reception
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton makes a third-down catch on a low pass from Broncos quarterback Bo Nix.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/courtland-sutton-goes-to-ground-for-a-third-down-reception)
NOW PLAYING
video
Brashard Smith breaks a tackle on his way into the end zone vs. Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith catches a pass out of the backfield from Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun, breaks a tackle and makes his way into the end zone to give the Chiefs a 6-3 lead against the Denver Broncos.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/brashard-smith-breaks-a-tackle-on-his-way-into-the-end-zone-vs-broncos)
NOW PLAYING
video
Travis Kelce's first reception yields 11 yards
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun scrambles to his right and finds tight end Travis Kelce for an 11-yard gain.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/travis-kelce-s-first-reception-yields-11-yards)
NOW PLAYING
video
Can't-Miss Play: Tip-drill INT! Fulton's diving deflection leads to Bolton's pick of Bo Nix
The Kansas City Chiefs defensive comes up with a spectacular turnover with cornerback Kristian Fulton diving to deflect a pass into the grasp of Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/can-t-miss-play-tip-drill-int-fulton-s-diving-deflection-leads-to-bolton-s-pick-of-bo-nix)
NOW PLAYING
video
Lutz's 27-yard FG caps off Broncos' opening drive vs. Chiefs
The Denver Broncos cap off their 14-play, 8:02 opening drive with a 27-yard field goal from kicker Wil Lutz to take a 3-0 lead against the Kansas City Chiefs.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/lutz-s-27-yard-fg-caps-off-broncos-opening-drive-vs-chiefs)
NOW PLAYING
video
Lions vs. Vikings highlights | Week 17
Highlights from the matchup between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day during Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/lions-vs-vikings-highlights-week-17)
NOW PLAYING
video
Can't-Miss Play: FUMBLE! Van Ginkel McCringleberry ruins Christmas for the Lions
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel jumps on the muffed snap off the hands of Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff for the Vikings sixth turnover of the game.
(https://www.nfl.com/videos/can-t-miss-play-fumble-van-ginkel-mccringleberry-ruins-christmas-for-the-lions)
But here's where it gets controversial: In a sport full of big hits and bold calls, moments like the Chiefs' offside penalty or the Lions' muffed snap raise questions about whether referees are too strict or if players need better focus under pressure. And this is the part most people miss: Turnovers, like that interception by Bolton or the fumble by Goff, can swing entire seasons – imagine if the Chiefs had lost due to that penalty, altering playoff hopes. Do these plays highlight the importance of referees in shaping outcomes, or should players be held solely accountable? Share your thoughts in the comments: Agree that penalties ruin the game, or disagree and say it's all part of the strategy? What controversial call from these highlights stands out to you the most?
