The Kansas City Chiefs stand in the Denver Broncos’ way in Week 11, and fourth-year starting outside linebacker Nik Bonitto knows what is at stake. Bonitto is coming off a Pro Bowl and Second Team All-Pro season in 2024, and he is having another strong campaign in 2025.
The Broncos need him and the rest of their defense to be sharp against the Chiefs and two-time MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Bonitto is “excited” about the opportunity.
GettyNik Bonitto #15 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack against the Tennessee Titans.
Bonitto, 26, has 9.5 sacks this season, good for second place in the league entering Week 11 against Mahomes and the Chiefs. He ranks 15th in sacks since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2022 and is sixth since the start of the 2023 campaign, per Stathead.
Bonitto finished third in sacks in 2024.
Bonitto has faced Mahomes five times in his six encounters with the Chiefs. However, he has only managed to sack the three-time Super Bowl champion once, in Week 10 last season.
“That’s the guy everybody looks to when it comes to sack on the quarterback,” Bonitto told reporters in attendance at a charity event for his foundation on November 10. “He’s one of the best in our game. So, for sure excited.”
Mahomes and the Chiefs are coming off their bye week, where head coach Andy Reid is strong.
However, Mahomes also had a career-worst performance against the Buffalo Bills in Week 9 in terms of completion percentage. Now, he faces Bonitto and the sack-leading Broncos.
GettyNik Bonitto #15 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after facing the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Broncos sit atop the AFC West at 8-2, tied for the best record in the NFL, heading into this contest. The Los Angeles Chargers are in second at 7-3.
Still, it is the Chiefs whom Bonitto says the Broncos must go through to assert themselves.
“This division’s been run by the Chiefs for so many years now,” Bonitto said. “If we’re going to want to be that team to win the vision and reach the goals that we said we want, we’re going to have to go through them and beat them. So, we’re excited for the opportunity.”
The Chiefs have won the AFC West nine years running. Conversely, the Broncos’ last division crown came in 2015.
Of course, the Broncos also won the Super Bowl that season.
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on during a game against the Houston Texans.
Bonitto’s comments reflect the messaging coming from Broncos head coach Sean Payton heading into the contest against the Chiefs.
“Having this mini weekend, especially with Kansas City coming off a bye, look, it’ll be an important game,” Payton told reporters on November 10. “Obviously, it’s a divisional game. And we’ll be ready to go.”
The Chiefs are 5-4 and have significant protection issues in front of Mahomes.
Mahomes’ 5.1% sack rate is the third-highest of his career, behind only 2024 and his rookie season in 2017, when he played in one game.
Bonitto and the defense have done well to keep the Broncos in games where the offense has struggled to get going. Facing a Chiefs offense navigating similar issues, Bonitto and the Broncos’ defense could get off to an even faster start than usual.
We got injury updates on Frank Nazar and Jason Dickinson yesterday. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs might be missing their best player when they come to town.
The Chicago Blackhawks are back at the United Center tonight as they host the Eastern Conference-leading New Jersey Devils. Check back in this afternoon for a complete game preview and again late tonight for postgame analysis. Until then, here are some fresh Morning Chirps to hold you over.
Auston Matthews went to the Leafs dressing room after taking this hit from Zadorov pic.twitter.com/MxVL6cyPNH