Franklin no-call stokes Chiefs’ ire as Broncos win 22-19

Lead

On Nov. 16, 2025 at Empower Field at Mile High, the Denver Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs 22-19 when wide receiver Troy Franklin hauled in a 32-yard fourth-quarter reception. The play, set up by quarterback Bo Nix, effectively decided the game and left Chiefs supporters and commentators disputing whether officials missed a foul. Replays showed movement and contact that some viewers flagged as a false start or push-off, but referees let the play stand. The result pushed Denver to 9-2 and widened the gap with Kansas City, now 5-5, in the AFC West.

Key Takeaways

• Troy Franklin secured a 32-yard fourth-quarter catch that sealed a 22-19 Broncos victory at Empower Field on Nov. 16, 2025.
• Franklin finished with a team-high 84 yards on four catches and eight targets in the game.
• Replays prompted debate: images suggested the receiver moved before the snap and used an arm to create separation, but no flag was thrown.
• Broncos QB Bo Nix connected on the decisive throw after a collapsing pocket, delivering a high pass that only Franklin could reach.
• The win left Denver at 9-2 and Kansas City at 5-5, putting the Chiefs’ run of nine straight AFC West titles in jeopardy.
• Chiefs coach Andy Reid publicly credited the quarterback and receiver for making a play, while some fans and analysts called the no-call a turning point in the division race.

Background

The Broncos and Chiefs rivalry has been a defining storyline of the AFC West for the past decade. Kansas City entered the 2025 season having won the division nine consecutive times, a streak that has been central to the team’s identity and playoff positioning. Denver’s 2025 campaign has been a breakout stretch, and Sunday’s matchup at Empower Field carried heavy division implications as mid-November approached. Officials and replay reviews have been frequent talking points across the league this year, with tight games often hinging on judgment calls at the sideline.

Coaches and players in both franchises have repeatedly emphasized situational discipline and preparation; Bo Nix and Troy Franklin were teammates at Oregon, a connection that showed up on the decisive play. The Chiefs, still led by a veteran coaching staff, have faced criticism for offensive miscues and a defense that has suffered lapses in key moments. That broader context — Denver’s ascent and Kansas City’s uneven stretch — framed how observers interpreted the late-game sequence and its aftermath.

Main Event

Late in the fourth quarter, with the game tied 19-19 and 54 seconds remaining, Denver faced second-and-8 at the Kansas City 47. Nix and Franklin, drawing on their prior familiarity, executed a corner route that exploited a small window in coverage. Nix escaped pressure and lofted a deep pass to a spot only Franklin could reach; the receiver elevated and came down with the ball for a 32-yard gain that effectively ended the contest.

Television angles showed two points of contention: Franklin appeared to take an extra step as the snap occurred, and contact with cornerback Jaylen Watson suggested a shove to create separation. Watson reacted immediately, pointing and appealing to officials, but no flag was thrown. The officials allowed play to continue, and the Broncos ran out the clock after the catch.

Postgame comments were measured: coach Andy Reid acknowledged the playmaking by both quarterback and receiver, and Broncos players praised Franklin’s ability to deliver in a pressure moment. Franklin described a short-memory approach and credited preparation; teammate Adam Trautman highlighted growth and increased trust that contributed to the late sequence.

Analysis & Implications

At the micro level, the play demonstrates how fine margins and split-second actions can determine outcomes in the NFL. A borderline physicality between receiver and defender, or minimal movement at the line, often depends on the official’s angle and interpretation. In this instance the referees opted not to penalize, a decision that boosted Denver’s standing and infuriated many Chiefs fans who viewed replay evidence as suggestive of an infraction.

Strategically, the completion showcased Bo Nix’s progress as a pocket passer and Franklin’s role as a go-to target in crucial moments; both factors elevate Denver’s offensive credibility heading into the stretch run. For Kansas City, the loss magnifies existing concerns about consistency and depth across the roster, and it forces a reckoning about who can be relied upon in tight divisional games.

On a leaguewide level, controversies like this amplify discussion about officiating standards and replay protocols. While replay can overturn clear errors, subjective judgments — whether a receiver’s foot moved before the snap or whether contact rose to the level of a foul — remain in human hands. That ambiguity can influence playoff seeding, draft positioning and coaching decisions over the remainder of the season.

Comparison & Data

The table highlights the swing in standings after the November meeting. Denver’s 9-2 mark positions the club as the clear division leader, while Kansas City’s 5-5 record leaves it four games back in the win column. If trends hold, the result could be a decisive factor in the AFC West race and playoff tiebreaker scenarios.

Reactions & Quotes

Players and staff framed the moment differently, balancing praise for the play with lingering questions about officiating.

“I’ve kind of always been a guy to where, I know the play is going to come back,”

Troy Franklin

Franklin emphasized preparedness and a short-term memory after making the game-defining reception, claiming focus on the next opportunity rather than officiating debate.

“(He) had a couple of guys right around him there. The quarterback made a play, (and) the receiver made a play,”

Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs (coach)

Chiefs coach Andy Reid credited the execution of quarterback and receiver in describing the play, declining to dwell on the no-call as a singular explanation for the defeat.

“He’s grown up a lot, and he’s been unbelievable in our offense this year,”

Adam Trautman, Broncos tight end

Teammate Trautman framed Franklin’s catch as the product of development and trust built across practices and games, pointing to the receiver’s season-long progress.

Unconfirmed

• It is unconfirmed whether the borderline pre-snap movement observed on some replays would have drawn a flag under different officiating crews.
• There is no official ruling indicating the play was reviewed and would have been overturned for a push-off; league office did not issue a public overturn at the time of this report.
• Claims that the no-call will directly cost the Chiefs a playoff berth remain speculative until the season concludes and standings settle.

Bottom Line

The 32-yard Franklin catch and the decision not to penalize crystallized a late-season turning point between two AFC West rivals. For Denver, the play reinforced momentum and solidified a 9-2 position that dramatically improves their path to the postseason. For Kansas City, the loss deepens a growing list of concerns and turns what was once a secure division hold into a contested battle.

Beyond the immediate standings, the episode underscores persistent tension around officiating discretion in high-stakes moments. Fans and analysts will debate the play in the days to come, but for now the scoreboard — Denver 22, Kansas City 19 — is the final arbiter on the field.

Sources

• The Denver Post (media reporting on game and quotes)
• Denver Broncos (official team site)
• NFL.com (official league site)