When: Sunday, 2:25 p.m. MT
Or: Strengthen the field at Mile High
Radio/Television: 8:50 a.m., 94.1 FM/CBS
Broncos-Chiefs Series: Denver is 55-73 in 128 regular season games dating back to 1960; the Broncos lost 16-14 last time they met on the road on Nov. 10 and have lost eight of the last nine games against Kansas City.
The Broncos don’t care if Carson Wentz has fallen out of favor. Or if the veteran quarterback has only started eight games over the past three seasons.
With a trip to the playoffs on the line Sunday, Denver is determined to try to stop Wentz, who will start in place of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the regular-season finale. Coach Andy Reid’s decision to play Wentz came after the Chiefs locked up the AFC’s top seed and wanted to rest Mahomes and other key pieces before the playoffs.
“He’s in this league for a reason. He is big and he is strong. He was a first-round draft pick,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said. “It’s the player, but it’s also everything around him and the understanding of what he’s trying to do.”
The last time Wentz started a game was in Week 18 of the 2023 season. He threw for 163 yards, two touchdowns and an interception to lead the Rams to a 21-20 victory over the 49ers, who mainly played substitutes in the second half.
At one point, Wentz was considered one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The 2016 second overall pick played five seasons in Philadelphia, where he finished third in MVP voting during a standout 2017 campaign. He had 3,296 yards, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 13 games, but missed the Eagles’ Super Bowl run due to injury.
In 2021, Wentz was traded to the Colts for a pair of draft picks. He guided the Colts to a 9-8 record while throwing for 3,563 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his lone season in Indianapolis. His last run as a full-time starter came in 2022 with Washington. As the commander’s signalman, he had to deal with injuries and turnover issues. The former North Dakota State star has nine interceptions in eight games (seven starts).
Kansas City is Wentz’s fourth team in four years. Yet Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph showed nothing but respect for Wentz’s talent ahead of Sunday’s game.
“This is a top pick for a reason,” Joseph said. “He was a winner. He’s talented, so we have to respect this guy. The current trend in the league is a resurgence of quarterbacks. I mean, he wants that too.
Joseph was referring to quarterbacks like the Vikings’ Sam Darnold, a first-round pick who established himself as a quality starter after serving as a backup in San Francisco last year. With Wentz having the opportunity to be a starter again, Joseph expects him to give everything he can.
“He’s going to play his best football,” Joseph said. “It won’t be easy.”
When the Broncos run
Javonte Williams didn’t have a carry last week against the Bengals while Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime received the majority of the workload. Even though McLaughlin has shown some positive signs in recent weeks, the group’s overall inconsistency, mixed with Payton’s tendency to drop out of the race at times, remains concerning. The Chiefs have allowed 4.2 yards per carry this season. They also gave up just 39 rushing attempts of 10-plus yards — fourth-fewest in the league, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats. Edge: Broncos
When the Broncos pass
Bo Nix has thrown for at least 200 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in six games this season – tied with CJ Stroud in 2023 and Justin Herbert in 2020 for the most such games by a rookie since at least 1950, according to Next Gen Statistics. Chiefs star defensive tackle Chris Jones and edge rusher George Karlaftis won’t play, which is a bonus for Denver. Edge: Broncos
When the leaders run
With Chiefs running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt sidelined, Kansas City will lean on Carson Steele (48 carries, 158 yards) and former Bronco Samaje Perine (19 carries, 91 yards) in the game racing. Denver’s run defense has taken a step back of late, allowing at least 100 yards in three straight games. However, the unit should be able to handle the Chiefs’ third- and fourth-string running backs. Edge: Broncos
When the leaders pass
Kansas City has allowed 75 pressures in the last five games. Meanwhile, the Broncos are coming off a seven-sack game against the Bengals. It was the fifth time this season that Denver recorded more than five sacks in a game. Defensive end Zach Allen has a pressure rate of 11.3%. Edge: Broncos
Special teams
Marvin Mims Jr. was named to his second Pro Bowl as a returner on Thursday, and deservedly so. He averaged 15.7 yards on 26 punt return attempts this season. Last week marked the second time Riley Dixon failed to complete a punt inside the 20-yard line this season. Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is 2-for-4 on field goal attempts of 50-plus yards. Edge: Broncos
Training
No matter who the Chiefs play on Sunday, Andy Reid is always one of the best coaches in the game. He and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will put together a competitive game. They’re not going to let Denver walk all over them. But Sean Payton isn’t too bad himself. And he will start his 1s against many of the Chiefs’ 2s and 3s. Edge: Chefs
| Broncos | Chefs | |
|---|---|---|
| Total offense | 314.9 (22nd) | 342 (13th) |
| Rushed offensive | 106.8 (21st) | 110.2 (16th) |
| Pass crime | 205.6 (22nd) | 231.8 (10th) |
| Points per game | 24.2 (10th) | 24.1 (11th) |
| Total defense | 330.8 (15th) | 310.8 (4th) |
| Run in defense | 100.8 (8th) | 98.3 (4th) |
| Pass defense | 230.1 (25th) | 212.4 (14th) |
| Allowed points | 19.4 (5th) | 18.0 (2nd) |
(Click here to view the chart on mobile.)
17: Broncos WR Courtland Sutton’s receiving yards need to reach 1,000 for the season.
21: Pressures generated by Broncos DL Zach Allen in less than 2.5 seconds.
92.8: Passer rating allowed by Denver’s defense in man coverage.
44.5%: Broncos QB Bo Nix’s completion percentage under pressure.
5.6: Yards per carry for Broncos RB Jaleel McLaughlin on interior runs.
Courtland Sutton on 5.5 receptions: Sutton has at least five receptions in four of Denver’s last five games. He was Bo Nix’s favorite target throughout the season. In the Broncos’ most important game of the year, expect Nix to lean heavily on Sutton in the passing game.
The Broncos score a touchdown on the first drive (+255): The Broncos have their backs against the wall. They know a playoff spot is on the line and won’t waste time on Sunday. Denver will try to build momentum from the jump and get the Chiefs out of the game as quickly as possible.
Parker Gabriel, screenwriter: Broncos 20, Chiefs 17
Maybe things will work out for Denver. Heavy favorite status at home will make for a festive Week 18 and a cathartic end to the playoff drought. But it’s hard to imagine Kansas City, the division’s longtime big brother, turning around and letting that happen so easily. Even with Patrick Mahomes in cap. Even with other key players just watching. Coach Andy Reid and DC Steve Spagnuolo don’t need to take a week off. However, Denver seizes its chance No. 3 and punches its ticket.
Ryan McFadden, author of the beat: Broncos 26, Chiefs 17
Third time’s the charm, right? Denver has shown it can beat the Chiefs. A blocked field goal attempt at Arrowhead robbed the Broncos of the chance to pull off their biggest upset of the season. On Sunday, however, the Broncos will play a group of Chiefs substitutes. The game will be closer than expected, but the Broncos should take care of business in front of their home crowd. Otherwise, they never would have deserved to make the playoffs.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 22, Chiefs 19
The KC bench would like nothing more than to send the Broncos to the beach. But without Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, Travis Kelce and Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs don’t upset the Broncos. Sean Payton will find himself in the rhythm of the running game — meaning Bo Nix plays a big role in RPOs — as the Broncos advance to the playoffs with a white-knuckle victory.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Broncos 25, Chiefs 14
As much as Kansas City would love to spoil the Broncos’ march to the playoffs, every decision its coaching staff makes leading up to this one indicates how little they care. It’s hard to beat a team with that kind of posture, especially one as motivated as the Broncos playing in front of a frothy home crowd. The playoff drought ends Sunday, with a trip to sunny Buffalo a fitting reward after the debacle of the past two weeks.
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