The struggling Denver Broncos look to play “spoiler” when they make the trek to Kansas City Chiefs to face the AFC West champions Chiefs in Week 17 on the NFL schedule. In a season of bad decisions and terrible play, the Broncos (4-11) fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett one day after suffering an embarrassing 51-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Senior assistant coach Jerry Rosberg takes over for the Broncos and gets his first chance to lead an NFL team in one of the toughest NFL matchups this week, as the Chiefs (12-3) are among the best teams in the league.
Kansas City leads the all-time series against Denver 70-55. The Chiefs extended their win streak over the Broncos to 14 straight with a 34-28 victory in Week 14. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 352 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions in the game.
This article will look at the best Broncos vs. Chiefs betting picks.
Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Matchup Info
- Date and Time: January 1, 1:00 p.m.
- Location: Kansas City
- Venue: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
- How to watch: CBS
Broncos Performance Recap and Analysis
The Broncos (4-11), on pace to finish with its worst winning percentage since the strike-shortened 1982 campaign, is coming off an embarrassing 51-14 loss to the lowly Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Russell Wilson threw two interceptions on the Broncos’ first two possessions, and Denver was never able to recover as they trailed 17-3 at the end of the first and 33-6 at halftime.
The 37-point setback is the franchise’s worst since 2010, which was also the last time they finished with four wins.
Denver has lost six of their last seven and 10 of 12. The Broncos are 0-7 on the road and 1-6 away from Mile High Stadium, with the victory coming against the Jaguars in England.
Offense
The offense has been the main problem for the Broncos. They are the lowest-scoring team in the league, according to NFL stats. The Broncos are 26th in total offense, 21st in passing, and 23rd in rushing. Turnovers, converting on third down, and offensive line play also are problems.
Defense
The defense has been a bright spot for Denver. The Broncos rank fifth in total defense and seventh in scoring. They are sixth against the pass and 16th versus the run. They won’t have linebacker Randy Gregory against the Chiefs as he is suspended for getting into the skirmish after Sunday’s game.
It will be interesting to see if the Broncos stick with Wilson behind center as he is having his worst season and is one of the lowest-rated quarterbacks, according to NFL player stats. Jerry Jeudy is having a career season, and tight end Greg Dulcich is having a decent rookie season.
Key Injuries
Denver has a few key players listed on the NFL injury report. Dulcich left the game against the Rams in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury and is questionable for Week 17. WR Kendall Hinton has missed the last two weeks with a hamstring injury, and his status is unknown.
Betting Trends to Know
The Broncos are 6-11 against the spread, covering three of the last four. They are 2-5 ATS in true road games and 3-5 away from Denver.
The total has gone Over in the Broncos’ last three games. However, the Under is 11-4 on the season, which includes hitting in five of their true road games.
Chiefs Performance Recap and Analysis
Kansas City scored the first 17 points en route to a 24-10 win over Seattle on Sunday, marking the Chiefs’ third straight win. While Patrick Mahomes had a pair of touchdown passes, the Chiefs’ offense was limited to 297 yards.
The Chiefs (12-3) are AFC West champions for the seventh straight year. They are 6-1 at home, having won four straight there.
Offense
As customary, the Chiefs have a high-powered offense with Mahomes under center. The Chiefs rank No. 1 in total and passing offense. Although their running attack has been inconsistent, they are also second in scoring (29.2). Turnovers are an issue.
Defense
Defensively, Kansas City has been average this season. The Chiefs rank 16th in scoring and 15 in total defense. They have been stout against the run, and while they have an intense pass rush, their secondary is suspect.
Mahomes is compiling his second-best season despite not having great weapons except Travis Kelce. Kelce, whose 12 touchdowns is a career-best, needs nine receptions over the last two games to set a personal high. JuJu Schuster-Smith is having a solid campaign, as is Jerick McKinnon.
Key Injuries
The Chiefs have several key players on the NFL injury report.RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) and WR Mecole Hardman (abdominal) are eligible to be activated from injured reserve though it is unknown if they will be available this week. Starting defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (illness) sat out the game against the Seahawks, and his status for this week is unknown.
Betting Trends to Know
The Chiefs covered the Spread against the Seahawks as 10.5-point favorites, snapping a seven-game ATS streak. They are just 4-10-1 ATS this season, including 1-5-1 at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Under hit in five straight home games and six of seven contests at Arrowhead Stadium. It is also 8-7-0 in all games this year.
Broncos vs. Chiefs Odds
The Chiefs are -13.5-point favorites, per NFL point spreads. The Over/Under is at 45 points. The money line lists the Broncos at +500, and the Chiefs are at -700.
So should you take the struggling Broncos or the in-form Chiefs? After reviewing the stats and analysis, it is time to make Broncos vs. Chiefs betting picks.
Broncos vs. Chiefs Betting Predictions
Moneyline
This Broncos-Chiefs game projects to be one of the worst NFL matchups this week. The teams are going in different directions, and there needs to be more talent, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Kansas City is the far superior offensive team here, and they have dominated the series of late. The Chiefs also need to win this game to keep pace with the Buffalo Bills atop the NFL team standings in the AFC.
Expect the Chiefs to roll to victory here. They led 27-0 in the first meeting this year.
However, there is no value in taking the Chiefs straight up.
Over/Under
Go with the Under.
Nobody knows how exactly Denver will respond following the firing Hackett’s firing. But the Broncos have been putrid offensively, and their offensive line is in shambles. So, expect the Chiefs’ fearsome pass rush to get after Wilson and force him into mistakes. Denver has turned the ball over at least once in 11 of their 15 contests, including eight in their three games. The Cheifs sacked Willson six times three weeks ago.
Also, Expect the Broncos’ defense to come out with something to prove, particularly after last week’s debacle. Denver has been excellent on that end of the field for much of the season and permits just 27.2 yards and 1.65 points per drive.
Four of the last seven meetings between the teams have finished with fewer than 45 points, including the previous three at Arrowhead.
Spread
The Broncos have two options with their season essentially over and as miserable as last week. They can either quit or play like their jobs are on the line, except the latter. This is why the Broncos are the NFL picks against the spread bere.
Denver has covered the Spread in three of their last four versus Kansas City. Moreover, the Chiefs are 1-5-1 ATS when favored by a touchdown or more. Similarly, the Broncos are 2-0 ATS when an underdog of seven or more points.
Broncos vs. Chiefs Score Prediction
- Score Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs 24, Broncos 14
- NFL Pick: Denver Broncos +13.5
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