KC Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos: NFL Week 17 Preview and Predictions

The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs might have the AFC West locked up, however there’s nonetheless loads on the desk for them in Week 17.

Within the post-Nathaniel Hackett period, the Denver Broncos come rolling into city with a 4-11 report on the 12 months and nothing other than satisfaction to play for. With that stated, interim head coach Jerry Rosburg ought to have his staff able to compete arduous in his first recreation main the cost. On the opposite facet of the sphere, nevertheless, Kansas Metropolis remains to be very a lot alive within the hunt for the AFC’s prime playoff seed and may’t afford to drop any video games this late within the 12 months. Regardless of how issues might look on the floor, this stays an vital recreation for the Chiefs. 

How will as we speak’s recreation unfold? The Arrowhead Report crew makes their predictions.

Joshua Brisco: No matter their out-to-pasture opponent, the Chiefs have an opportunity to do one thing vital on Sunday: they’ll string collectively back-to-back dominant defensive performances. The Chiefs’ younger defenders performed because the aggressors in opposition to the Seahawks final weekend and it fully remodeled that facet of the ball. The Chiefs’ offense must hit its layups and keep wholesome for the remainder of the common season. The project is straightforward: deal with enterprise on Sunday and root for the Bengals on Monday.

Prediction: Chiefs 27, Broncos 13

Jordan Foote: The Broncos will undoubtedly be enjoying arduous for his or her interim head coach as we speak however at a sure level, expertise will reign supreme. The Chiefs are a markedly higher staff than their AFC West counterparts and with loads nonetheless left to play for this season, it is time for them to wade through their half in looking for to safe the convention’s prime playoff seed. No matter what occurs on Monday Evening Soccer, Kansas Metropolis’s “if, then…” begins with a Sunday afternoon win. I will take the Chiefs to cowl in a recreation that does not really feel as shut as Week 14’s near-comeback thriller.

Prediction: Chiefs 30, Broncos 17

Mark Van Sickle: The Broncos fired their coach after shedding 51-14 to the Rams final week. If the Chiefs can create turnovers on protection and never flip the ball over on offense, there could also be the same end result this week. The Broncos don’t have anything however satisfaction to play for, whereas the Chiefs are nonetheless attempting to get the one seed within the AFC. Give me a hungry Patrick Mahomes over a tragic Russell Wilson.

Prediction: Chiefs 38, Broncos 17

Zack Eisen: Traditionally, groups that fireside their head coach (just like the Broncos did) play properly the primary week beneath the interim coach. With that stated, Kansas Metropolis can’t let that occur this week as they’re nonetheless in a position to get the one-seed within the AFC. When the Chiefs confronted the Broncos just a few weeks again, they efficiently moved the ball on offense and was uncharacteristic errors from Patrick Mahomes that price them from scoring extra factors. The protection allowed the Broncos to have their finest offensive output of the season, and so they should enhance upon that and put collectively efficiency right here.

Prediction: Chiefs 35, Broncos 17

Conner Christopherson: I’ve a sense it will go smoother than the Broncos recreation from two weeks in the past. The Chiefs had been throughout Denver in that matchup, however Patrick Mahomes losing interest and some glorious performs by the Broncos’ protection led to him throwing three uncharacteristic interceptions. With the Broncos now Nathaniel Hackett-less, it’s arduous to think about issues getting higher for the floundering staff. If the Chiefs’ protection needs to construct on the momentum of final weekend, having a greater recreation on Sunday is paramount.

Prediction: Chiefs 27, Broncos 16

Marlow Ferguson Jr.: The prevailing thought across the media is that that is exactly the kind of recreation the Chiefs may overlook, and thus, stumble in. That concept largely ignores how a lot Kansas Metropolis has to play for, reminiscent of the potential of a first-round bye and even incentives reminiscent of the extra $2.5 million a participant like Frank Clark may earn with three extra sacks. The Chiefs have gained momentum, sustained a robust second-half punch from Denver of their Week 14 matchup and are well-coached sufficient that they need to carry out significantly higher on this Week 17 duel. There’s no higher option to kickstart a brand new 12 months than with a victory, and Kansas Metropolis ought to be capable to produce that on Sunday.

Prediction: Chiefs 30, Broncos 16