Broncos are 3.5-point favorites over Chiefs in Week 17

The Denver Broncos (5-10) opened 2.5-point favorites over the Kansas City Chiefs (9-6). The line has since risen to 3.5-points after Paxton Lynch was officially named the starter for Week 17.

“The plan is to play Paxton,” head coach Vance Joseph said on Tuesday. “That was kind of the plan last week if he was healthy enough to play. So this week, that’s the plan, to play Paxton.”

Why such a favorable line for the Broncos? Well, the Chiefs are going to rest most of their starters and could roll with rookie Patrick Mahomes in this game.

Mahomes was a bit of a boom/bust kind of prospect when drafted, much like Lynch when he was taken in the first round. It will be interesting to see if he turns out to be more boom than bust.

I actually like the Broncos defense in this game. They should shut down whatever backup does end up starting, however, Lynch has proven to be a barely functional quarterback on the field. So there is no way I would take this bet.

A Broncos loss would likely secure a Top 5 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and at this point, what else is there to feel good about in 2017?