The Denver Broncos have a very tough game ahead of them today. They will host the AFC West leading and defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. It looks like snow will be in the forecast, but when you have Patrick Mahomes every single game is a winnable game.
Denver needs Drew Lock to start making the steps towards franchise status. The team has lost nine straight to the Chiefs and that is a streak everyone in the building wants snapped. Our Mile High Report staff is not optimistic that happens this week, although there was some dissension in the group here in Week 7.
Collectively, we see a Chiefs 25-24 win over the Broncos. Below we’ll see how each of us predicts the game individually. There are some of us who think the upset happens.
Broncos 23, Chiefs 21
Earlier this week, I predicted a Chiefs win. I even said so on the betting odds podcast. However, as the week progressed and the weather reports came in I felt this might be a good spot for Denver to sneak up on Kansas City. Brandon McManus kicks the game winner and wins himself another AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award. - Tim Lynch
Chiefs 30, Broncos 17
Denver keeps it close early, but you can’t contain Patrick Mahomes forever. I think the offense gets into the end zone this week, but just not enough to keep up with the Chiefs. - Jeff Essary
Chiefs 21, Broncos 17
The Broncos have a chance to make another step forward in the push to get back to competing for division titles. The Chiefs have been the nemesis for Denver ever since that scoop and score TD by Bradley Roby (the last time the Broncos beat KC) in 2015. It won’t be a huge blowout, and I think Broncos Country will come away from this game feeling like the team is closer than they have been in a long time to relevancy. The defense won’t completely stop the Chiefs, and I think the Broncos offense is going to capitalize on their performance against the Patriots and keep it close. That being said, it still probably won’t quite be enough. - Adam Malnati
Broncos 30, Chiefs 28
One area where the Broncos should have an advantage is along the line of scrimmage. Mitchell Schwartz has given way to Mike Remmers, while Kelechi Osmele’s been replaced by Nick Allegretti. We already know Fangio has the Broncos’ run defense playing out of their minds, but both those backups could help the pass rush. If Bradley Chubb and Shelby Harris can do enough to make Mahomes uncomfortable without needing too much help from the blitz it could go a long way towards slowing the Chiefs’ machine down.
The X-factor is obviously Lock. The Chiefs have scored more than 24 points in all but one game this year. Denver needs a big day in the snow from their offense to have a chance.
Steve Spagnuolo is going to test him in ways Bill Belichick couldn’t last week. Spags will dial up run blitzes to try and get ahead of the sticks and send the dogs with a trap behind it to force mistakes. The Broncos need to find a way to keep drives alive without giving the ball away.
You caught me just as I finished my 11 things to watch, so blame it on that if this sounds crazy: Lock does just enough to squeak it out. - Joe Rowles
Chiefs 27, Broncos 24
Is this the game that Lock and the Broncos finally end this five-year losing streak to Kansas City? Denver will keep this game close and I think it has the potential to pull the upset, but I don’t think it gets the win. One of the most fascinating stats about the Broncos this season, they’re 4-1 against the spread. - Ian St. Clair
Broncos 24, Chiefs 23
The Broncos stop the streak at 9 in a hard-fought last minute victory at home. The Chiefs’ pressure issues and a Broncos secondary reinforced by A.J. Bouye give Denver just enough wiggle room to eke out a win. - Taylor Kothe