The Denver Broncos have an opportunity to go level with the Kansas City Chiefs at the top of the AFC West at Mile High on Sunday and it is one that they cannot afford to pass up.
A 31-10 defeat to the Chiefs in Week One would mean another victory for the road team would put them in a position where Denver would have to rely on other teams doing them a favor if they are to come out on top in the division.
Recent history will give them confidence as despite that opening defeat, they won both of their meetings with Kansas City last year and have a 5-2 record following last week’s 30-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Their opponents, meanwhile, have had a week to dwell on their first defeat of the campaign, which came at the Seattle Seahawks when they fell to a 20-3 loss in which they failed to get into the red zone for the entire match.
That is not what we have come to expect from the dynamic Chiefs and they should be hungry to make a much better impression in what is a key match-up.
The only other team Denver has lost to this year was the 6-1 San Francisco 49ers, but its offense needs to get going if they are to claim another scalp and put themselves right in the thick of the divisional picture.
Chiefs vs. Broncos Betting Picks & Predictions
Kansas City Chiefs -1.5 (-105)
The Chiefs had the measure of Denver when the pair met at Arrowhead in September and this is just the ideal sort of game for them following last week’s disappointment in Seattle.
It is hard to believe they will be as poor offensively and while the Broncos would have taken plenty out of analysing that match-up, stopping Patrick Mahomes' offense to the same extent could take some doing.
The Broncos have displayed great tenacity to gain late comeback wins against the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Rams, but this looks a more difficult task against a stronger offense, particularly one that will feel wounded by what happened to them last week.
The prize is there for Kansas City as a victory would not only give them some breathing space at the top of the division but also allow them the benefit of earning key tie-break advantages, so that motivation should ensure they cover in what looks set to be a tight encounter.
Under 40.5 points (-109)
The points line is low for this match-up at 40.5, but there still looks a strong chance that it will not be threatened.
A tally of 20 points was more than enough for the Seahawks to see off the Chiefs in Week 7, but the fact Kansas City has allowed their opponents that total or fewer in four of their six match-ups this year should be music to the ears of those looking to go under the points line.
The Broncos scored 30 against the Cardinals last week but that was only the second occasion that they have reached that number and if those numbers are disregarded, it is worth noting that their average is only 16.8.
Denver has not conceded more than 17 points in any of the team’s last three games and this one could join the last seven meetings in failing to eclipse the total.
Kenneth Walker III 90+ rushing yards (+100)
Kansas City rusher Kenneth Walker III endured a miserable time in Seattle as he was restricted to just 35 yards, but there is scope for him to bounce back on Sunday.
He now sits behind Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson in the quest to be the league’s most productive running back, but Walker will recall the Week One meeting against Denver when he recorded 173 yards on the ground.
The Broncos could not live with him that day and while they have not been torn apart to that extent again this season, Walker should be able to bounce back from last week’s disappointment and he is taken to reach 90 yards.
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Chiefs vs. Broncos odds
KC Chiefs | -117 |
DEN Broncos | -103 |
Spread | KC Chiefs -1.5 |
Total | O/U 40.5 |
Chiefs vs. Broncos player props
Anytime touchdown
Kenneth Walker III (KC Chiefs) | -150 |
Jonah Coleman (DEN Broncos) | +160 |
JK Dobbins (DEN Broncos) | +200 |
Courtland Sutton (DEN Broncos) | +220 |
Jaylen Waddle (DEN Broncos) | +225 |
Rashee Rice (KC Chiefs) | +235 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
