With the No.1 seed in the AFC already wrapped up, the backups appear set to take the field for the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday as they take on their AFC West rival Denver Broncos.
With a 15-1 record, head coach Andy Reid can afford to rest a host of his star players this weekend, with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes among those to watch from the sidelines.
Mahomes has been nursing a high-ankle sprain over recent weeks and gets a well-deserved break before yet another playoff push for the reigning NFL Champions.
As for Denver, they are the ones who go into Sunday’s game on their own patch with all the motivation to get the win, which would take them through to the playoffs.
Given this is all or nothing for the Broncos, going with Denver to cover the spread looks to be the way to go in this one.
Chiefs’ backup QB Carson Wentz is a competent operator but having thrown just two passes in the regular season so far, the former Philadelphia Eagles star will be rusty.
Likely to be without other key weapons on offense, it’s hard to see the Chiefs having enough cutting edge with the ball the prevent the Broncos not only winning but covering the spread at Mile High in the process.
The Broncos have been strong at home this season with a 5-2 record, giving further cause to back the hosts in Sunday’s showdown in Colorado.
Finishing last season 8-9, the Broncos are 9-7 coming into this final game of the regular season with everything on the line.
The form of QB Bo Nix has been one of the key reasons the Broncos find themselves in with a shot of some postseason football, as he has thrown for 3,454 yards and 25 passing touchdowns.
Averaging 215.9 yards per game this season, going for Over 220.5 passing yards against the Chiefs looks to be the way to go in Week 18.
The Chiefs have conceded an average of 212.4 passing yards this season and, with key players set to be rested, it’s further reason to go for the Over on 220.5 passing yards for Nix.
The Broncos have shown themselves to be a passing football team this year, with only 11 rushing touchdowns scored over the course of the campaign so far and four of those coming from Nix.
As Nix has enjoyed a positive season with his passing game, wide receiver Cortland Sutton has been the primary beneficiary.
Sutton has amassed 983 yards this season and more importantly seven touchdowns.
With the weather set to be cold but dry at Mile High this weekend, there should be no issue with Nix throwing the ball on Sunday.
Looking to get after this weakened Chiefs defense and put them on the back foot from the off, Sutton to go over for the opening touchdown of the game on Sunday catches the eye here at +600.
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Kansas City Chiefs | +425 ML |
Denver Broncos | -575 ML |
Spread | DEN Broncos -10.5 |
Total Points | O/U 40.0 |
Courtland Sutton (DEN) | +600 |
Audric Estime (DEN) | +800 |
Javonte Williams (DEN) | +800 |
Bo Nix (DEN) | +1100 |
Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) | +1100 |
Marvin Mims (DEN) | +1200 |
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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.