Overview
- Kansas City enters 5-4 at Denver’s 8-2 with the matchup widely viewed as pivotal to the AFC West and the Chiefs’ nine-year division run.
- Andy Reid said the post-bye practices showed focus and urgency, and Patrick Mahomes called the trip to Denver a huge divisional test in a hostile setting.
- Denver is set to be without cornerback Patrick Surtain II, running back J.K. Dobbins and linebacker Alex Singleton, while the Chiefs expect RB Isiah Pacheco not to practice this week after a knee issue.
- ESPN’s model gives the Broncos about a 44.6% chance to win the division versus 25.5% for the Chiefs, yet FanDuel lists Denver as a +3.5 home underdog as Reid brings a 22-4 record off byes.
- Non-QB factors are in focus, with Kareem Hunt credited for key fourth-down conversions for Kansas City and Travis Kelce noting Denver’s altitude challenge, as some analysts even predict a Chiefs run to the finish.