With the playoffs looming and the AFC West still up for grabs, the Denver Broncos head into a Christmas night showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs knowing exactly what’s at stake. Win, and they move one step closer to clinching the division.
Lose, and the road gets a whole lot bumpier. The good news?
This is a Chiefs team that’s far from full strength. The bad news?
It’s still the Chiefs - and it’s still primetime.
Denver’s been lights out under the national spotlight this season, undefeated in primetime games and playing some of their best football when the cameras are rolling. But this one’s different. This isn’t just about maintaining a perfect record under the lights - it’s about keeping playoff hopes alive and avoiding a late-season stumble that could undo months of progress.
Yes, Kansas City is down to its third-string quarterback, but that doesn’t mean Denver can afford to take its foot off the gas. Chris Oladokun may be inexperienced, but he’s mobile, he’s confident, and he’s got just enough talent to make a defense pay if it gets too comfortable. This is no time for a trap game mentality.
If the Broncos are going to keep their postseason push on track, they’ll need a few key players to step up in a big way. Here are three Broncos who could be primed for a breakout performance on Christmas night:
3. John Franklin-Myers - DE
There’s a lot riding on these next two weeks for John Franklin-Myers - and not just for the Broncos. The veteran defensive end is the only major pending free agent on the roster who hasn’t inked an extension, and with the postseason approaching, he’s essentially auditioning for 31 other teams.
But make no mistake: JFM isn’t just playing for his next contract - he’s playing for impact now. With the Chiefs likely leaning on a simplified game plan to support their third-string QB, this is an opportunity for Franklin-Myers to feast. Disrupt the pocket, force mistakes, and he could tilt the game in Denver’s favor while boosting his value in the process.
2. Troy Franklin - WR
Troy Franklin has quietly emerged as one of the Broncos’ most promising young weapons. Over the past two games, he’s racked up 151 receiving yards and is starting to look like a long-term piece in Denver’s offensive puzzle.
Now comes the chance to introduce himself to a national audience. With his combination of speed, route-running, and growing chemistry with the Broncos’ quarterbacks, Franklin is in a prime spot to make noise against a Kansas City secondary that’s shown some vulnerability this season. If he keeps trending upward, Franklin could finish the year flirting with 800 yards and six-plus touchdowns - a strong rookie campaign by any measure.
1. RJ Harvey - RB
Let’s talk about RJ Harvey. The rookie running back is coming off the best game of his young career - 121 total yards and another touchdown in a tough loss to Jacksonville. That was his 11th score of the season, and it solidified his status as the Broncos’ top back heading into the most important stretch of the year.
Harvey runs with a blend of vision, burst, and toughness that’s hard to ignore. He’s not just a change-of-pace guy anymore - he’s becoming the engine of this offense.
And with the Chiefs’ defense likely keying in on the passing game, Harvey could have room to operate. If he breaks loose again in primetime, expect the national conversation around him to ramp up in a big way.
Final Word
The Broncos have clawed their way back into relevance this season, and now they’ve got a chance to show the country just how far they’ve come. But this game isn’t just about the spotlight - it’s about execution, urgency, and seizing a golden opportunity to control their postseason fate. If Franklin-Myers, Franklin, and Harvey rise to the occasion, Denver could end Christmas night with more than just a win - they could take a giant step toward locking up the division.