The Chiefs head to Denver with a chance to put the AFC West in a tighter grip, but the prediction split around this Week 8 rematch tells you plenty about how tricky this one feels. Kansas City was hammered by the Broncos in Week 1, yet the Chiefs are still listed as -1.5 point favorites for the return trip to Mile High. That alone has created a sharp divide among the writers making their picks.
A handful of them see Kansas City bouncing back from its ugly loss in Seattle and doing just enough to leave Denver with the win. Price Carter likes the Chiefs to cover if Jaylon Moore and Rashee Rice return, calling for a 22-17 Kansas City victory.
Bransen Gibson expects the Chiefs to avoid back-to-back bad outings and says Week 1 gave them the formula, picking Chiefs 23, Broncos 20. Lyle Graversen also has Kansas City by three, 23-20, while Greg Morse thinks the Chiefs’ defense will take over in a 24-10 win.
Shawn O'Brate sees a much tighter finish, with Harrison Butker potentially deciding it late on a game-winning field goal in a 24-23 Chiefs win. Charles Robinson is even more confident in a rebound, predicting Chiefs 29, Broncos 16.
Stacy Smith also lands on Kansas City, 24-21, in a game that comes down to a crucial turnover.
But the Broncos have plenty of believers too, and their case starts with the idea that Week 8 is a different animal than Week 1. Matt Conner points to Jonathon Cooper’s return as the biggest change between the first meeting and this one, and he has Denver winning 19-16.
Braden Holecek doesn’t think Kansas City sweeps the season series, citing Denver’s offensive line, secondary, and the Chiefs’ issues rushing the passer and getting reliable play from wide receivers. His pick: Broncos 23, Chiefs 17.
Scott Loring goes with Denver as well, saying a cornered Broncos team gets revenge and predicting Broncos 27, Chiefs 20.
The backdrop is simple enough: Denver has won five of its last six, while Kansas City opened 5-0 before stumbling in Seattle. The rematch now carries real weight at the top of the division, and the experts are split on whether the Chiefs steady themselves or the Broncos repeat the first-round knockout.
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Chiefs Wide Receiver Search Just Took A More Urgent Turn
The Chiefs search for wide receiver help has become a more pressing storyline as the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaches, with ESPNs Jeremy Fowler reporting that Kansas City is exploring multiple ways to upgrade the position. The team has been evaluating its options carefully, and the market appears to be drawing real attention as the front office weighs what it might take to add another pass-catching threat.
Fowler pointed to Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jaguars and Josh Downs of the Colts as two names on the radar, underscoring how wide the Chiefs may be casting their net. No deal is in place, and the challenge now is less about identifying targets than figuring out which clubs are willing to listen, and at what price. [Read more 🡒]
Ja'Marr Chase Just Reignited A Chiefs Rivalry Fans Haven't Forgotten
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For Kansas City, it is the kind of reminder that this matchup still carries more edge than a typical AFC game. Chase made clear the dislike is still there, even while acknowledging the Chiefs' quality and how hard these games tend to be when the teams do line up, which is exactly why fans on both sides have not forgotten what happened when the stakes were highest. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Secondary Suddenly Has A Denver Problem They Cant Ignore
The Chiefs are heading into an AFC West matchup with a thinner secondary than they would like, and the timing could not be much tougher with Denver on deck. Kansas City has already had to adjust its defensive plans around injuries in the back end, and the groups depth is suddenly going to be tested in a game that usually demands clean coverage and communication.
Mansoor Delane will not be available after being ruled out with a shoulder injury, while L'Jarius Sneed is also out of the picture as he goes on injured reserve because of a knee issue. Those absences leave Kansas City with some real questions to answer on the perimeter, and how the Chiefs sort through them against the Broncos will be one of the more important subplots of the week. [Read more 🡒]