Three Big Questions for the Chiefs Heading Into Their Christmas Clash with the Broncos
The Kansas City Chiefs are back at Arrowhead on Christmas night, hosting the 12-3 Denver Broncos in what could be the final home game of the season - and possibly the last one for some franchise icons. With playoff hopes long gone and the team coming off a flat-out uninspired loss to the Titans, this game suddenly carries more emotional weight than postseason implications.
So, what can we expect from Kansas City as they face a red-hot division rival? Here are three storylines to watch.
1. Will the Chiefs Show Some Fight?
Let’s be honest - last week in Tennessee was rough. The Chiefs didn’t just lose; they looked like a team already on vacation.
No Mahomes, no energy, no spark. It was a 17-point blowout that felt worse than the score suggested.
The Titans, despite their struggles this season, came out with purpose. Kansas City?
Not so much.
And sure, it’s hard to blame a team that’s been to three straight Super Bowls for looking a little checked out in a meaningless Week 16 game. The reality is, this roster could look very different in 2026. The offseason looms, and for a team used to playing for championships, this is unfamiliar territory.
But that doesn’t mean the Chiefs should mail it in. Not at Arrowhead.
Not on Christmas night. And certainly not against a Broncos team that’s still fighting for the AFC West crown and a shot at the No. 1 seed in the conference.
This is a chance for Kansas City to play spoiler - to remind the rest of the league that even in a down year, they’re not an easy out. It’s also a chance to give the home crowd something to cheer for after a disappointing stretch. If the Chiefs can bring more juice than they did in Nashville, this could be a far more competitive and meaningful game, even without playoff implications.
2. Could This Be Travis Kelce’s Last Arrowhead Moment?
We don’t know if this is the end for Travis Kelce at home - but it could be. He’s not under contract for next season, and retirement has been on his mind for a while now. If this is truly his final game at Arrowhead, it deserves to be a moment.
Last week, Kelce had just one catch for six yards. That’s not how a future Hall of Famer should go out. He’s meant for the big stage, the big moment - and there’s still time for one more.
Kelce has built a legacy in Kansas City that won’t be defined by a quiet finish. But you know he wants to go out swinging. Whether that means a touchdown, a vintage seam route, or just a big third-down conversion that gets the Arrowhead crowd roaring, this game offers a chance for one last signature Kelce moment.
And let’s not forget - this is a rivalry game. Beating Denver one last time, especially if it ruins the Broncos’ shot at the top seed, would be a fitting final act. If Kelce’s suiting up for the last time in front of Chiefs Kingdom, expect him to leave it all on the field.
3. Will the Chiefs Give the Young Guns a Real Shot?
One of the most frustrating parts of last week’s loss wasn’t just the lack of effort - it was the lack of experimentation. With nothing on the line, it would’ve made sense to give rookies like wide receiver Jalen Royals and running back Brashard Smith some real run. Instead, they combined for just one opportunity.
That’s a missed chance.
Royals was a fourth-round pick - a guy the team clearly saw potential in. Smith, a seventh-rounder, was more of a long shot, but he’s shown flashes.
This is the time to find out what these young players can do. Can Royals separate against NFL corners?
Can Smith make plays in space? These are the questions that matter now.
Meanwhile, veterans like Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster continue to get the lion’s share of reps. Both are set to hit free agency in 2026.
Even if one or both are re-signed, we already know what they bring. The unknowns - the rookies - are where the intrigue lies.
If the Chiefs are going to play with the same flat energy they showed last week, they might as well hand the ball to guys who are itching to prove themselves. Give Royals a few deep shots.
Let Smith catch a screen and see what he can do in the open field. These are the kinds of reps that help shape the offseason plan.
Bottom Line
This Christmas game isn’t about standings. It’s about pride, legacy, and maybe even a glimpse into the future.
The Broncos come in with everything to play for. The Chiefs?
They’ve got something to prove - to themselves, to their fans, and to the players who might be part of the next chapter.
Whether it’s Travis Kelce chasing one last moment, the rookies trying to make their mark, or the team trying to bounce back from a lifeless loss, there’s still something worth watching in Kansas City. Arrowhead deserves a show. Let’s see if the Chiefs deliver one.