The NFL probably didn’t envision this kind of Christmas storyline when it penciled in the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos for a Week 17 primetime clash on Thursday Night Football. What was supposed to be a marquee AFC West showdown between playoff-bound rivals has turned into something very different - and very unexpected.
The Chiefs, sitting at 6-9, are officially out of the playoff race. That alone would’ve been a shocker back in September.
But the real gut punch came when Patrick Mahomes, the face of the franchise and arguably the league, suffered a torn ACL and LCL that ended his season early. That injury didn’t just derail Kansas City’s postseason hopes - it flipped the entire identity of the team.
Still, the show goes on. Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. local time at Arrowhead Stadium, with national coverage on Amazon Prime and local broadcasts available in both Kansas City and Denver.
And here’s the number that tells you everything about where things stand: Kansas City is opening as an 11.5-point underdog, per FanDuel Sportsbook. That’s not just rare - it’s historic. You’d have to dig deep into the archives to find a time when the Chiefs were this heavily counted out at home.
Just a few weeks ago in Week 11, the Chiefs were 3.5-point favorites when they traveled to Denver. That game ended in a 22-19 win for the Broncos, but Vegas still wasn’t ready to jump ship on Kansas City. Even without Mahomes, the Chiefs were favored heading into their Week 16 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
But that game - a 26-9 loss in Nashville - brought more than just another L. Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew, who had stepped in for Mahomes, also went down with what’s believed to be a torn ACL.
That leaves Kansas City likely turning to Chris Oladokun, a longtime practice squad QB, to start under center on Thursday night. It’s a next-man-up moment, but it’s also a steep climb against a Broncos team with playoff positioning on the line.
Denver, now 12-3, is still in the driver’s seat in the AFC West but can’t afford to coast. The 11-4 Los Angeles Chargers are right on their heels, and the division title is still very much up for grabs. The Broncos will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 34-20 home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16 - a game they entered as 3.5-point favorites.
So while the stakes may have changed for Kansas City, they’re still sky-high for Denver. And for the Chiefs, this game is less about standings and more about pride, resilience, and maybe a glimpse into what the future looks like without Mahomes - at least temporarily.
It’s not the Christmas classic the league had in mind, but it’s still a story worth watching.