Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Denver Broncos: Prediction, Best Bets, Odds, Depth Charts (10/29/23)

The Kansas City Chiefs are headed to Denver to take on the Broncos for the second time in less than three weeks. After the Chiefs won just 19-8 in their last matchup, the best bet for this game is Under 46 total points.

Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Denver Broncos Prediction

The Kansas City Chiefs are on a six-game win streak after just beating the Los Angeles Chargers 31-17. This will be their third straight divisional game. The Chiefs have quietly retaken the sole lead in the AFC after the Miami Dolphins fell to the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday.

If you haven’t heard by now, the majority of the buzz around the Chiefs has surrounded the romance between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. While that’s attracted the spotlight during Kansas City games, the Chiefs continue to roll out wins. For reigning Super Bowl champions, the team’s actual play hasn’t garnered that much attention.

Part of the lack of buzz is the Chiefs offense. They have not been nearly as explosive under Patrick Mahomes, mostly because they don’t have many weapons outside of Travis Kelce. Instead, the Chiefs have relied on their defense, which ranks seventh in total yards allowed, sixth in passing yards given up and second in scoring.

Meanwhile, the Broncos got a nice win over the Green Bay Packers this Sunday, just their second of the season. It’s been all drama in Denver as new head coach Sean Payton has yet to transform Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense into anything resembling a powerhouse. They finally got their second win of the year, but against a Packers team with similar struggles and inconsistencies. Unless the offense turns it around big time, it’s hard to imagine Wilson will be there next season.

Not only has the Broncos offense struggled, but the defense has taken a major step back. They are last in total yards allowed, points allowed and rushed yards given up per game. The positive is they’ve limited their last two opponents to an average of 18 points each. If they can continue this going forward, they will have a much better shot at staying in games.

Barring a wild upset, the Chiefs should be able to win and cover no problem. Any other result would be pretty disappointing for Kansas City as they try to defend their title.

Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Denver Broncos Prediction: Chiefs -7

Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Denver Broncos Best Odds

The Chiefs are favored by -7 points over the Broncos. The Broncos held the Chiefs to just 19 points a couple weeks ago, but still lost by over a touchdown. The over/under is set at 46. Given the Broncos offense these days, the under is the tempting pick.

Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Denver Broncos Key Injuries

The Chiefs had three players who didn’t practice including running back Jerick McKinnon, linebacker Nick Bolton and kicker Harrison Butler. Bolton is no surprise as he just had surgery to repair his dislocated wrist and will most likely be placed on Injured Reserve. Butker hitting the injury report is a surprise. Butler’s one of the best kickers in the league, so KC will hope he’s better by game time. Wide receiver Justin Watson was a full participant in practice.

On the Broncos side, running back Dwayne Washington was the only player on the report to not practice Thursday. Safety Justin Simmons and offensive tackle Garrett Boles were both limited with hip injuries.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos Key Matchups

It’s no secret that the hardest weapon for the Broncos to stop is the Chiefs star tight end.

Travis Kelce Vs. Broncos Secondary

The best way for the Broncos to have a shot versus the Chiefs is to slow down Travis Kelce. Easier said than done of course. Denver didn’t necessarily stop Kelce two weeks ago when the All-Pro tight end went for 124 yards on nine receptions, but they did hold him without a touchdown and the Chiefs to just 19 points. Kelce is coming off back-to-back receiving games, including nabbing 12 receptions for 179 yards and a touchdown this past weekend.

Given the weakness of the Denver pass defense, stopping Kelce is especially challenging. With Justin Simmons dealing with a hip injury, they are even more limited. Still, Kelce is the only consistent weapon the Chiefs have. If they slow him down, Mahomes will be forced to rely on his other options.

Kansas City Chiefs Depth Chart

QB: Patrick Mahomes
RB1: Isiah Pacheco
RB2: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
LWR: Skyy Moore
RWR: Marquez Valdes-Scatnling
SWR: Kadarius Toney
TE1: Travis Kelce

Denver Broncos Depth Chart

QB: Russell Wilson
RB1: Javonte Williams
RB2: Jaleel McLaughin
LWR: Jerry Jeudy
RWR: Courtland Sutton
SWR: Marvin Mims Jr.
TE1: Adam Trautman