Chiefs backup QB Patrick Mahomes will get his first career start under center, while a host of other Kansas City starters are expected to either see limited action Sunday afternoon, or sit out altogether.
With Kansas City having already secured the AFC West title and home-field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs, the Chiefs are set to give some of their starters some needed rest as they visit the Denver Broncos.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 26 Dec 9:53am | KC | -3.5 -115 | O +39 -110 |
| Closing 31 Dec 6:38am | KC | -4.5 -110 | O +38 -110 |
The Chiefs come into this one getting more than a field goal, marking just the third time all season that Kansas City has been the underdog; it went 1-1 ATS in the other two games. But the Chiefs have struggled on the road, having failed to cover in their previous four games away from Arrowhead. That said, Denver has been a downright dreadful play this season, having gone 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games and 1-7 ATS in its previous eight following a loss.
Even with Mahomes starting and other first-team players expected to rest, Kansas City is the choice of 86 percent of Sports Interaction wagerers. Nearly three-quarters of bettors are leaning toward the under on the 38 ½-point total. Kansas City has gone below the total in six of its last seven games and is 1-4 O/U in its previous five games vs. AFC foes. The Broncos have gone under in five of six games, and are also 1-4 in their last five against conference opponents.
Kansas City Chiefs
There was talk of Mahomes replacing starter Alex Smith at some point this season. Of course, that was before Smith threw for 368 yards and four TDs in the opener en route to career highs in passing yards (4,042) and touchdowns (26). Look for Kareem Hunt to see a series or two at most, likely ceding the majority of work to backup Charcandrick West. The Chiefs are eyeing a season sweep after upending the Broncos 29-19 in Kansas City on Oct. 30.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos’ season-long quarterback carousel turns to Paxton Lynch to end a supremely disappointing 2017 campaign. Lynch returned to practice this week, having missed the last month with an ankle injury; the Denver coaching staff wants to see what they have in Lynch, who was expected to compete for a starting role coming into the season but was derailed by injuries and poor play. Denver is just 1-6-1 ATS as a favourite in 2017.
Weather
| temp | 17 |
| condition | cloudy |
| wind | Northeast 4mph |
Injuries
Travis Kelce (TE)
Tyreek Hill (WR)
Jarvis Jenkins (DL)
Albert Wilson (WR)
Phillip Gaines (DB)
De'Anthony Thomas (WR)
Kenneth Acker (DB)
Rakeem Nunez-Roches (DL)
Kevin Pierre-Louis (LB)
Cameron Erving (OL)
Jamaal Charles (RB)
Donald Stephenson (T)
Zach Kerr (DE)
Cody Latimer (WR)
Shane Ray (LB)
T.J. Ward (S)
Emmanuel Sanders (WR)
Trevor Siemian (QB)
Jamal Carter (S)
Todd Davis (LB)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Kelce (TE) | day-to-day | Concussion - 06 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
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Kelce left Saturday's game with a concussion and will not return. |
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| Tyreek Hill (WR) | Prob Sat | Personal - 04 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
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Hill is expected to play Saturday against the Titans despite dealing with a personal issue. |
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| Jarvis Jenkins (DL) | Prob Sat | Knee - 03 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
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Jenkins is battling a knee injury but is expected to play against the Titans in the AFC wild-card round. |
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| Albert Wilson (WR) | Prob Sat | Hamstring - 02 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
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Wilson has a hamstring injury but is expected to be available for the AFC wild-card round against the Titans. |
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| Phillip Gaines (DB) | I-R | Elbow - 31 / 12 / 17 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
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Gaines has an elbow injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. |
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| De'Anthony Thomas (WR) | I-R | Leg - 31 / 12 / 17 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
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Thomas sustained a broken tibia and is on the injured reserve list. |
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| Kenneth Acker (DB) | Ques Sun | Illness - 30 / 12 / 17 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
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Acker has an illness and his status is unknown for Sunday's game against the Broncos. |
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| Rakeem Nunez-Roches (DL) | Out Sat | Ankle - 30 / 12 / 17 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
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Nunez-Roches is nursing a right ankle injury and will be inactive against the Titans in the AFC wild-card round. |
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| Kevin Pierre-Louis (LB) | Ques Sat | Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 17 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
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Pierre-Louis is dealing with a shoulder injury and his status against the Titans in the AFC wild-card round is up in the air. |
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| Cameron Erving (OL) | Ques Sun | Illness - 30 / 12 / 17 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
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Erving has come down with an illness, leaving his availability against the Broncos on Sunday in question. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamaal Charles (RB) | Out Sun | Coach's Decision - 31 / 12 / 17 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Charles will not dress for Sunday's game against the Chiefs. |
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| Donald Stephenson (T) | Out Sun | Hand - 30 / 12 / 17 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
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Stephenson has a hand injury and has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs. |
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| Zach Kerr (DE) | Out Sun | Ankle - 29 / 12 / 17 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
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Kerr injured his ankle and will not be available for Sunday's game against the Chiefs. |
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| Cody Latimer (WR) | Out Sun | Thigh - 20 / 12 / 17 | 1-1 | 0-2 | + - |
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Latimer missed the last game with a thigh injury and will not play against the Chiefs on Sunday. |
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| Shane Ray (LB) | I-R | Wrist - 19 / 12 / 17 | 1-1 | 0-2 | + - |
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Ray is on injured reserve due to a wrist injury. |
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| T.J. Ward (S) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 19 / 12 / 17 | 1-1 | 0-2 | + - |
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Ward left the previous game with a concussion and his status is unclear for Sunday's tilt against the Panthers. |
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| Emmanuel Sanders (WR) | Out Sun | Ankle - 15 / 12 / 17 | 2-1 | 0-3 | + - |
|
Sanders was removed from the last game due to a bruised right ankle and will not be in the lineup Sunday against the Chiefs. |
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| Trevor Siemian (QB) | I-R | Shoulder - 14 / 12 / 17 | 2-1 | 0-3 | + - |
|
Siemian suffered a partial dislocation of his left shoulder and has been placed on injured reserve. |
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| Jamal Carter (S) | Prob Thurs | Shoulder - 11 / 12 / 17 | 2-1 | 0-3 | + - |
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Carter has a shoulder injury but it is not expected to prevent him from suiting up in Thursday's game against the Colts. |
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| Todd Davis (LB) | Prob Thurs | Concussion - 10 / 12 / 17 | 2-2 | 1-3 | + - |
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Davis departed the laset game to be evaluated for a concussion but will likely be cleared in time for Thursday's game against the Colts. |
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Chiefs vs. Broncos Prediction
-
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
24 -
DENVER BRONCOS
17
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 26 Dec 9:53am KC -3.5 -115 O +39 -110 Closing 31 Dec 6:38am KC -4.5 -110 O +38 -110 -
Weather
temp 17 condition cloudy wind Northeast 4mph -
Injuries
Travis Kelce (TE)
day-to-day Concussion - 06 / 01 / 18Tyreek Hill (WR)
Prob Sat Personal - 04 / 01 / 18Jarvis Jenkins (DL)
Prob Sat Knee - 03 / 01 / 18Albert Wilson (WR)
Prob Sat Hamstring - 02 / 01 / 18Phillip Gaines (DB)
I-R Elbow - 31 / 12 / 17De'Anthony Thomas (WR)
I-R Leg - 31 / 12 / 17Kenneth Acker (DB)
Ques Sun Illness - 30 / 12 / 17Rakeem Nunez-Roches (DL)
Out Sat Ankle - 30 / 12 / 17Kevin Pierre-Louis (LB)
Ques Sat Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 17Cameron Erving (OL)
Ques Sun Illness - 30 / 12 / 17Jamaal Charles (RB)
Out Sun Coach's Decision - 31 / 12 / 17Donald Stephenson (T)
Out Sun Hand - 30 / 12 / 17Zach Kerr (DE)
Out Sun Ankle - 29 / 12 / 17Cody Latimer (WR)
Out Sun Thigh - 20 / 12 / 17Shane Ray (LB)
I-R Wrist - 19 / 12 / 17T.J. Ward (S)
Ques Sun Concussion - 19 / 12 / 17Emmanuel Sanders (WR)
Out Sun Ankle - 15 / 12 / 17Trevor Siemian (QB)
I-R Shoulder - 14 / 12 / 17Jamal Carter (S)
Prob Thurs Shoulder - 11 / 12 / 17Todd Davis (LB)
Prob Thurs Concussion - 10 / 12 / 17Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Travis Kelce (TE) day-to-day Concussion - 06 / 01 / 18 1-0 1-0 + - Kelce left Saturday's game with a concussion and will not return.
Tyreek Hill (WR) Prob Sat Personal - 04 / 01 / 18 1-0 1-0 + - Hill is expected to play Saturday against the Titans despite dealing with a personal issue.
Jarvis Jenkins (DL) Prob Sat Knee - 03 / 01 / 18 1-0 1-0 + - Jenkins is battling a knee injury but is expected to play against the Titans in the AFC wild-card round.
Albert Wilson (WR) Prob Sat Hamstring - 02 / 01 / 18 1-0 1-0 + - Wilson has a hamstring injury but is expected to be available for the AFC wild-card round against the Titans.
Phillip Gaines (DB) I-R Elbow - 31 / 12 / 17 2-0 1-1 + - Gaines has an elbow injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list.
De'Anthony Thomas (WR) I-R Leg - 31 / 12 / 17 2-0 1-1 + - Thomas sustained a broken tibia and is on the injured reserve list.
Kenneth Acker (DB) Ques Sun Illness - 30 / 12 / 17 2-0 1-1 + - Acker has an illness and his status is unknown for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Rakeem Nunez-Roches (DL) Out Sat Ankle - 30 / 12 / 17 2-0 1-1 + - Nunez-Roches is nursing a right ankle injury and will be inactive against the Titans in the AFC wild-card round.
Kevin Pierre-Louis (LB) Ques Sat Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 17 2-0 1-1 + - Pierre-Louis is dealing with a shoulder injury and his status against the Titans in the AFC wild-card round is up in the air.
Cameron Erving (OL) Ques Sun Illness - 30 / 12 / 17 2-0 1-1 + - Erving has come down with an illness, leaving his availability against the Broncos on Sunday in question.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jamaal Charles (RB) Out Sun Coach's Decision - 31 / 12 / 17 0-1 0-1 + - Charles will not dress for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Donald Stephenson (T) Out Sun Hand - 30 / 12 / 17 0-1 0-1 + - Stephenson has a hand injury and has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Zach Kerr (DE) Out Sun Ankle - 29 / 12 / 17 0-1 0-1 + - Kerr injured his ankle and will not be available for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Cody Latimer (WR) Out Sun Thigh - 20 / 12 / 17 1-1 0-2 + - Latimer missed the last game with a thigh injury and will not play against the Chiefs on Sunday.
Shane Ray (LB) I-R Wrist - 19 / 12 / 17 1-1 0-2 + - Ray is on injured reserve due to a wrist injury.
T.J. Ward (S) Ques Sun Concussion - 19 / 12 / 17 1-1 0-2 + - Ward left the previous game with a concussion and his status is unclear for Sunday's tilt against the Panthers.
Emmanuel Sanders (WR) Out Sun Ankle - 15 / 12 / 17 2-1 0-3 + - Sanders was removed from the last game due to a bruised right ankle and will not be in the lineup Sunday against the Chiefs.
Trevor Siemian (QB) I-R Shoulder - 14 / 12 / 17 2-1 0-3 + - Siemian suffered a partial dislocation of his left shoulder and has been placed on injured reserve.
Jamal Carter (S) Prob Thurs Shoulder - 11 / 12 / 17 2-1 0-3 + - Carter has a shoulder injury but it is not expected to prevent him from suiting up in Thursday's game against the Colts.
Todd Davis (LB) Prob Thurs Concussion - 10 / 12 / 17 2-2 1-3 + - Davis departed the laset game to be evaluated for a concussion but will likely be cleared in time for Thursday's game against the Colts.