Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Chiefs in Denver.
Live updates
Pre-game updates
Scouting report (10:51 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Chiefs in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 20, Chiefs 17
Maybe it’ll end up being smooth sailing for Denver. The status as a big home favorite will make for a festive Week 18 and a cathartic end to the playoff drought. But it’s hard to imagine Kansas City, the longtime divisional big brother, rolling over and letting it happen that easily. Even with Patrick Mahomes in a ball cap. Even with other key players only watching. Coach Andy Reid and DC Steve Spagnuolo don’t have to take the week off. Still, Denver makes good on chance No. 3 and punches its ticket.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 26, Chiefs 17
Third time’s the charm, right? Denver has shown it can beat the Chiefs. A blocked field goal attempt at Arrowhead took away the Broncos’ chance of pulling their biggest upset of the season. On Sunday, however, the Broncos will be playing against a bunch of the Chiefs’ backups. The game will be closer than expected, but the Broncos should take care of business in front of their home crowd. If not, they never deserved to be in the playoffs to begin with.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 22, Chiefs 19
The K.C. bench would like nothing more than to send the Broncos to the beach. But without Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, Travis Kelce and Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs are not upsetting the Broncos. Sean Payton will find himself in rhythm with the run game — meaning Bo Nix is a big part of it on RPOs — as the Broncos advance to the playoffs with a white-knuckle win.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Broncos 25, Chiefs 14
As much as Kansas City might like to spoil the Broncos’ parade to the playoffs, every decision its coaching staff has made leading into this one indicates just how little they actually care. It’s hard to beat a team with that sort of posture, especially one as motivated as the Broncos playing in front of a frothing-at-the-mouth home crowd. The postseason drought ends Sunday, with a trip to sunny Buffalo a fitting reward after the debacle that was the last two weeks.
Broncos-Chiefs NFL Week 18: Must-reads
Broncos’ Garett Bolles, Courtland Sutton have “put up with a lot of garbage” over the years. Is their playoff moment finally about to arrive?
Beginning with a win against Green Bay last year, the Broncos under Payton won 16 of their next 25 games, including an expectation-blasting 9-5 start to 2024.
But now they’ve lost their past two and likely have to win Sunday against Kansas City to finally put that playoff drought to bed. To get to the postseason for the first time since winning the Super Bowl in 2015. To shake the albatross off the back of Bolles, Denver’s longest-tenured Bronco, and its other elder statesman, receiver Courtland Sutton.
“They’ve put up with a lot of garbage over the years and it’s time we give them the ability to cash in,” Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey said Wednesday. “We’re excited to do that. We talked about that as an offense today. You’re not just playing for yourself. You’re playing for your city, you’re playing for your organization, you’re certainly playing for the players that have been here for a long time.” Read Parker Gabriel’s full story.
Broncos HC Sean Payton says CB Pat Surtain II should win DPOY: “It’s an easy case to make”
No cornerback has been named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year since Stephon Gilmore in 2019. Sean Payton strongly believes Pat Surtain II should end that streak.
Surtain, Denver’s star defensive back, is currently a betting favorite to be named the AP Defensive Player of the Year, according to FanDuel. He is ahead of outside linebackers T.J. Watt (Steelers), Myles Garrett (Browns) and Andrew Van Ginkel (Vikings), and safety Kerby Joseph (Lions).
Teammate and outside linebacker Nik Bonitto has the ninth-best odds to win the award. Read Ryan McFadden’s full story.
Renck: After whiffing twice on playoff berth, Broncos’ Sean Payton has chance for redemption against Chiefs
The Broncos needed a seismic change in leadership, and owner Greg Penner realized it. Two years ago, after watching Dalton Risner shove Brett Rypien, after watching Randy Gregory punch a Los Angeles Ram, after hearing “SpongeBob Squarepants” character Patrick Star roast Russell Wilson, Penner fired Nathaniel Hackett.
You can draw a line from that Christmas Day game to Sunday. Win, and the Broncos are in the playoffs. Penner rescued the Broncos by hiring Sean Payton. He established a culture and created accountability, but as Denver sits on the doorstep of its first postseason appearance since 2015, questions persist about Payton’s mindset. Read Troy Renck’s full column.
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