When the Broncos (6-5) travel to face the Chiefs (7-4) in Week 13’s penultimate game on “Sunday Night Football” (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC), they’ll find a way to do it. for the tight AFC West racing a heat death. Kansas City entered the week with a one-game lead over Denver, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
The captains overcame initial defensive difficulties and mid-season attacking hiccups with Patrick Mahomes. They hope to get back completely on track for a long-term AFC takeover with their eyes looking beyond the leagues, towards a third consecutive trip to the Super Bowl.
Kansas City lost to Los Angeles but beat Las Vegas in their first meetings. Taking care of the Broncos will be key for the Chiefs to create some seclusion. Mahomes will be up against Teddy Bridgewater, who has relied heavily on running and defending to win matches.
Here’s how Sporting News watched the full game unfold in prime time:
Odds Chiefs vs. Broncos for Sunday Night Football
- Transmitted: Head of 9.5
- On lower: 47.5
- Moneyine: Broncos +350, Chief -250
The Chiefs have been floating near double-digit favorites since the very first lines. That’s a pretty big margin for “SNF,” especially for a game this snappy last in the season. The Broncos are on a nice win over the Chargers, but the mystery surrounding Andy Reid’s post-goodbye success remains huge.
(betting odds per FanDuel Sportsbook)
Chiefs vs. All Time Series. Broncos
The captains lead their longtime rivalry 67-55. Mahomes is 7-0 against the Broncos. He started in an 11-game streak overall for Kansas City, which is amazing in the same league. The Broncos last won in September 2015, at Arrowhead Stadium. It was the season Denver won the Super Bowl with Peyton Manning.
Three trends to know
—53 percent of spread bettors like the Chiefs to take care of their sizable numbers at home due to the Chiefs’ recent history of goodbyes and total dominance over the Broncos.
—62 percent of over/under bets think totals under 50 are too high despite how the Captains can get through and the Broncos can run.
—The Broncos are 5-5 to odds and 5-5 in a row to odds in their past 10 games for a total of just two of those games. The captain was 4-6 ATS at 6-4 SU and only four of those 10 games ended.
Three things to see
How much will the chief run the ball?
Denver’s defense was number 12 compared to the run. But the Chiefs should feel more confident about their attack with a healthy attack and Clyde Edwards-Helaire poised for plenty of touches in the second half. They need to adjust their balance needs from week to week and that will put a lot of pressure on Mahomes as the passing in-game gain will come in due course.
How much will the Broncos pass the ball?
Kansas City’s defense is number 24 against the pass. But the Broncos tend to be too conservative with Bridgewater, expecting both to run to score and win with veteran Melvin Gordon and rookie Javonte Williams. While it worked against inferior teams or when things clicked with the game script, they had weapons that caused problems with wide receivers Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick and tight endings. Noah Fant. Bridgewater, battling a tibia injury, had to have a big game to keep the Broncos entertained at the thought of a great sadness.
Which Mahomes will appear?
Mahomes suffered the first crisis of his young career when he didn’t feel or look like a laborer. But he needs to remember his star was formed when he started against the Broncos first and then led a great comeback against the team itself during his rise to MVP. Expect Mahomes to settle at his peak after a much needed mental break.
Important stats
March 19 and 7-1. The first is Reid’s overall coaching record in games played after his team’s goodbye week. The second number is specific about what he did to the chiefs. Reid says there’s no secret or magic formula for success, but it detracts from the way he and his staff are organized, prepared, and tuned from game to game, season after season. to another season, the first half to the second half. Directors are not afraid to make significant personnel or philosophy changes to achieve better results.
Chiefs vs Broncos Predictions
On paper, the Broncos should have more offensive firepower with Bridgewater but they can’t keep their receiver engaged well enough to win a shootout like this. They will be hoping Gordon and Williams run well with the help of tight possession and their defence can put on a performance featuring Justin Herbert and the Chargers. However, the Chiefs can make things difficult on Bridgewater and will tune in to properly exploit holes in the Broncos’ coverage. Mahomes won’t give up Denver when his team needs to beat that opponent most.
Chiefs 31, Broncos 23
