The Denver Broncos (9-7) host the Kansas City Chiefs today, who will be without several key starters for today’s matchup due to rest for the playoffs. Denver’s chances at making the playoffs for the first time in nine years hinges on today and a win puts them in.
Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs All-or-Nothing AFC Showdown
Here is the tale of the tape for Sunday’s Week 18 showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s all or nothing for the Broncos whose playoff hopes hinge on a win today.
Broncos offense:
- Net Yards Per Game: 314.9 (22nd)
- Points Per Game: 24.2 (10th)
- Net Rushing Yards Per Game: 109.4 (17th)
- Net Passing Yards Per Game: 205.6 (22nd)
- Sacks Allowed: 24 (T-3rd)
- Third Down Conversion Percentage: 37.5% (18th)
- Red Zone Conversion Percentage: 60.8% (8th)
- Top Offensive Players: Bo Nix, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims
- Leading Rusher: Javonte Williams (485 rushing yards)
- Leading Receiver: Courtland Sutton (983 receiving yards, seven touchdowns)
Chiefs Defense:
- Net Yards Allowed Per Game: 310.8 (4th)
- Points Per Game Allowed: 18.0 (2nd)
- Net Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 98.3 (4th)
- Net Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 212.4 (14th)
- Sacks: 39 (T-14th)
- Third Down Conversion Percentage: 41.3% (T-21st)
- Red Zone Conversion Percentage: 49.0% (6th)
- Top Defensive Players: George Karlaftis, Chris Jones, Trent McDuffie, Nick Bolton
- Leading Sack Producer: George Karlaftis (8.0 sacks)
- Leading Tackler: Nick Bolton (106 tackles)
- Interception Leader: Jaden Hicks (Three interceptions)
Broncos Defense:
- Net Yards Allowed Per Game: 330.8 (15th)
- Points Per Game Allowed: 19.4 (5th)
- Net Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 100.8 (8th)
- Net Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 230.1 (25th)
- Sacks: 58 (1st)
- Third Down Conversion Percentage: 38.3% (14th)
- Red Zone Conversion Percentage: 46.9% (4th)
- Top Defensive Players: Patrick Surtain II, Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen
- Leading Sack Producer: Nik Bonitto (11.5)
- Leading Tackler: Brandon Jones (114)
- Interception Leader: Patrick Surtain II (4)
Chiefs Offense:
- Net Yards Per Game: 342.0 (13th)
- Points Per Game: 24.1 (11th)
- Net Rushing Yards Per Game: 110.2 (16th)
- Net Passing Yards Per Game: 231.8 (10th)
- Sacks Allowed: 36 (T-13th)
- Third Down Conversion Percentage: 50% (T-1st)
- Red Zone Conversion Percentage: 53.9% (T-20th)
- Top Offensive Players: Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco
- Leading Rusher: Kareem Hunt (728 rushing yards)
- Leading Receiver: Travis Kelce (823 receiving yards)
Notable Injuries for Sunday’s game
Denver Broncos:
- RB Tyler Badie has been ruled out as a healthy scratch.
- OT Frank Crum has been ruled out with an illness
Kansas City Chiefs Injury Report:
- QB Patrick Mahomes is doubtful to play.
- TE Travis Kelce is doubtful to play.
- RB Isiah Pacheco has been ruled out.
- OT Jawaan Taylor has been ruled out.
- WR Mecole Hardman has been ruled out.
- WR Jaylen Watson has been ruled out.
- DL Chris Jones is doubtful to play.
- LB Nick Bolton is doubtful to play.
- RB Kareem Hunt is doubtful to play.
- DE George Karlaftis is doubtful to play.
- Safety Justin Reid is doubtful to play.
- LB Drue Tranquill is doubtful to play.
Biggest key for the Denver Broncos – Dictate the game from start to finish
For the second week in a row, it’s quite simple. Win, and you’re in. It doesn’t matter who the Broncos are playing against — the key is to find a way to win, and that starts with getting off to a fast start and maintaining it at home.
With Kansas City resting a handful of their starters, it’s important the Broncos come out from the onset, impose their will, and control the tempo and pace of the game. Offensively, the Broncos need to commit to the run game and open up the rest of the offense for Bo Nix. Defensively, the Broncos need to attack Carson Wentz with their league-leading pass rush, and the back end of the secondary has to shore up some of the miscommunication issues they’ve had in the last handful of games.
The Chiefs offense won’t have the normal firepower they usually do, but they’ll have a handful of guys who are eager to showcase their value to Andy Reid as depth and developmental players.
Matchup to watch for – Bo Nix vs. KC Defense
Bo Nix has 25 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions on the season while also having four rushing touchdowns on the ground with one receiving touchdown. He already has 30 all-purpose touchdowns this season, which has been a great accomplishment for him in his rookie year, and he’ll have the chance to add to the totals on Sunday.
With Kansas City’s defense being stripped down without several key starters, it will be important for Denver to come out and establish the run with Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime. Having a run game threat will allow Nix and the passing offense to challenge the defense, instead of allowing them to drop six or seven defenders back into zone where they’ll aim to prevent the deep shots downfield. Courtland Sutton is 82 yards away from receiving $500,000 in incentives, and history has always shown head coach Sean Payton always tries to get his guys their money. A productive run game will open up some deep shot opportunities for Nix and Sutton to help him get his extra coin.