Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos Predictions, Picks, Odds

The final week of regular-season NFL action kick things off Saturday mid-afternoon with a meaningful AFC West matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos. Coverage begins from Empower Field at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

SCORE PREDICTION

Chiefs 30, Broncos 13

BEST BETS

Chiefs -10.5 (-110) at BetMGM

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS VS. DENVER BRONCOS PREDICTIONS

After finishing last in the AFC West with a record of 5-11 SU last year, Denver posted a surprisingly solid start to this season, as the Broncos opened with a 6-5 SU and ATS run – while generating a sturdy 20.8 PPG offensively across that window.

The Broncos’ offense has practically vanished since their opening stretch though, considering Denver is just 1-4 SU and ATS across the last five games – while averaging just 16.6 PPG on 306.2 YPG during that timeframe.

On the other hand, Kansas City stumbled out to a similarly pedestrian start to the season, as the Chiefs kicked things off with a head-scratching 4-4 SU and 2-6 ATS run – with their only ATS victories across that span coming against Philadelphia and Washington.

Kansas City has looked virtually unstoppable since the midway point of the season though, considering the Chiefs boast records of 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS in their last eight games – while racking up 30.5 PPG offensively and surrendering just 15 PPG defensively across that span.

I’ll lay the points with Kansas City here, as the Broncos have scored 13 PTS or less in four of their last five games (16.5 PPG) – which doesn’t bode well with the Chiefs’ red-hot offense coming to town this Saturday (28.3 PPG, 397.3 YPG).

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS VS. DENVER BRONCOS BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds

The Broncos enter Sunday’s contest as double-digit home underdogs against the visiting Chiefs – marking the fourth time Kansas City has been favored by more than a touchdown across the last six games. The total for Sunday’s matchup is stationed just south of OU 45 at most shops, which ties the lowest over-under set for a Chiefs’ game all season.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS VS. DENVER BRONCOS BETTING RESOURCES

• Matchup: AFC West
• Date: Saturday, January 8, 2022
• Venue: Empower Field at Mile High Stadium
• Location: Denver, Colorado
• TV-Time: ESPN/ABC - 4:30 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report
• Super Bowl 56 Betting

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 11-5
• ATS: 8-8
• O/U: 9-7
• ATS - Away: 4-3

Since the beginning of the Patrick Mahomes era in Kansas City, it’s been incredibly uncommon for the Chiefs struggle during the first half of the season like they did this year, considering Kansas City previously posted three straight perfect 4-0 SU starts before stumbling out to a 4-4 SU start this season.

The Chiefs have dominated since their opening stretch though, considering the Chiefs enter Week 18 sitting at 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS across the last eight games – with their only SU loss coming in a thrilling shootout against the Bengals last week (L, 34-31).

DENVER BRONCOS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 7-9
• ATS: 7-9
• O/U: 4-12
• ATS - Home: 4-4

After finishing last in the AFC West last year, the Broncos made a fascinating decision to acquire Teddy Bridgewater from Carolina during the offseason – and it worked flawlessly to start, as Denver dominated the Giants, Jaguars, and Jets to kick off the new season (+50).

Denver’s initial success was extremely short-lived though, as the Broncos inevitably drew some tougher matchups across Weeks 4 through 7 – which resulted in relatively non-competitive losses to the Ravens, Browns, Raiders, and Steelers (-37).

Things have only gotten worse down the stretch too, considering the Broncos enter Week 18 sitting at 2-5 SU and ATS in their last seven games – while averaging just 17.7 PPG offensively across that window.

INSIDE THE STATS - KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Record: 11-5
• Division Standing: 1st - AFC West
• Points Scored: 452
• Points Allowed: 340
• PS/G: 28.3 (4th)
• PA/G: 21.3 (13th)

INSIDE THE STATS - DENVER BRONCOS

• Record: 7-9
• Division Standing: 4th - AFC West
• Points Scored: 311
• Points Allowed: 294
• PS/G: 19.4 (23rd)
• PA/G: 18.4 (3rd)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

• KNC: Patrick Mahomes - QB (66.6% CMP, 4,569 YDS, 35 TD, 13 INT)
• KNC: Tyreek Hill - WR (110 REC, 1,237 YDS, 9 TD)
• DEN: Drew Lock - QB (5 G, 63.2% CMP, 625 YDS, 2 TD, 2 INT)
• DEN: Javonte Williams - RB (Wk. 17 - 14 CAR, 1 REC, 32 TOT YDS)

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS VS. DENVER BRONCOS BETTING CONCLUSION

After posting a third straight loss in L. A. last week (L, 34-13), the Broncos enter their season finale as ten-point home underdogs against the visiting Chiefs – marking the third time Denver has been an underdog at home since Week 10.

I’ll lay the points with Kansas City here, as the Broncos sit at 1-4 SU and ATS across their last five games, while scoring 13 PTS or less in four of those matchups (16.6 PPG) – setting the stage for a rocky season finale against a Chiefs squad that has scored 31+ PTS in four straight events (37.3 PPG).

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS VS. DENVER BRONCOS BETTING TRENDS

• The Chiefs are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games against Denver.
• The Broncos are 1-4 ATS in their last five games.
• The total has gone UNDER in six of the last seven matchups between Denver and Kansas City.
• The Chiefs are 10-0 SU in their last ten matchups against Denver.

Where to place a bet this NFL Season?

• Use our exclusive BetMGM Bonus Code VIBONUS to unlock BetMGM’s welcome offer for new sportsbook users!
• Compare the latest NFL Odds from the best sportsbooks before placing a bet on this week's games.
• Check out the Kentucky Sportsbooks and their exciting pre-registration offers just before they launch legal online sports betting.