The Kansas City Chiefs visit the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, November 1, at 4:25 p.m. ET. The question is whether a Broncos offense gaining about 276 yards a game can score on the better defense in this matchup. Denver may have to answer it without its leading receiver.
The Matchup
Away: Kansas City Chiefs (5-1, 2-1 road)
Home: Denver Broncos (5-2, 3-0 home)
Venue: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Kickoff: Sunday, November 1, 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Line (DraftKings): KC -1.5, O/U 40.5
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos tickets
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What Decides It
Kansas City brings the better defense into this game. The Chiefs allow about 17 points a game while scoring about 24, a margin of nearly 7 points. Denver barely outscores its opponents, scoring about 21 and allowing about 20.
Recent form is mixed for Kansas City. The Chiefs scored just 3 points in a 20-3 road loss last time out, the game after holding their opponent to 6 points.
Denver's best opening is through the air, and that is exactly where its injury news hurts. The Broncos throw for about 182 yards a game, well below the nearly 230 the Chiefs allow. That gap means Kansas City's pass defense is more beatable than its scoring numbers suggest.
Both Chiefs cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Mansoor Delane are questionable, which widens the window. But Jaylen Waddle, Denver's leading receiver, is questionable with a chest injury. Without him, Bo Nix loses his most productive target in the one phase where Denver has a real chance to attack.
Mile High has been Denver's edge. The Broncos are 3-0 at home and 2-2 on the road. Their home wins in the last five games came by 4 points and in overtime, so the margin has been thin, but they keep finding ways to close.
That resilience matters because Denver's defense bends. The Broncos allow about 369 yards a game, more than the Chiefs give up, yet hold opponents to about 20 points. They will need that formula again against a Kansas City offense averaging about 387 yards.
Players to Watch
Kansas City Chiefs
Passing: Patrick Mahomes – 124-191, 1474 YDS, 9-4 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Kenneth Walker III – 120 ATT, 701 YDS, 6 TD
Receiving: Travis Kelce – 24 REC, 343 YDS, 2 TD
Denver Broncos
Passing: Bo Nix – 129-218, 1271 YDS, 7-3 (TD-INT)
Rushing: J.K. Dobbins – 87 ATT, 293 YDS, 3 TD
Receiving: Jaylen Waddle – 26 REC, 276 YDS, 1 TD
Injury Report
Kansas City Chiefs
L'Jarius Sneed (CB): Questionable – Knee
Mansoor Delane (CB): Questionable – Shoulder
R Mason Thomas (DE): Questionable – Personal
Omarr Norman-Lott (DT): Out – Knee (ACL)
Brashard Smith (RB): Injured Reserve – Hamstring
Denver Broncos
Jaylen Waddle (WR): Questionable – Chest
Zach Allen (DE): Questionable – Hamstring
Brandon Jones (S): Questionable – Hamstring
Talanoa Hufanga (S): Out – Ankle
RJ Harvey (RB): Out – Knee
Prediction
The Chiefs run for about 142 yards a game, and Denver allows about 133 on the ground, with Zach Allen questionable up front. Walker should control the clock, and Denver's offense lacks the yardage to keep pace if Waddle sits. Mile High keeps it close, but Kansas City's defense makes the final stop.