SNF FOOTBALL: DENVER BRONCOS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

BY ADAM GREENE

Here’s the good news for the Denver Broncos as they travel to the Show Me State to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football; they should be able to field a healthy quarterback. The bad news is the Chiefs are fielding their own quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, and he just happens to be the best in the NFL.

And SNF is lucky about that, because watching what Mahomes might unleash in prime time is the only thing getting the majority of America to tune into this game.

DENVER BRONCOS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-13.5, O/U: 51)

Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

Kickoff: Dec. 6, 8:20 p.m. EST

Broadcast: NBC

THE HISTORY

As two of the original AFL franchises, the Chiefs and Broncos have met 121 times since the league formed in 1960. Kansas City has dominated this match up since Denver quarterback Peyton Manning retired in 2015. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid claimed just two victories over the Manning-led Broncos, but he’s won every contest since, stretching the streak to 10 consecutive games. In spite of their lengthy history and both teams’ successes (they have eight Super Bowl appearances and three titles between them), they’ve never met in the postseason.

Their last meeting was on Oct. 25 of this year with Kansas City claiming a 43-16 victory. Mahomes finished 15 of 23 for 200 yards and a touchdown. Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran for 46 yards and a score. Drew Lock was 24 of 40 for 254 yards, no TDs and two interceptions. One was returned for a 50 yard touchdown by the Chiefs’ Daniel Sorenson. Kansas City also got a 102 yard kick off return for a score from Byron Pringle.

DENVER BRONCOS (4-7)

As I mentioned above, the Broncos actually should be able to put a QB on the field which gives them a distinct advantage over what they were able to do in their 31-3 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Kendall Hinton, pressed into service, completed one of nine for 13 yards and threw two interceptions. Denver’s defense did pick up three sacks and picked off Taysom Hill twice.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (10-1)

The Chiefs had a completely different experience last week as you’d expect, with Mahomes threw for 462 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tyreek Hill caught 13 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns, with most of it coming in the first quarter. Tight end Travis Kelce grabbed eight for 82 yards. The defense sacked Tom Brady once and picked him off twice.

THE PICK

The only real concern with picking this game is deciding if Kansas City will cover a two touchdown spread. There’s no question they can, but NFL teams and coaches have a habit of playing down to opponents late in the season and giving nary a thought to those that have plunked their hard-earned money on a 13.5-point spread, especially in a division game. Chiefs 31, Broncos 20

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