Chiefs (4-2) at Broncos (2-4)
Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET, Empower Field at Mile High, Denver TV: NFL Network, Fox
Danny Sheridan’s line: Chiefs by 5
Chiefs’ keys to victory: QB Patrick Mahomes, who has thrown for at least 315 yards in five of the six games this season, will look to attack a Denver secondary that has been exposed by the absence of CB Bryce Callahan (foot). Callahan’s replacement, Isaac Yiadom, has looked so poor that he was benched in favor of Davontae Harris, who started the season as the sixth-string cornerback. Kansas City needs to harass Broncos QB Joe Flacco, who has turned the football over seven times in six games.
Broncos’ keys to victory: The Chiefs are beatable – they’ve lost their last two games, and two of their wins were decided by less than a touchdown. The Chiefs’ defense has allowed opposing starting running backs to rush for at least 99 yards in five of six games this season, so expect the Broncos to get RBs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman involved early. On defense, Denver needs to keep Mahomes in the pocket.
Matchup to watch: Chiefs TE Travis Kelce vs. Broncos LBs Alexander Johnson and Todd Davis. Kelce has been Mahomes’ favorite target this season and has caught 55 passes for 762 yards and four touchdowns in nine games against Denver. Kelce likely will be matched up against a linebacker, a big mismatch in the Chiefs’ favor.
Who wins? The last three times the Chiefs have played in Denver, the game has been decided by four or fewer points. The Broncos always seem to put up a good fight against their AFC West rivals, but Kansas City’s high-scoring offense will be too much to overcome.
Chiefs, 28-24