Broncos Need Win Over Chiefs to Gain the Playoffs

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos NFL Week 18 Odds and betting preview

Specifically, Week 18 features the renewal of one of the oldest and best NFL betting odds rivalries. Correlate that the Denver Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.  Since 1960, the Chiefs and Broncos have shared the same division (AFC West) when both teams began operations as members of the American Football League. Now, Kansas City has clinched the top seed in the AFC.  Meanwhile, if the season ended now, Denver would gain the final wild card spot.  The problem is that the season ends on Sunday, and Denver needs a win to make the playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos Betting Information

Date and Time:Sunday, January 5, 2025, 4:25 p.m. ET
Location:Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
TV Coverage:CBS
Odds at SBG Sportsbook
TeamSpreadTotalML
Kansas City Chiefs+10½ ( -110 )40 ( -110 )+440
Denver Broncos-10½ ( -110 )40 ( -110 )-560
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Kansas City Chiefs Team Overview

Last game, the Kansas City Chiefs won 29-10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers as 1.5-point road favorites.  The game went under the Offshore betting total of 46.  Kansas City has a record of 15-1 straight up, 8-8 against the spread, and 7-9 over/under the total.  Kansas City ranks 13th for total offense, 11th for passing, 18th for rushing, and 11th for scoring.  Defensively, they rank 5th overall, 12th against the pass, 3rd against the rush, and 1st for points allowed.  Also, Kansas City ranks 7th for fewest turnovers lost and 14th for takeaways. Consider the impact of Kansas City’s win over a respected and playoff-bound Pittsburgh club. The Chiefs have plenty of doubters, but they continue to deliver against the best in the NFL.

Denver Broncos Team Overview

Last game, the Denver Broncos lost 30-24 against the Cincinnati Bengals as 3-point road dogs.  The game went over the Pro football Bets total of 50.  Denver has a record of 9-7 straight up, 11-5 against the spread and 11-5 over/under the total.  Denver ranks 23rd for total offense, 22nd for passing, 19th for rushing, and 10th for scoring.  Defensively, they rank 13th overall, 23rd against the pass, 7th against the rush, and 6th for points allowed.  Also, Denver ranks 16th for fewest turnovers lost and 8th for takeaways.

Denver quarterback Bo Nix and wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. made excellent plays near the end of regulation, putting the team in a position to tie or win the game. Down by one point with eight seconds left in regulation, Broncos head coach Sean Payton decided to go for the extra point, bringing the game to a 24-all score. This led to overtime, where the Broncos eventually lost to the Bengals 30-24.

Certainly, it was a costly defeat for Denver and indicative of their status as an unproven contender.

Chiefs at Broncos SBG Free Picks

Kansas City remains a highly public betting on pro football brand as the 2-time defending Super Bowl champion.  However, the Chiefs may be resting their key players with everything clinched for them.  Thus, Denver could be overpriced in this spot as a large home favorite.

The betting public will be jumping all over the Broncos. Cause by its thinking that Denver can’t miss in a must-win home game against the Chiefs backups.  Hence, that mindset makes Kansas City a classic contrarian pick. In sum, Kansas City has won 17 out of its last 18 games against the Broncos, and such habits die hard. Nine of the last 13 matchups between Kansas City and Denver went under the total.

Chiefs at Broncos SBG Best Bet:  Kansas City Chiefs and Under the Total