Week 18 Chiefs vs Broncos: Predictions, Player Props, and Best Odds

• A win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday will send the Denver Broncos to the playoffs
• Denver is a massive 10.5-point favorite over a KC team resting most of its starters
• See the Chiefs vs Broncos predictions, player props, and best available odds

The Denver Broncos (9-7, 5-2 home, ATS) are on the verge of breaking a near-decade playoff drought, needing just one more win to punch their ticket to the dance. Denver has caught a massive break, as well, facing the Kansas City Chiefs (15-1, 7-1 away, ATS), who have already clinched the #1 seed in the AFC and will mostly be playing backups in Week 18. The Chiefs and Broncos kick off from Empower Field at Mile High at 2:25 pm CT/4:25 pm ET on Sunday.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos Prediction

Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, George Karlaftis, Chris Jones, Justin Reid, and a host of other KC starters are officially listed as “doubtful” and it would be foolish to assume that any are going to see meaningful playing time. But even though everyone and their dog knew that the Chiefs were going to be resting starters in Week 18, the KC/DEN point spread opened at just Denver -6.5 before ballooning to its current state, where the majority of books list the Broncos as 11-point home favorites.

Backups or otherwise, that line movement is far too big for me to stomach, especially with a Denver offense led by a rookie QB which rates just 21st in the NFL per PFF.

The Chiefs are still going to have capable players on both sides of the ball. Even though he hasn’t seen meaningful playing time in a couple seasons, Carson Wentz remains one of the better backups in the league, and he should still have decent options on the outside (some combination of Hollywood Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, and Xavier Worthy) plus veteran Samaje Perine in the backfield.

When the Chiefs “rest starters” to prep for the postseason, they can still field a team that might push for a playoff berth.

I’m also targeting the over (40.0) on Sunday afternoon. The NFL Week 18 weather forecasts predict the temperature in Denver to be below freezing but, other than that, conditions won’t be bad for the offenses. There is only a 20% chance of precipitation and basically no wind whatsoever. I don’t expect the aerial attacks to have much more difficulty this week than any other.

KC vs DEN Player Props

With the playing time for so many KC players up in the air, the NFL player props for Chiefs vs Broncos only list Denver players at the time being. Rookie QB Bo Nix has a passing yards O/U of 226.5 and is priced at -120 to throw multiple TD passes.

Jaleel McLaughlin has the highest rushing total at 36.5 while Courtland Sutton, who is one of many stars with Week 18 player incentives on the line, has the highest receiving yards total at 82.5. His line of 82.5 is not an accident; Sutton needs 83 yards to hit 1,065 for the season and secure a $500K bonus.

Best Chiefs vs Broncos Odds

The Chiefs vs Broncos point spread shows a half-point range. The smallest spread is Denver -10.5 at DraftKings and FanDuel, with both books offering the Broncos at -115 to cover. The biggest spread is KC +11.0 at all of BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, and ESPN Bet. All four books have the Chiefs at -110 to cover.

On the moneyline, FanDuel has the longest odds on a Chiefs straight-up victory at +480. DraftKings, meanwhile, has the best odds on a Denver win at -550.

The game total also has a half-point range across sportsbooks. Caesars and BetMGM are on the low end at 40.0 (-110 odds both ways) which make them the best option for over bettors. FanDuel and DraftKings are on the high end at 40.5, and both have a little extra juice on the under (O -105/U -115).

The NFL public betting percentages for this game include some intriguing splits as of 11 am ET. The Chiefs are getting 83% of moneyline handle but on just 37% of the moneyline wagers. The public is also hammering KC against the spread, putting 72% of ATS handle and 80% of ATS wagers on the Chiefs to cover.

In Week 18 of the NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the Denver Broncos in what is sure to be an exciting matchup. Both teams have had their ups and downs throughout the season, but they will be looking to finish strong as they head into the playoffs.

When it comes to predictions for this game, many experts believe that the Chiefs will come out on top. They have been one of the top teams in the league all season and have a high-powered offense led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Broncos, on the other hand, have struggled at times this season and have had trouble finding consistency on both sides of the ball.

In terms of player props, there are a few key players to keep an eye on in this game. For the Chiefs, wide receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce are always threats to have big games. Hill’s speed and agility make him a nightmare for opposing defenses, while Kelce is a reliable target for Mahomes in the passing game. On the defensive side of the ball, safety Tyrann Mathieu is a playmaker who can change the course of a game with his ability to create turnovers.

As for the Broncos, quarterback Drew Lock will need to have a strong performance if they hope to pull off an upset against the Chiefs. Lock has shown flashes of potential throughout the season, but he will need to be at the top of his game against Kansas City’s defense. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is another player to watch for the Broncos, as he has the ability to make big plays down the field.

When it comes to betting on this game, the Chiefs are currently favored to win by a significant margin. However, there are still plenty of opportunities to find value in player props and other bets. It’s always important to do your research and consider factors such as injuries, weather conditions, and recent performance when placing your bets.

Overall, the Week 18 matchup between the Chiefs and Broncos is sure to be a thrilling game with plenty of excitement and drama. Whether you’re a fan of either team or just looking to enjoy some great football, this game is one that you won’t want to miss.