KC Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos: NFL Week 8 Preview and Predictions
Not too far removed from their Week 6 matchup on Thursday Night Football, the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos are once again set to meet.
The last time these two clubs squared off against one another, Steve Spagnuolo's defense did a terrific job stifling Russell Wilson and company en route to a 19-8 win. On the other side of the ball, the Chiefs' offense moved the ball relatively well but struggled in the red zone. In the end, however, both sides did more than enough to secure a victory.
On Sunday, the Chiefs have an opportunity to extend a pair of streaks. First and foremost, a Week 8 win would give Andy Reid's group its seventh in a row since dropping the 2023 season opener against the Detroit Lions. Additionally, it would bring Kansas City's ongoing streak versus the Broncos to a staggering 17 games. The Chiefs, favored on the road, will look to keep the good times rolling.
How will today's game unfold? The Arrowhead Report crew makes their predictions.
Joshua Brisco: Even the snow and Patrick Mahomes’s sickness don’t make me completely worried about this game going off the rails, but a massive offensive explosion may be harder to come by. I’m leaning more towards a businesslike road trip win rather than another Chiefs-Broncos laugher, with the defense shining again.
Prediction: Chiefs 27, Broncos 10
Jordan Foote: On one hand, Patrick Mahomes is a noted fan of snow games and the Chiefs are riding high after a big win last week. Kansas City is also a much better team than Denver and should secure another win by 10 or more points. On the other hand, this is the third AFC West game in a row for the Chiefs, it's in hostile territory, it's against a team fighting to save its season and Mahomes is dealing with the flu. I'm still rolling with the Chiefs, although I'm expecting a late cover of the spread by the Broncos.
Prediction: Chiefs 27, Broncos 21
Mark Van Sickle: Time to run it back. Just a few weeks after a Chiefs “close” 19-8 home win over the Broncos, the two will battle it out in the winter wonderland in Denver. Snowy conditions are expected to continue through the game, and we all know Patrick Mahomes is a snow-game guy. With this defense playing at a high level, Travis Kelce continuing to defy his age, Isiah Pacheco being capable of running wild on the Denver D and Mahomes having a perfect 12-0 record against the Broncos throughout his career, I’m expecting another double-digit win for the Chiefs.
Prediction: Chiefs 27, Broncos 10
Zack Eisen: The Chiefs just played the Broncos less than 20 days ago, but now the game will be in Denver. Looking back on the season’s first matchup, the Chiefs offense moved the ball well between the 20s. Their significant issues came in the red zone due to getting ‘cute’ at questionable times. Maybe the Chiefs do that again but if they run their offense instead of Tommy Townsend's two-yard tush pushes, they should have no problem scoring. The defense had its way with the Broncos’ offense in the Thursday night matchup. The only touchdown they allowed came after they got off the field, but a questionable roughing the passer penalty extended the drive.
Prediction: Chiefs 28, Broncos 13
Conner Christopherson: A Patrick Mahomes game with the field draped in white? What a perfect way for the Chiefs to extend their winning streak over the meandering Broncos. The Chiefs showed us just two weeks ago that the Broncos were not up to snuff again this year with the Chiefs, who have a book of facts about the last time the Broncos beat them. Drue Tranquill is the name I am watching today to see how he continues to step in for Nick Bolton this year, and play admirably. With the Chiefs having their most balanced team of the Mahomes era thanks to players like Tranquill, I have a hard time seeing this as anything but a Chiefs win.
Prediction: Chiefs 29, Broncos 16
Marlow Ferguson Jr.: The Chiefs’ 16-game winning streak over the Broncos is certainly no secret. However, recent meetings have at least been competitive. Sunday’s game — with a forecast of plenty of snow — should ensure that this one is no different. The Pacheco-McKinnon-led backfield should be able to move the ball on the ground with ease against the NFL’s 32nd-ranked run defense but as their Week 6 duel showed, Denver can, too. Kansas City should control the game, as they often do, on the way to their seventh straight win. Points could prove difficult to come by, though.
Prediction: Chiefs 23, Broncos 14
