The Kansas City Chiefs are set to face off against the Denver Broncos in Week 18 with a chance to advance their regular season record to 16-1.
Though Kansas City has already locked up the No. 1 seed for the AFC playoffs, the Broncos will fight hard to punch their ticket to the postseason with a win over the defending Super Bowl champions in front of a home crowd at Mile High Stadium.
Veteran quarterback Carson Wentz is expected to be under center for the Chiefs in their regular-season finale as many of Kansas City’s starters deservedly get some rest heading into the team’s first-round playoff bye.
This week, Chiefs Wire sat down with Broncos Wire legend Brandon Walker to gain key insights into Denver’s 2024 campaign ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated AFC West showdown in Week 18.
Take a look at the full interview below:
Nov 10, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah (97) at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
BW: I think one of the defining games for Nix this season came against the Cleveland Browns. Nix threw a 93-yard touchdown and really showed the growth he’s made in Sean Payton’s offense this season.
Nov 10, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs safety Nazeeh Johnson (13) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
BW: In all honesty, a win probably doesn’t change much in terms of roster building in 2025 and beyond. Denver needs a playmaking tight end, more receivers and take a page out of Kansas City’s book and draft speed. The Broncos will prioritize signing and resigning homegrown talent like Nik Bonitto to be here for years to come.
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 05: Tamba Hali #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs sacks quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos during the game on December 5, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
BW: If Denver does lose this game, what it tells me is that the team is not there… yet. This is a young team rife with talent and they’re playing competitively against some of the best teams the NFL has. Denver’s defense is absolutely playoff quality (barring these last few games) and the Broncos offense needs more weapons. We’ll be there in the mix next year!
Jan 1, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
BW: Sean Payton’s “hot seat” is ice cold. In the span of two years, Payton took a team from 5-12 under Nathaniel Hackett to 7-10 to (hopefully!) 10-7. And he did it with the biggest salary cap hit in NFL history, releasing a defensive cornerstone in Justin Simmons prior to this season (and the defense didn’t skip a beat!), while leading a very young team to the brink of a playoff berth, all with a rookie quarterback! If that doesn’t tell you how remarkable this season has been, I don’t know what will.
Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway is brought down by Kansas City Chiefs Joe Phillips (L), Derrick Thomas (C) and John Browning in the second quarter November 16, in Kansas City. Elway was sacked at the line of scrimage on the play. JAT/Photo By Jeff A.
SPORT NFL
BW: Denver has more motivation than ever going into this game. The crowd is going to be fired up, and the Broncos will be wearing their throwback jerseys for the second time this year. I think this will be a close game, but the Broncos pull out a much-needed victory, 28-24.
