NFL picks and predictions, Week 8: Chiefs near unanimous favorites over Broncos

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos is sacked by Dee Ford #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos is sacked by Dee Ford #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The latest round of NFL picks and predictions are in and the Broncos can only a find a rare bit of support to believe in their cause against K.C.

Week after week of leaving opposing defenses and coaches baffled has done wonders for the Kansas City Chiefs’ stock in the minds of analysts across the NFL. That tinge of “but when are they gonna blow it?” is fading, as a collision course with the Los Angeles Rams in Atlanta for Super Bowl 53 is a growing narrative.

One week after losing on the road against the New England Patriots in a game that was more or less decided by who had the ball last, the Chiefs returned home to dismantle the Cincinnati Bengals. Their absurd offensive output was mostly expected, but K.C.’s defense finally waking up and playing well for 60 minutes was what could be looked back upon as a turning point in the season.

That is, of course, if the defense can keep it up.

More from Arrowhead Addict

This week the Chiefs take on the Denver Broncos for the second time. Their last matchup was Patrick Mahomes’ left-handed Monday Night Football comeback (which resulted in some fine Arrowhead Addict merch). Now Denver comes into Arrowhead looking to, at the very least, make Mahomes beat them right-handed.

As for the experts, much like last week, it’s near universal Chiefs love.

ESPN

Almost all Chiefs for the second straight week. Seth Wickersham is the lone voice picking the Broncos. It should be noted that of all the experts on ESPN’s panel, Seth has the worst record. So for all we know this is one of those strategic pick-against-the-consensus picks to crawl out of last place. Or maybe he just honestly believes the Broncos will win. Either way, it’s a bold strategy.

CBS

Legitimately all Chiefs for the second straight week.

FiveThirtyEight

FiveThirtyEight’s model loves the Chiefs as well this week, giving them an 82% win probability. K.C.’s probability to win the Super Bowl has also jumped to 18%, still the best in the league and the highest it’s been all year.

This Chiefs team is undeniably exciting, and they should win fairly comfortably this week. Denver can be a nuisance, but this time around the game is in Arrowhead and the Chiefs’ offense is looking even stronger now if that’s even possible. Couple that with a defense that’s coming off what must have been a huge confidence boost against Cincinnati, and everything points to the Chiefs continuing to roll.

It’s a good time to be a Chiefs fan. National attention has perhaps never been stronger, and the team is easily the most exiting in the league. After years of being the team that wins but isn’t any fun, the Chiefs are finally changing the latter.

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