Chiefs vs. Broncos predictions: Writers expect Kansas City to dominate Week 13

Coming off a solid win against the Buccaneers, our writers predict the Chiefs will win big against the Broncos.

Last week, the Kansas City Chiefs travelled to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers and escaped with a narrow victory. This was the team’s first win against the Buccaneers since 1993, when the Chiefs’ quarterback was Joe Montana.

The Chiefs came out firing on all cylinders against the Buccaneers last week, but they slowed down and ended up only winning by three. The Chiefs scored 17 points in the first quarter behind a spectacular performance by wide receiver Tyreek Hill. On 7 catches, Hill gained 203 yards and 2 touchdowns. All signs pointed to a Chiefs blowout, but they cooled off and the Buccaneers fought back.

The Buccaneers scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to cut the Chiefs’ lead to 27-24, but the Chiefs were able to outlast them behind quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes finished the day with 37/49 completions for 462 yards and 3 touchdowns and the Chiefs won 27-24. The Chiefs are now just two games away from clinching the AFC West and a spot in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos had a terrible week as they played against the New Orleans Saints without a quarterback. This was because backup quarterback Jeff Driskel tested positive for COVID-19 and the team’s other quarterbacks, Drew Lock, Brett Rypien, and Blake Bortles, were all deemed out due to exposure without wearing masks.

The Broncos elevated practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton, who had briefly played quarterback in college, and planned to roll with a combination of Hinton and the wildcat against the Saints. This went about as well as you would think, as Hinton ended the day 1/9 for 13 yards and 2 interceptions. The Broncos could not muster anything offensively all game, and fell to the Saints 31-3.

The Broncos will have quarterback Drew Lock available against the Chiefs this week, which will give them a better shot than they had last week.

Both teams have injuries to note. For the Chiefs, linebacker Dorian O’Daniel is out with an ankle injury after not practicing all week. Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has also not practiced all week due to a non-COVD-19 related illness, and is listed as questionable. For the Broncos, safety Trey Marshall is out and running back Phillip Lindsay, wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, and linebacker Malik Reed are all listed as questionable.

Regardless of injuries and Lock’s return, our writers predict the Chiefs to win in a big way. Here are our full writer predictions:

Drew Brooks: Chiefs 35, Broncos 13

Patrick Mahomes has not lost a game against the Broncos, and I don’t expect him to lose this one. It’s a division game, which is always tougher than a normal game, but this year the Broncos are that bad and the Chiefs are that good that I don’t think this will be a problem. This should be an easy game for the Chiefs to coast to yet another win against the Broncos.

Matt Conner: Chiefs 31, Broncos 9

The Chiefs have been wiping the floor with the Broncos ever since Vic Fangio became the head coach with an average margin of victory of over 20 points per game. No reason to believe this matchup is any different.

Bransen Gibson: Chiefs 41, Broncos 14

The Chiefs have won their last 10 games against the Broncos, a streak that will almost certainly continue this weekend. Kansas City dominated Denver when the two teams met back in Week 7, and there is nothing to suggest the same thing won’t happen again this time around. The Chiefs are flying and should be far too good for the Broncos, this one could get ugly.

Sterling Holmes: Chiefs 31, Broncos 13

At least the Broncos should actually have a QB this game. The Chiefs are starting to pick up steam on offense, and some of the less-heralded players—Anthony Hitchens, L’Jarius Sneed, and Bashaud Breeland—are starting to make an impact on defense. I am hoping we start seeing more pressure from Chris Jones and Frank Clark this game to alleviate some of the concern. Mahomes, Hill, and Kelce are too much for the best defenses in the NFL let alone the Broncos.

Scott Loring: Chiefs 33, Broncos 17

If this weren’t a division game, this would have every component of a trap game. Coming off a big win on the road against a playoff contender, lowly opponent coming into town, primetime game, but hold the phone. It’s Broncos week. The Chiefs don’t look past the Broncos, and as much as we’d like this rivalry to have some semblance of competition, it’s just not there. Le’Veon Bell has his biggest game as a Chief.

Byron Smith: Chiefs 30, Broncos 0

A win to take the division in prime time at home, the Chiefs are gonna show up in a major way. This would be a great time for that defense from late last season to show up.

Farzin Vousoughian: Chiefs 35, Broncos 10

Kansas City’s defense still has work to do. But they won’t have much to worry about on Sunday night. The offense is continuing to dominate and show more ways they can win.

Zachary White: Chiefs 41, Broncos 21

The Chiefs didn’t play particularly well on offense the first time they played Denver earlier this year. I look for Kansas City to continue its hot streak against their division rival. I believe Chris Jones will have a field day and record at least two sacks. I wouldn’t be shocked if K.C. puts up another 40 spot against Denver this time either.