NFL predictions, Week 17: KC Chiefs expected to beat Broncos

NFL experts have made their picks for various media outlets for the NFL’s slate of action in Week 17 and pretty much everyone is backing the Chiefs.

Look, no one is saying this wasn’t a foreseeable development. The fact that nearly every NFL expert is going with the Kansas City Chiefs over the Denver Broncos in Week 17 shouldn’t be a surprise whatsoever for anyone. Even the Broncos likely believe they’re going to leave with a loss, despite the fact that no one would admit it. What else can a player or fan think when it’s been seven years?

The last time the Broncos beat the Chiefs was in 2015. Those were the days before the Broncos quarterback carousel wasn’t a laughingstock and before Nathaniel Hackett was anything more than a first-year quarterbacks coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s going to take more than a single win for Denver to make believers out of anyone in this rivalry but at this point, even that single victory seems impossible to achieve.

The one thing the Broncos going for them is their spunky side that was on display back in Week 14. Denver shocked the Chiefs in that game with a near-comeback at home against K.C. just a few weeks ago. The Chiefs were up 27 in that one and nearly let their rivals back in that game completely. However, most experts contend that second-half effort is still not enough to back them publicly in this one.

Sayre Bedinger of NFL Spin Zone asks a pertinent question: “Coming off the heels of a blowout 51-14 loss against the Los Angeles Rams, how can you put together NFL picks for this week and take the Broncos on the road against Mahomes?” We agree. Bedinger has the Chiefs to win but he does think Denver keeps it close like last time.

Bill Benderds of The Sporting News says Mahomes is 10-0 versus Mahomes and the Chiefs didn’t lose for a few years before he ever started, so there’s no expectation for Denver to win here. In fact, he goes with the spread and picks Kansas City by 17.

Some are wondering how Denver might respond after firing Nathaniel Hackett as head coach, but CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco says, “I don’t think they get the fired-coach boos here” while predicting a 23-point win.

A four-person panel over at Athlon Sports agrees and backed up the Chiefs. Meanwhile, B.J. Rudell of Pro Football Network predicted a “comfortable” win for Kansas City and isn’t afraid of the spread here either. And finally at the Big Lead, they said, “The beatings will continue until morale improves — if it ever does.”

If Denver somehow pulls this one out or even makes it close, mostly everyone will be eating crow in some form. That said, there’s a reason the Broncos are in the divisional basement.