The Kansas City Chiefs are back playing football on Thursday, this time hosting the Denver Broncos. Chiefs fans once looked forward to meaningful and competitive matchups against their AFC West foe. Now, for nearly a decade, that has not been the case against Denver.
Denver's last win against the Chiefs came in Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 17, 2015. The entire NFL landscape has changed since then—and the world for that matter. The streak is nice and all, but some miss a two-sided Chiefs-Broncos rivalry.
It has been awhile since the Broncos left Kansas City as the winning team.
Our writers are predicting the game following Kansas City's Week 5 win over the Minnesota Vikings. How will the Chiefs perform in their eyes? First, let's look at everyone's record heading into Week 6.
Writer | 2023 Record |
|---|---|
Tyler Brown | 4-1 |
Max Cashio | 1-0 |
Ken Coltharp | 2-0 |
Matt Conner | 3-2 |
Josh Fann | 4-0 |
Greg Florkowski | 4-1 |
Lyle Graversen | 3-1 |
Anthony Hatton | 3-1 |
Jacob Milham | 4-1 |
Greg Morse | 4-0 |
Charles Robinson | 4-1 |
Stacy Smith | 4-1 |
Lucas Strozinsky | 4-1 |
Grant Tuttle | 3-1 |
Matt Conner
The Broncos will hope a list of injured Chiefs with a short week can bridge some of the talent gap. It might be closer than it should be but K.C. should earn their 5th win in a row.
Chiefs 32, Broncos 24
Greg Florkowski
Thursday feels like a trap game with the Chiefs looking ahead to Week 7 against the LA Chargers. That being said the Broncos' defense is allowing historic numbers to opposing offenses so look for K.C.'s offense to out up big numbers. The Chiefs win a close one against a lesser opponent.
Chiefs 35, Broncos 28
Anthony Hatton
Rivalry games are usually close and hard fought on both sides. I’m betting on this AFC West battle being closer than most would foresee. As much as I respect the Broncos, there are too many question marks heading into Kansas City. The Chiefs will likely have the football at the end of the game holding onto a one possession lead.
Chiefs 28, Broncos 20
Jacob Milham
They don't say "Any given Thursday" for a reason. The Chiefs should win this one handily and I imagine Pacheco fantasy owners will enjoy his production this game as Kansas City chews the clock all second half. The Broncos allow the most points per game this season by a wide margin. A late Denver touchdown will make this one seem closer than it actually was.
Chiefs 36, Denver 20
Greg Morse
I actually think Denver keeps this game close. Until the third quarter. And then Mahomes is going to rip their heart out. The Chiefs will have so much fun they’ll want to do it again in two weeks at Mile High.
Chiefs 38, Broncos 21
Charles Robinson
Nothing like a dose of Broncos to cure the Chiefs' offensive woes. If Mahomes and the Chiefs are going to get the offense officially back on track before the bye, this is their first chance to do so against a Broncos defense that is allowing over 36 points a game in 2023. Alas, this will probably be closer than we want it to be.
Chiefs 27, Broncos 23
Stacy Smith
Hated rival the Denver Broncos are in KC for a nationally-televised affair on Thursday night. The woeful Broncos are 1-4 and just got embarrassed by the New York Jets and their former head coach Nathaniel Hackett. The Chiefs are banged up again this week but should have plenty of firepower against the Broncos' 32nd-ranked defense. Isiah Pacheco has another 100-yard day, Mahomes tosses 4 touchdowns and the Chiefs win this game by two scores.
Chiefs 35, Broncos 24
Lucas Strozinsky
Anything can happen on Thursday Night Football, but the Chiefs losing is not one of them. It may not be pretty, but Kansas City will win. The Denver defense is terrible and their offense seems to disappear in the middle of games. Travis Kelce's injury is concerning but not enough to warrant a defeat.
Chiefs 31, Broncos 17
Grant Tuttle
The Chiefs have made a delightful mockery of the Broncos since Obama was POTUS. I hope that they beat them until I get over losing to Peyton Manning and the pick plays season-era Broncos. Mahomes goes for 400 yards and 4 touchdowns in this one.
Chiefs 36, Broncos 17