Netflix cannot be pleased.
Instead of a late-season showdown between two AFC West powers vying for supremacy in the conference, the Christmas Day-scheduled matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos is looking every bit as enticing as that annual fruitcake sent out by the company as a holiday gift. So much for that high-octane holiday viewing experience.
It's quite possible that Netflix will still enjoy the spoils of broadcasting anything related to the NFL to a well-rested audience ready to lay down after getting their fill of holiday cookies. Primetime ratings are always high. But if our writers' predictions are any indication of excitement for the Chiefs-Broncos in Week 17—well, let's just say that you might just want to eat a few more to immerse yourself into that sugar coma.
The Chiefs are 6-9 with nothing to play for. Patrick Mahomes is sidelined, as is his backup Gardner Minshew. The players who aren't injured were just steamrolled by the Tennessee Titans of all teams. Meanwhile the Broncos are in pole position for the No. 1 seed in the conference. As we said, Netflix can't be pleased.
This Chiefs-Broncos game is a lump of coal in Netflix's stocking. Our depressing writers' predictions are here, all the same.
Christian Ainsworth
It's not like the Broncos have been incredibly dominant, but this Chiefs team's winning mentality has been drained. Also, despite what Andy Reid will tell you, a loss here is good for the franchise overall. Time for the Chiefs to take the L, move on, and prepare to pick in the top 10 of the 2026 NFL draft. Broncos 27, Chiefs 17
Matt Conner
Every coach and player spoke with so much swagger about finishing strong only to deflate upon contact against the Titans. These Chiefs are hot air and nothing more. Broncos 30, Chiefs 6
Lyle Graversen
The Chiefs are bad and worse, they didn't even play young players to give them a shot to prove themselves. If they got smacked down by the lowly Titans, the Broncos should have their way with KC in this one. Broncos 30, Chiefs 13
Bransen Gibson
What's worse than watching a bad Chiefs team lose in agonising fashion on Thanksgiving? Watching an even worse Chiefs team get smoked by a division rival on Christmas Day. What a treat. I'm always an optimist, but even with a third-string quarterback in and a slew of injuries across the board, it's practically impossible to see this ending well for Kansas City. Broncos 38, Chiefs 3
Braden Holocek
A top two or three defense in the league against an offense with little to no QB experience? Amazon may be better off broadcasting fans playing football in the parking lot at a tailgate. It would be just as entertaining, if not more. Broncos sweep the Chiefs with probably a lower viewership than expected. Broncos 29, Chiefs 9
Scott Loring
The Chiefs activate Matt Nagy as the backup quarterback to Chris Oladokun and he enters the game in the middle of the first quarter. Nagy engineers zero scoring drives, but Bo Nix and the Broncos stumble their way to a close game. Down by 6 in the 4th quarter, new offensive coordinator Patrick Mahomes asks Nagy, “Do we have time to run Wasp?” Nagy replies, “Have you seen my offensive line? I don’t have time to run Duo.” Nagy mistakenly hands off to Broncos linebacker Karl Mecklenburg (also activated for the game), who rumbles 67 yards for the game-sealing score. Broncos 13, Chiefs 0
Shawn O'Brate
While I want to feel sad for the Chiefs and sorry for the players who are actually trying on the field, I can’t help but hope that KC gets swept by the Broncos for the first time since 2015. With QB3 at the helm, half the team on IR or inactive to preserve their strength or trade bait, it seems unlikely that KC will look anything but mediocre. Maybe a touchdown if they’re lucky, maybe two if Oladokun can prove he’s been paying attention all these years in practice. No matter what, the Chiefs are gonna move up on the draft board, and for the first time in a decade, that is probably for the best. Broncos 27, Chiefs 10
Charles Robinson
One of my favorite Christmas movies is the original Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I've been thinking about it a lot lately, because my son loves it now as well, and even more with the way the last 4 weeks have gone for the Chiefs. We are living in a world where there was an alternate ending to The Grinch. One where, instead of his heart growing 3 sizes and him turning into a savior of Christmas for the Whos in Whoville, he decides to remain on his villain arc and just steal all of the good football and football-related joy from Chiefs Kingdom. "Patrick's ACL is a bit torn on one side, so I'm taking it to my Dallas workshop, my dear. I'll fix it up there, and I'll bring it back here." Let's just hope that Grinch-repaired ACL is back in time to salvage something for 2026. Broncos 24, Chiefs 3
Lucas Strozinsky
If you want to enjoy your Christmas night, then I'd suggest watching Home Alone, Elf, or any other holiday classic—not football. Broncos 33, Chiefs 7