Chiefs vs. Broncos: Game and score predictions

After a bad week of predictions in Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders, we — like the team — managed to right the ship in the Week 6 game against the Buffalo Bills. All of the Arrowhead Pride contributors picked the Kansas City Chiefs to win — and we were in the ballpark of the final score. Our aggregate pick was 34.6-28.3, which was a 6.4-point spread; we just thought both teams would score more. Our readers, however, were a bit less confident in a win. 83% picked the Chiefs — but win or lose, 78% thought the game would be close.

Let’s see how our staff (and our readers) think the Week 7 road game against the Denver Broncos will play out.

Tom Childs (@tomchilds56)

Did someone say this is going to be a snow game?

If it is, then this thing won't even be close. But if it's not, then I actually expect a frisky performance from the Broncos. Will it be enough to beat Mahomes? Probably not.

Regardless of how the weather turns out, I can't see the Chiefs letting another divisional game slip away. Chiefs 27, Broncos 13

John Dixon (@Arrowheadphones)

As Patrick Mahomes noted on Wednesday, this could be a snow game at Mile High. When these two teams met at Arrowhead in the snow last season, the Chiefs beat the Broncos 23-3. I don’t blame Broncos fans for thinking they turned a corner by defeating the New England Patriots in Foxborough 18-12 on Sunday — but I’m not a Broncos fan, so a victory based on six field goals doesn’t impress me all that much. I’d look for both teams to try and keep the ball on the ground — but I still think the quarterbacks will make a few plays. Chiefs 27, Broncos 13

Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp)

“I can spin it in anything!”

That’s what Patrick Mahomes yelled during a dominant performance in the snow last season against the Broncos in Arrowhead stadium. This time, the snow game will be in Denver — and the Broncos have a bigger motivation to win. They’re one victory away from a 3-3 record, and a win over the Chiefs would put them within one loss of the division lead. Denver’s defense showed up to play last week, and Lock showed enough flashes to win, while also throwing two ugly interceptions. The Chiefs defense will have a similar impact on the young quarterback, and the KC offense will take advantage of those mistakes. The run game will have another big day, and Bell will have a small role in that. Chiefs 31, Broncos 17

Matt Lane (@ChiefinCarolina)

Similar to my thought entering the Chargers game earlier this year (which turned out so well), I just don’t see much of a chance for the Broncos to keep this close. On paper, the Chiefs win on every level, and I expect that to play out. When the Chiefs have the ball, they should look to challenge a secondary that has had ups and downs and challenge an injury-riddled defensive line to get pressure without blitzing. When the Broncos have the ball, the key will be slowing down the run game for the third week in a row and allowing the defensive line to generate pressure on an offensive line that has been extremely inconsistent. The Chiefs take this one pretty easily. Chiefs 34, Broncos 17

Matt Stagner (@stagdsp)

Last week, the Chiefs offense reinvented itself in the image of Martyball. OK, not quite Martyball, but they ran the ball relentlessly and successfully behind an offensive line that was dominating the line of scrimmage. While this probably won’t be the new normal, it could be a useful strategy this week. Expect Clyde Edwards-Helaire to have another big game, even if Le’Veon Bell sprinkles in here and there. Patrick Mahomes will still hit some shots downfield to Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, and the Chiefs will roll. Chiefs 38, Broncos 17

Craig Stout (@barleyhop)

On paper, this Chiefs team should run over this Broncos squad. The Chiefs have the better defense, offense, coaching and quarterback. They also have a recent history of running these Broncos out of the building in at least one matchup each year. Despite all of that, I think this will be a closer-than-expected affair between these two teams. The Broncos will dial up vertical shots and stretch runs to beat the Chiefs defense, and Vic Fangio will try to replicate what other teams have done to slow down the offense. While I think the Chiefs come out on top in this divisional matchup, I’m predicting a close win this week. Chiefs 28, Broncos 24

Kent Swanson (@kent_swanson)

I expect the Broncos to borrow from previous teams and invite the Chiefs to take the ball out of the hands of the best player in the world by presenting the offense with light boxes to run into. Teams are letting the Chiefs have short passes and runs in between the 20s with the hopes of slowing them down in the red zone. I expect four of those drives to convert for touchdowns. The defense plays great and the Chiefs win by multiple scores. Chiefs 28, Broncos 13

Pete Sweeney (@pgsween)

The talk in Kansas City this week has largely been an arrival of running back Le’Veon Bell — and I have to imagine there will be a role for him in the offense against the Denver Broncos. His addition may be necessary against a Denver team who has quietly put together a solid year defensively. The Broncos expect to add cornerback AJ Bouye back on defense and tight end Noah Fant and wide receiver KJ Hamler back on offense as they attempt to end the Chiefs’ nine-game winning streak against them. Drew Lock may eventually prove to be a worthy adversary for Patrick Mahomes sometime in the future, but I don’t think he is there yet. I like Mahomes here — he has played the Broncos well and just so happens to be a snow-game guy. Chiefs 31, Broncos 21

Ties in the standings are broken with prediction points error — how much each prediction misses the actual point spread and the number of points scored by each team.

Among the staff, Ron Kopp had the best Chiefs-Bills prediction. His 31-21 pick had 10 points of error, giving him his first win of the season. Craig Stout went with 34-20, which put him in second place with 14 points of error. Ron’s win was enough to move him up a notch in the standings — but everyone else’s predictions were bunched together enough that there were no other changes in the standings.