Chiefs-Broncos prediction: Will Kansas City make it 13 straight vs. rivals in Denver?
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is on the kind of streak that in past years became so regular it was hardly worth pointing out.
But after some midseason instability, he’s regained form. In four straight games, he has produced a quarterback rating of 105 or better, totaling 10 touchdowns and only one interception in that time.
His last hiccup? That came against the team he faces this week.
The Chiefs travel to play the Broncos in the regular-season finale on Saturday with plenty at stake in their AFC playoff positioning. Beyond the wins and losses, they’d like to take some momentum into the postseason, as well, and an efficient offensive outing against a team they struggled against would do the trick.
When these two teams met on Dec. 5, Mahomes completed only 51.7% of his passes (second worst of his career) and managed 184 yards and no touchdowns against Vic Fangio’s defense.
“It’ll be a great challenge for us. I think what (Fangio) does so well is they have a great understanding of what you do as an offense,” Mahomes said.
It bears out in the numbers. While Mahomes is a perfect 8-0 against the Broncos, he’s thrown only 10 touchdowns in those eight games.
Don’t expect a shootout Saturday, in other words — but we do expect the Chiefs to win and put the pressure on the Titans to hold serve Sunday if they want to preserve the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
Kickoff: 3:25 p.m. Central
TV/radio: ESPN and ABC (Ch. 9)/WDAF (106.5 FM)
Line: Chiefs by 10
Sam McDowell’s prediction: Chiefs 27-13
This story was originally published January 7, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Chiefs-Broncos prediction: Will Kansas City make it 13 straight vs. rivals in Denver?."