Here is who national experts are predicting will win KC Chiefs at Denver Broncos game
One storyline leading into Sunday’s Chiefs-Broncos game is the short span of time since the teams last played.
It was just 18 days ago the Chiefs won 19-8 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on “Thursday Night Football.”
Broncos tackle Mike McGlinchey believes having more time to prep for the Chiefs could help in the rematch.
“It was a short week, and I don’t know if anybody was at their full (game plan) on a Thursday night,” McGlinchey told the Broncos website. “Obviously (we) have more time to absorb the game plan. … I think it will be a great battle.
“I really don’t think much of what happened Thursday night’s going to have an effect on this weekend. It’s going to be a new battle. You’ve got to win your matchups, and that’s all it comes down to.”
Here is who 64 national experts are predicting will win the game, which kicks off at 3:25 p.m. and airs on CBS (KCTV, Ch. 5) in Kansas City.
The five writers at NFL.com picked the Chiefs to win: Ali Bhanpuri (28-20 final score), Tom Blair (25-22), Brooke Cersosimo (28-17), Dan Parr (24-18) and Gennaro Filice (23-17). Cersosimo wrote in part: “Ultimately, it comes down to Kansas City holding the advantage in almost every aspect: The Chiefs boast the league’s No. 2 overall offense and a defense that has allowed just 15 points per game in 2023, second-fewest in the NFL.”
A 30-14 Chiefs victory is the prediction from the Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer. This is from his story: “The Chiefs just saw the Broncos two weeks ago and nothing much will change in the rematch, except for the fact Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the offense will execute better with fewer mistakes.”
Picking the Chiefs are the eight USA Today writers: Jarrett Bell (34-24 final score), Chris Bumbaca (28-20), Nate Davis (31-20), Safid Deen (30-20), Tyler Dragon (28-14), Victoria Hernandez (24-20), Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (31-16) and Lorenzo Reyes (33-15). This is what Deen wrote: “Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Chiefs are clicking on all cylinders following their win over the Chargers last week. They’ll be challenged early, but we know how this one will end for Sean Payton, Russell Wilson and the Broncos in Denver.”
A 28-16 Chiefs win is the prediction from the Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi. Here is what he wrote: “The Broncos (2-5) are improving. They battled Kansas City on the road two weeks ago and beat the Packers. Now, they have to face the Chiefs (6-1) again. The defending Super Bowl champs have hit their stride. Patrick Mahomes and the offense are clicking and the defense is ranked seventh.”
A 23-16 Chiefs victory is the prediction from the Los Angeles Times’ Sam Farmer. This is a snippet from his story: “The Broncos have a little confidence coming off their win over Green Bay, but the Chiefs are the Chiefs.”
All eight writers at CBS Sports think the Chiefs will win: Pete Prisco, Jared Dubin, Dave Richard, Ryan Wilson, John Breech, Tyler Sullivan, Jamey Eisenberg and Will Brinson. Prisco predicts a 30-17 final score. He wrote: “These two met a few weeks ago in Kansas City and the Chiefs won that game, but it wasn’t easy. The Denver defense played well. That unit has made strides. Even so, the Chiefs offense got it cranked up last week.”
The 11 writers at the Athletic picked the Chiefs: Tashan Reed, Michael-Shawn Dugar, Ben Standig, Zack Rosenblatt, Austin Mock, Zac Jackson, Josh Kendall, Zak Keefer, Chad Graff, Larry Holder and Mark Kaboly. This is part of what Nando Di Fino and Adam Gretz wrote: “Since Week 3, Isiah Pacheco has the eighth-most rushing yards in the NFL (326). Denver leads the league with 1,171 rushing yards allowed.”
All nine experts at ESPN see the Chiefs winning: Stephania Bell. Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Dan Graziano, Kimberly Martin, Moses Moody, Jason Reid, Lindsey Thiry and Seth Wickersham.
The seven experts at Sports Illustrated see the Chiefs winning: Albert Breer, Mitch Goldich, Gilberto Manzano, Conor Orr, Matt Verderame, Claire Kuwana and John Pluym.
A Chiefs victory is the prediction from 11 SB Nation writers: JP Acosta, James Dator, Debbie Emery, Jeanna Kelly, Brandon Lee Gowton, Jared Mueller, Ricky O’Donnell, RJ Ochoa, Michael Peterson, Mark Schofield and Matt Warren.
The Chiefs will win, say Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio (28-14 final score) and Chris Simms (27-17).
This story was originally published October 29, 2023 at 7:46 AM.
