Here is who national experts predict will win KC Chiefs at Denver Broncos game
Assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Dave Toub took special note of the players’ attitude this week at Chiefs practice.
The Chiefs, 5-4, returned from their bye week to prepare for the AFC West-leading Broncos, 8-2, and the players know Sunday’s game in Denver is a big one.
“Our guys are ready. They’ll be ready for this game for sure,” Toub said Thursday. “You can feel it already in practice. Coming off a bye, they know the urgency. We’ve been there before. We have enough veterans. We know where we’re at. We know where we stand. It’s an important game on the road.”
Kickoff for Sunday’s game is at 3:25 p.m., and the game will air on KCTV (Ch. 5) in Kansas City. Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will be in the broadcast booth at Empower Field at Mile High.
Here is how 74 national experts see the game unfolding.
A 23-21 Chiefs win is the prediction from the Sporting News’ Bill Bender. Here is an excerpt from his story: “Can the Broncos really take that much of a lead in the AFC West against the Chiefs? Denver is 5-0 (straight-up) at home, but the Broncos also are 2-3 ATS (against the spread). This is the first time they’ve been a home underdog this season.”
A 27-21 Chiefs victory is the call from the Arizona Republic’s Jeremy Cluff. He wrote: ”The Broncos have won seven straight and are 5-0 at home this season. But Andy Reid is 22-4 ... after bye weeks in his career as a head coach.”
A 24-18 Chiefs win is the call from Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press. This is from his story: “Patrick Mahomes has Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown to go along with Travis Kelce. Denver’s dominant defense presents a tough challenge. The Broncos have struggled on offense behind Bo Nix’s inconsistency. The Chiefs are coming off a bye.”
It’s an even split among the four Denver Post writers. Going with the Chiefs are Parker Gabriel (23-21 final score) and Luca Evans (24-20). The Broncos are the pick for Troy Renck (19-17) and Sean Keeler (23-22). Keeler wrote: “If Andy Reid’s 22-4 career record after a bye doesn’t scare you, this number might: The Chiefs are 14-1 in division road tilts since 2016 from Nov. 1 to the end of the regular season. That one loss? The ‘KC JV Game’ here in Week 18 of last year. When they try, they fly. But once you get that 2015 vibe, it’s hard to let that go. With Empower rocking and the defense rolling, Mile High Magic somehow finds a way.”
A 24-20 Chiefs win is the prediction from the Miami Herald’s Greg Cote. This is a passage from his story: “Denver is on a 10-0 run at home but likely missing CB Patrick Surtain again and now maybe RB J.K. Dobbins, too. Broncos’ seven-game win streak is propped up by six losing-record opponents and five one-score results. Broncos are good, not great, carried by defense. But Chiefs defense is just as good, Patrick Mahomes is better than Bo Nix.”
Taking the Chiefs are six of eight CBS Sports writers: Pete Prisco, Jared Dubin, John Breech, Ryan Wilson, Tyler Sullivan and Jamey Eisenberg. Picking the Broncos are Cody Benjamin and Dave Richard. Prisco sees a 23-17 final. He wrote: “The Chiefs are coming off a bye and Andy Reid’s teams are great off the bye. The Broncos are rested having played last Thursday. Their offense is an issue right now with Bo Nix struggling. Look for the Chiefs defense to limit him and Patrick Mahomes will do enough to win it.”
Picking the Chiefs are the five writers at NFL.com: Ali Bhanpuri (23-20 final score), Brooke Cersosimo (24-22). Dan Parr (23-18), Gennaro Filice (26-19) and Tom Blair (23-20). Here is part of what Blair wrote: “I almost tricked myself into going with the Broncos and their superpowered defense at home. Could Denver’s pass rush keep Patrick Mahomes from getting back into the Master of the Universe groove that helped him power a three-game win streak for K.C.? Sure, maybe. Can Bo Nix give Andy Reid the fifth ever post-bye week loss of his decades-long head-coaching career? That’s a tougher question to answer — unless you need to splash some cold water on any idle thoughts of a Broncos upset, in which case it’s exactly where you want your brain to lead you.”
A Chiefs victory is the prediction from the Pro Football Talk writers. Mike Florio has KC winning 24-17, while Chris Simms sees a 23-20 final.
The Chiefs are the choice for four of the six USA Today writers: Nick Brinkerhoff (23-20 final score), Chris Bumbaca (25-19), Nate Davis (23-20) and Tyler Dragon (26-21). Taking the Broncos are Jarrett Bell (27-23) and Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (24-21).
The Chiefs are the pick for 10 of the 11 ESPN experts: Stephania Bell, Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Jeremy Fowler, Dan Graziano, Moses Moody, Lindsey Thiry, Pamela Maldonado, Jason Reid and Seth Wickersham. Going with the Broncos is Kalyn Kahler.
Taking the Chiefs are six of the seven Sports Illustrated writers: Albert Breer, Clare Brennan, Mitch Goldich, Gilberto Manzano, John Pluym and Matt Verderame. Picking Denver is Conor Orr.
Picking the Chiefs are four of seven Bleacher Report writers: Ian Hanford, Kris Knox, Moe Moton and Wes O’Donnell. Taking the Broncos are Brad Gagnon, Gary Davenport and Brent Sobleski.
Nine of 10 NFL Network analysts see the Chiefs prevailing:
Picking the Chiefs are six of the 10 Dallas Morning-News experts: Joey Hayden, Damon Marx, Craig Miller, Kevin Sherrington, Newy Scruggs and Calvin Watkins. Picking Denver: Tim Cowlishaw, Joseph Hoyt, Dana Larson and Abraham Nudelstejer.
This story was originally published November 16, 2025 at 7:01 AM.
