The Denver Broncos travel to Kansas City for a Christmas Day showdown against the Chiefs on December 25. Denver (12-2) enters as heavy favorites after clinching their first playoff berth since 2015 and riding a nine-game winning streak, while Kansas City (6-8) has been officially eliminated from playoff contention following a devastating season that included both Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew suffering torn ACLs in consecutive weeks.
With third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun making his first career start, the Broncos are positioned as massive favorites in what was originally scheduled to be a potential division-deciding matchup.
The Broncos enter Week 17 as huge favorites at FanDuel, with Denver priced at -1000 on the moneyline and Kansas City returning +660. The spread sits at Broncos -13.5 (-110), with the total at 37.5 points.
Here are my best bets for Broncos vs Chiefs.
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Broncos vs Chiefs Odds
Matchup Page: Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs, Dec. 25, 8:15 pm ET
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | -13.5 (-110) | -1000 | OVER 37.5 (-110) |
| Kansas City Chiefs | +13.5 (-110) | +660 | UNDER 37.5 (-110) |
Odds as of December 22 at FanDuel
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Broncos vs Chiefs Week 17
The Broncos offense has been exceptional during their nine-game winning streak, with sophomore quarterback Bo Nix emerging as one of the AFC's most improved players. Denver ranks in the top 10 in scoring, averaging 28.6 points per game. Nix has thrown 23 touchdown passes this season with just 9 interceptions, completing 65.1% of his attempts. The Broncos already clinched their playoff berth in Week 15 with a dominant victory over Green Bay, but remain in contention for the AFC West title and potentially the conference's top seed.
Kansas City faces a historically dire situation after losing both Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew to torn ACLs in back-to-back weeks. Mahomes suffered his season-ending injury during Week 15's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, while Minshew tore his ACL on just the third play of Sunday's 26-9 loss to Tennessee. The Chiefs will now turn to Chris Oladokun, a 28-year-old career practice squad quarterback who threw his first career NFL pass in Week 16. Oladokun completed 11-of-16 passes for 111 yards against the Titans while being sacked four times, showing clear limitations against a 2-12 team. The seventh-round pick from the 2022 draft has spent his entire career bouncing between Kansas City's practice squad and active roster without ever starting a game until Christmas.
Denver's defense under coordinator Vance Joseph has been equally impressive, ranking 3rd in the NFL in points allowed per game. The unit features elite pass rusher Nik Bonitto (11.5 sacks) and All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II. The Broncos' defensive front should generate overwhelming pressure against a Chiefs offensive line now protecting a third-string quarterback making his first career start on a short week. With only one practice before Thursday's game, Oladokun will have minimal time to prepare for Denver's aggressive defense that has recorded 58 sacks this season.
The matchup dynamics have shifted dramatically since the schedule was announced in May. What was expected to be a potential division-deciding Christmas Night thriller has become one of the most lopsided matchups of the season. Kansas City's offense managed just 9 points against Tennessee's defense, and now faces a significantly more talented Denver unit on a short week. The talent gap should be insurmountable on Christmas.
Broncos vs Chiefs Week 17 Pick: Broncos -13.5 (-110)
Broncos vs Chiefs Props Week 17
Courtland Sutton OVER 65.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
Courtland Sutton enters Christmas Day as Bo Nix's most reliable downfield weapon, averaging 63.3 yards per game this season with 886 receiving yards on 63 receptions through 14 games. The veteran wideout has been particularly dominant in recent weeks, recording 113 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay in Week 15 while consistently drawing double-digit targets in critical matchups. Sutton's chemistry with Nix has steadily improved throughout the season, as the second-year quarterback has developed trust in his top receiver on deep routes and third-down conversions. In their Week 11 meeting against Kansas City, Sutton caught 5 receptions for 68 yards, demonstrating his ability to produce against this defense.
The matchup against Kansas City's depleted defense presents an excellent opportunity for Sutton to exceed this yardage total. Sutton profiles as the primary beneficiary of increased passing volume as Denver looks to keep their offense sharp heading into the playoffs. With the Chiefs eliminated from playoff contention and dealing with unprecedented quarterback injuries on a short week, the veteran receiver should comfortably surpass 65.5 yards on Christmas night.
Pick made as of Dec. 22.
Broncos vs Chiefs Betting Trends
- Denver is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games against Kansas City.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 5 games against Denver.
- Denver is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games.
