Denver @ Kansas City preview
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Last Meeting ( Oct 29, 2023 ) Kansas City 9, Denver 24
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes kept the Kansas City Chiefs perfect with an overtime win against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday.
While Mahomes is dealing with a sore left ankle, he insists it won't be a concern Sunday as the unbeaten Chiefs host the Denver Broncos.
"When you have a little bit of a roll, it's a little bit sore," Mahomes said of his ankle ailment, which he aggravated on Monday. "But I'm able to move around and look forward to getting out to practice and seeing how I can push it as the week goes on."
Kareem Hunt scored a 2-yard touchdown run in OT to give the Chiefs a 30-24 victory and cap a 106-yard day on the ground.
Despite hobbling off the field against Tampa Bay due to the ankle injury that first occurred a week earlier, Mahomes went 34-for-44 for 291 yards and three touchdowns.
Recent acquisition DeAndre Hopkins had eight receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns while tight end Travis Kelce enjoyed his biggest game of the season, catching 14 passes for 100 yards.
Now Kansas City will take aim at AFC West rival Denver (5-4). Off to an 8-0 start for the third time in franchise history, the Chiefs enter with a 14-game winning streak dating to last year, including the postseason.
With Mahomes' mobility possibly in question due to the ankle issue, the quality of the footing on the field might turn into an issue on Sunday. Not only is there a chance of rain this weekend in Kansas City, but the game will follow a Saturday college contest between Kansas and Iowa State at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Jayhawks are playing four games in Kansas City, Mo., this season (plus two in Kansas City, Kan.) as their campus venue in Lawrence, Kan., is renovated.
Kansas City boasts a stranglehold on the recent series with Denver, earning victories in 16 of the past 17 matchups since 2015. The only Broncos win in that span was the latest meeting, a 24-9 decision in October 2023 at Denver.
Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix already figured to face an uphill climb in a hostile environment against the two-time reigning Super Bowl champs. The challenge could accelerate given the Chiefs' successes against first-year signal-callers. Since 2019, Kansas City is 11-1 versus such passers, losing only to the Los Angeles Chargers' Justin Herbert during that run.
"I think these games are fun because there's a level of excitement, a level of passion going into the game," Nix said. "Again, I go back: These are the games you grew up watching and dreaming about playing, and so if you're not ready for these games, you probably don't belong in the league."
With Baltimore Ravens counterpart Lamar Jackson posting a perfect 158.3 passer rating last week, Nix nearly was assured to look flawed by comparison. Nix passed for 223 yards and an interception in Denver's 41-10 road defeat but caught a touchdown pass on a trick play.
"There are still so many learning moments for him," Denver coach Sean Payton said. "In other words, each week is another classroom, another test, and I like the way he's progressing. I like the poise after each series and after the game. You feel his maturity."
The Chiefs will be without wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) on Sunday. Defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (knee) was a limited practice participant on Friday and was listed as questionable for the game.
Two Broncos will be sidelined on Sunday: safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles). Center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) was considered questionable.
--Field Level Media